Sweet Blimpy urgently needs a loving owner

"Blimpy has been in the Refugio for almost three years now, and I really want to make sure she gets some extra attention." So writes one of the students who has build a relationship with Blimpy and got to know her.

She writes ....

"This sweet girl with her special gray color has already been in the shelter for a long time and she urgently needs a loving owner. When Blimpy came into the Refugio she was terrified of people. For a long time she refused to go near them and she crawled away in a corner if they approached. 

As the weeks and the months went by Blimpy would only leave her cage when it had to be cleaned. She's stay right outside and quickly go back into her familiar corner. No human hand was going to hurt her any more but this also meant that no human hand could stroke her so she couldn't learn what it's like to be loved. Blimpy survives in the shelter .... yes she survives ... but that won't help her gain confidence ... Blimpy must not only "survive" but to live life like a dog should live as God in France. And for that Blimpy needs help. Help from an owner who will show Blimpy the good side of life.

Blimpy is still very shy towards people but has already improved a lot. If you approach her she makes herself small and stiffens but lets them come towards her. When I entered the Refugio I took Blimpy out for a few hours. I took her out of her cage, away from the noise to a quiet place. Blimpy was very cautious on the lead, constantly looking around anxiously. Step by step, without forcing her, I took her outside the refugio to the playground, the big field. 

I'm sat down and I talked to her gently for more than an hour, with an occasional pat on her head. Slowly the look in Blimpy's eyes changed. First very anxious and then a look of astonishment. Blimpy relaxed little by little and after a while she even followed me around the pasture. This was to Blimpy a real revelation. At one point she was even able to just close her eyes and enjoy the fresh breeze and the sun that shone down on her beautiful gray coat and warmed her. It was therefore very difficult for me to put her back in her cage afterwards. 

I have also decided to make it my job to find her a suitable owner. Blimpy needs a gentle approach from someone who wants to give her time to unwind. Blimpy has always lived with other dogs and for fearful dogs like Blimpy, another dog in the family would be a real added value. Another confident dog would give Blimpy support and will help her to quickly see that life can be beautiful. A life that should start soon for Blimpy ....

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Blimpy - enjoying the sun

Gaining confidence