It is always heartbreaking when loving, loyal dogs end up in shelters because their families feel they can no longer care for them.
What makes it even more painful is that these animals do not understand why they are being left behind. In their minds, they may believe they did something wrong, which can lead to deep confusion and sadness.
That was the reality for Brisby, a gentle dog whose life changed suddenly when his owner in Texas decided to surrender him. She was expecting a baby and felt unable to manage a dog as well.
Still, Brisby’s story did not end there.
A Journey Across States
After spending a short time in a Texas shelter, a kind volunteer arranged for Brisby to move to a foster home in Florida. He stayed there for about a month before being relocated again, this time to Seattle.
That is where his challenges truly began. Brisby showed some behavioral issues that made potential adopters hesitant.
Lauren told GeoBeats Animals: “Unfortunately, he had some behavioral issues. I think they tried to get something out of his mouth and he snapped at them.”
Incidents like that can make adoption difficult, especially for dogs already struggling to adjust. Brisby was then moved to a training facility in California, where a devoted trainer named Diana worked hard to help him improve.
As his story spread, it reached a compassionate woman named Lauren, who felt a deep connection with him. She decided to give him the second chance he so clearly deserved.
Lauren’s adoption request was quickly approved. Living in Northern Virginia, she flew to California to meet Brisby and bring him home.
From the very beginning, things started to change. Lauren recalled: “When we first got him, my husband and I took it really slow.”
When they threw a ball for him for the first time, his excitement was undeniable. Brisby finally had people who wanted to play with him, and it showed.
Lauren soon noticed that Brisby’s paws had an unusual shape, which caused his nails to grow faster than normal. He was extremely uncomfortable having them touched.
She explained: “When we take him to the vet to get his nails trimmed, they do have to fully sedate him in order to get that done which is about once a month.”
Lauren also observed that Brisby flinches whenever something is thrown near him, even harmless toys, a behavior that still puzzles them.
Learning To Trust Again
Brisby enjoys the company of children, but because of his sensitivities, Lauren has to be careful when they interact with him. Even so, he gets along well with most people and with the family’s other dogs.
He still deals with separation anxiety, so his family is helping him cope with patience, medication, and consistent training. Their goal is to help him feel calm and secure, even when they are away.
Through it all, Lauren remains deeply thankful for Brisby. She cannot imagine her home without him.
In her words: “He is a really good dog. He wants to be a good dog, we just have to work around his quirks for sure.”
Thanks to her compassion and understanding, Brisby finally knows what it feels like to be loved and accepted.
