For most dogs, an open door means an exciting chance to explore their surroundings. But for a fragile ten-month-old pup in Hawaii, that exact threshold represents a terrifying obstacle. A moving Instagram video uploaded by volunteer @cassondra.christman shows a sweet shelter dog named Dolly who completely freezes whenever it is time to leave her safe kennel. The poor puppy arrived at the Maui Humane Society two months ago. And she is still completely overwhelmed by the world. As the volunteer says, she honestly just needs a patient person to help her heal.
Shelter dog ‘terrified’ of the outside world freezes at the kennel door, refuses to leave
The video opens with Dolly lying flat across the concrete floor while wearing her walking leash. She completely refuses to budge. But her tail gives a gentle wag when a volunteer kneels down in front of her. She looks around nervously and she only stretches her neck forward to grab a few treats.
The handler sits flat on the floor to coax the scared shelter dog out of her kennel. Slowly, Dolly takes a few brave steps towards the volunteer, even if just for more treats. And that is what is required for Dolly, someone who will meet her where she is and won’t rush her healing.
Next, she manages to spend a few minutes relaxing on a sunny green patch of grass in the yard. But she gets overwhelmed fast, so the volunteer eventually carries her back inside in her arms. We learn more about Dolly from the post’s caption. She loves toys and gets along with other dogs. Cassondra shared that Dolly has “liked every dog she’s met, and an outgoing dog would really help her blossom in a home.”
Dolly is also currently on anti-anxiety medication and is a flight risk who can jump fences. So she will go to her new home or a foster with a tracking collar. The post gained hundreds of likes from invested viewers. One comment noted that she just needs the security of her own space. Her forever family is out there; they just need to come find her at the Maui Humane Society.
