Payton

This is the happy ending story for Payton. When my roommate told me he was moving out and taking his dog with him, I started looking for a friend for the Dalmatian I already had. Cash, my original Dalmatian, is the best, most loving dog I have ever had, so I decided to go on the internet to find a Dalmatian rescue. When I got to the page with the pictures and stories, I found one that would be a perfect fit for us. His name at the time was Egypt, and he had been abused and was incredibly shy from what I heard from Beth. Cash is a social butterfly so I knew the shyness wouldn't take long to get over. I went down to Payton's foster home, I knew he was my dog. He came right up to me even though I had been warned that he never walked up to anyone right away. When the three of us got home, Payton was so scared he didn't move all night. 

The next day we started socializing. Everyday for  week I would bring him to work so he could get used to being petted. He tried to hide the first couple of times, then he realized it was alright. He followed Cash everywhere from the first day. Cash would walk up to people to be petted, and Payton just followed. I was told not to expect too much too soon, but Payton exceeded even my high expectations. Within a week he would go slowly to people with Cash leading, and within two weeks, he was walking up to people all on his own. I think Cash showed him that not everyone is going to abuse you, and will actually be nice and pet you. The big test was May 5 when we had our Doggie Day at the pool. There were 150 dogs and close to 300 people he was exposed to. I had only had Payton for three months so I had no idea how he would do. At first he was really scared, but Cash led him up to people until Payton realized he could do it on his own. The people I work with were amazed at how far he had come in just three short months. He instantly wagging his tail, and comes when he is called. He is now very rarely on a leash, and expects everybody to pet him. I knew Cash and I could get Payton past his fear of people, I just had no idea it would happen as soon as it has.  I was not sure I would be able to write this as soon as I had, or as positive as I have. Thanks to the rescue for allowing me to give a very needy dog a safe, happy home where he can be himself and develop a personality that does not include any fear of people.

Shelley