We called her Agripina, thinking of “La Vulturi,” because she is a fighter and a symbol of resilience.
Agripina was found in this deplorable condition in a village in Prahova County. We couldn’t remain indifferent when we were asked for help.
We couldn’t know exactly what had happened to her, but we knew what we had: a dog showing two faces of the same coin – the coin of trauma. One face was almost permanent fear (especially of people), the other, aggression.
Whatever had happened to Agripina, it was clear that one or more people had harmed her. And in order for good to happen, she would need our patience and affection. Robert, especially – our dog trainer who visits the dogs three times a week – was ready to help her. Likewise, Anca, our veterinarian, was ready to heal her and transform Agripina into a true princess.
Agripina suffered from a generalized form of a parasitic disease, characterized by extensive lesions over almost her entire body, comedones, follicular cysts, papules, lichenification, alopecia, edema, and pain in the paws. The treatment was going to be long-term and consisted of anti-itch medication, antibiotics, antifungals, immunotherapy, vitamin supplements for skin and coat, solutions and shampoos, and a hypoallergenic diet.
At first, we couldn’t get near her at all. Even feeding her was an adventure. We began using a wooden “little hand” to give her food. After a long time, we managed to touch her, but she still had an extreme sensitivity to touch.
We began the road to healing with the first stage – the easier one – of medical treatments for her health. Who knows what trauma this little dog had endured that left her so afraid, but we did everything humanly possible to prove we were good people. We didn’t give up and, little by little, we succeeded.
The second stage, her desensitization, was long and difficult. She transitioned from the care of the vet to the shelter’s trainer, Robert. This is what we do in the Mesagerii Speranței (Messengers of Hope) desensitization program for abused dogs: we work with highly traumatized dogs using modern, non-aggressive methods, and sooner or later, they make remarkable progress.
We were confident our efforts would be rewarded and we were already dreaming of the day Agripina would roam freely through the shelter (so far she hadn’t left the clinic), or, why not, happily leave for her forever home.
After a while, Agripina’s progress became obvious and spectacular. One by one, we managed to take important steps in her emotional recovery.
From a dog that needed food to be left meters away or she would growl constantly, she reached a point where she relaxed enough to let us pet her head. We touched Agripina with our fingers. We stroked the fur that hadn’t been touched in so long. You can’t imagine how happy and proud we were of her!
Then, Robert took the first steps with her outside the shelter and on a leash, which was incredible for us. She was still quite scared, often seeking the protection of bushes or fences. But she learned to relax with Robert and Alexandra.
And although she still feared strangers, she had already made a few friends at the shelter whom she allowed to pet her – in rare, generous moments, even on her belly.
After nine hard months at the shelter, Agripina had come a long way. It felt symbolic – just like human childbirth takes nine months, so had Agripina’s rebirth. Yes, it’s a metaphor, but we truly feel that way: thanks to our combined efforts, we helped bring a new dog into the world.
The dog we couldn’t even approach, who we fed from a distance using a wooden hand, underwent the most spectacular transformation.
Agripina took one more huge step: she went for a walk in Tineretului Park! It was her first experience outside the shelter, and her reaction moved us deeply: curious, confident, happy to discover the world beyond the fences that had protected her for so long.
We succeeded. After months of patience, care, and love, Agripina has completely transformed. Today, Agripina is a fluffy, gorgeous, confident, gentle dog – perfectly adoptable.
Because yes, as we mentioned before, the third and final step in a true rescue is this: finding that soul a warm, loving family where they can feel welcomed and loved.
And now, even this last step is about to happen. For several months now, every weekend, Agripina has been visited by a wonderful family determined to give her a new life. This continuity, attention, and closeness gave her the confidence she so desperately needed.
Agripina’s transformation is living proof that when a soul is given time, patience, and love, it can bloom again.
Agripina has been given a new chance thanks to your generosity.
Your donations can help us save other innocent souls.
Speranța Foundation was founded in 1996 and, for more than two decades, we have done everything in our power for the welfare of our silent friends, especially for abandoned and suffering dogs.
