Meet Doris.

Doris is roughly 11 months old, a little under 40 lbs. She probably won't get much bigger though she still has a bit of filling out to do (she was only skin and bones when she first arrived here). Doris is spayed, microchipped, and current on shots. When you get to know her, she is one of the most endearing dogs you will ever meet.

Doris' story is a long one. It still isn't complete, but we hope it ends with all the happiness this very sweet & loving girl deserves.

Doris' History
Doris began her life in Taiwan. She is an example of canine loyalty and devotion to a person that didn't deserve it. Doris' owner in Taiwan was not a responsible man. He kept her in an area that was so damp that Doris developed a skin disease. But the owner didn't have Doris treated. Eventually the owner moved out of town and left her behind.

Doris is quite hand-shy with strangers so we think her previous owner may have raised his hand towards her many times. Despite the uncaring and possibly harsh treatment she received, Doris waited at the gate all day long, watching eagerly for her owner's return. The kind neighbors left food and water for her but she didn't touch it for days and was seemingly melancholy and depressed. Late last year, there were storms and Doris stood in the rain for hours looking in the direction where her owner used to go.

A neighbor finally called The Animal Rescue Team in Taiwan for help because the new owner of the house didn't like dogs. The rescuers took Doris to the vet where she was boarded and her skin disease was treated for over a month. Doris is now back to health.

These are pictures of Doris while still in Taiwan, immediately prior to her flight to the Bay Area on January 19.

Doris' Arrival
When Doris arrived at our home, she was quite scared. The traumatic overseas flight had left its impact on a shy, sensitive dog already overwhelmed at being in a completely new environment, surrounded by completely new people. Knowing her confusion and seeing her withdrawn from us out of fear and uncertainty twisted my heart. She was so afraid that we couldn't even approach her without her running to hide in her crate. This dog probably did not know a lot of love at her old home, but at least it was a familiar place to her. Now, she didn't even have that. She must have been feeling absolutely lost and terrified, and I'll admit I shed quite a few tears those first couple of days. I wondered, somewhat hopelessly, if she would ever come out of her shell.

But I didn't give enough credit to Doris' indomitable spirit. During those first few days, I didn't make any demands on Doris at all nor did I force my attention on her, except to give her treats. I never reached out to touch her, did not even look her in the eye because to a shy dog, those actions are threatening. I didn't insist that she go outside to the backyard with me, though I did try to use treats to entice her to. I gave her toys and some of my dirty clothes so she could get used to my scent. I left potty pads beside her crate because she was too timid to venture much beyond that, and if she had an accident in the house, it was no big deal. That she didn't want to interact with me or our other dogs and preferred to watch us from the safety of her crate was something I respected. And by the third day, it all paid off a thousand-fold as I finally started to see the true Doris, a wonderful, adorable, most lovable and goofy dog.

Less than 24 hours after my last bout of despair over Doris' plight, she shocked and delighted me by approaching me, gently sniffing my hand, and following me around the house (something she still does to this day). Outwardly, I showed no reaction to this, I didn't even pet her as I longed to do, thinking it might still be too soon, but inwardly, my heart sang a song of relief, gratitude and joy.

We spent some time alone together so she could get a bit more comfortable with me, and then I introduced our own 2 dogs to her. At first, Doris immediately ran to hide in her crate again and softly growled her uncertainty at these newcomers, but it wasn't long before she came out and started to sniff and follow them around. And so began Doris' transformation.

Doris Today
It's obvious that Doris was never properly socialized. Most likely she was something of a backyard dog that never got to experience much beyond the limited confines of her space. Everything was new to Doris. Walks, playing with other dogs, car rides, simple affection. And what is new is often scary at first, but Doris has made great strides. She used to be afraid to go on walks but now loves them and does very well on leash. Same with car rides. She is learning that good things can come from strangers as we go to shopping centers and pet stores and strangers give her treats, though she is still hand-shy with them and will jump if they raise their hand to pet her. It is extremely important that Doris continues to receive socialization to help her become the best dog possible.

Doris is generally timid with new dogs at first but it usually doesn't take her long to warm up to them, and then it's play, play, play! Too many new dogs at once may overwhelm her, but we have had several dogs come and go in our home and she has loved to play with all of them. Ironically enough, although our own 2 dogs are much more confident and socialized to other dogs, it was Doris who initially drew out another intensely shy dog we fostered and engaged her in play for the first time. Doris is a submissive dog and will tend to look to one of the other dogs for guidance in a new situation. Because of this, I think she would do extremely well with another dog in the household, one that is confident and well-adjusted to serve as her mentor and example.

It did not take long at all for me to win Doris' complete trust. When that happened, she became my constant companion. If I leave a room in the house, she gets up and goes with me. She is still somewhat wary of my boyfriend because he is a man and quite tall, 2 characteristics that often intimidate shy dogs. She nuzzles and licks him when he is sitting or laying down, but when he is standing, she sometimes backs away a bit from him. I expect that it will take quite a bit longer for her to get completely comfortable with men.

Doris does not really have many bad habits. She is very well-behaved and not destructive, though she's been known to pull the stuffing out of her toys. She is crate-trained and has historically slept in a crate in our bedroom at night and has also been crated when nobody is home, though we are becoming more lax about that now that we are more familiar with her habits. She is almost housetrained now but may need a refresher course in her new environment.

Adopting Doris
There's no way for me to completely express how grateful I am to have had Doris in my life for even a brief period of time. Anyone who has ever worked with a shy dog will know the immense joy that comes from the smallest improvements. Things that we often take for granted in other dogs become victories. I feel blessed to have witnessed and to have been an instrument to the beginning of Doris' blossoming, to have loved her and felt that love reflected back with a blinding intensity. To watch her simply be the happy and carefree young dog she was meant to be fills me with pride and gratitude.

Anyone who adopts Doris will need to expect a transition period at the beginning of which she will probably be nervous of you and back away. This can last from a few days to a couple of weeks--she'll get comfortable with women faster than she will with men. She needs to be given her space during this time and just allowed the opportunity to watch you do your own thing. Giving her treats often will be a big advantage. When she sees that no harm will come from you, she will approach you when she is ready, and soon after you will find yourself sharing your life with a most playful, goofy, loyal, and simply wonderful dog.

As a foster parent, handing a dog over to an adopter is never an easy thing emotionally. It is even harder to do with a shy dog because the bonds forged with such a dog tend to run deeper. It would be nice if Doris' adopter lived next door so I could see her every day, but given the unlikelihood of that, I'd settle for someone who will love her, care for her, and appreciate her as much as I have come to. Someone who will be patient, forgiving, and gentle during the initial period as Doris gets to know her new environment and learns to trust her new family. And after that happens, someone who will be dedicated enough to continue her socialization so that the fear she has known will eventually become a distant memory.

Because of Doris' wariness towards strangers, she unfortunately does not give the best first impression and has often been overlooked for adoption. I can't complain because it's provided me with more time to be with her, and that has been a gift. But for the person or family willing to allow her a little time to get completely comfortable with you, Doris will reward you will with a lifetime of loyalty, laughter, and unconditional love. It may take a little more time and effort on your part, but when it happens, she will give you her heart completely, and you'll find that somewhere along the way, you have done the same to her.

These are 3 videos of Doris being Doris. This is not the Doris you will see at initial meeting, but this is the dog she will become if given the chance.