Rapuzel is my Bulgarian rescue dog.
I thought I would give you some of the background on my rescue dog, Rapunzel, and the progress we have made together so far. She drives me to improve my dog behaviour knowledge and understanding. Everything we learn together increases the bond we now have.
A bit of history.
From what I understand, and this is only my interpretation of the information I have, Rapunzel was living on the streets with her brother. The pair of them were reported to authorities as “troublemakers” because they approached people to try and get fed. In some ways they were lucky as a local lady and her son would feed them from time to time.
The pair of them ended up in the dog pound and had ears full of ticks. They were neutered and the ticks were treated, and the idea originally was that they would be returned to the lady and her son. But it became apparent that they would struggle with worrying about the dogs, and it was agreed that they would be kept in the dog pound.
Rapunzel: The First Time I Saw Her
Finding a home
At this point Break The Chains: for dogs Bulgaria stepped in to try and find them new homes. I was in a conversation with them regarding a potential project utilising my dog behaviour skills and documenting the re-homing / rehabilitation process, and helping other potential guardians overcoming the challenges involved in adopting a foreign rescue.
The dog I originally enquired about had just found a new home,so I was a bit disappointed. They had just posted a photograph of Rapunzel at the time. As soon as I saw her scruffy face I was smitten and knew I had found my new partner in crime!
Rapunzel: Late December 2023
New beginnings
Rapunzel arrived at the beginning of December 2023. She was terrified, and completely shut down. Her whole life had just been turned upside down. She had been driven across Europe and suddenly handed over to a strange man she had never met, speaking in a strange language, in a place she had never seen before. Everything sounded and smelt different. She had no idea of what the future would be.
Nearly eight months later and she is like a different dog.
Does she still get scared? Of course she does – and of things that would just seem silly to you and me. But she knows she is loved and has a safe home. She knows she will get fed every day. Her group of local doggy friends is increasing by the day, and she is learning how to play nicely with them.
Now she has an outlet for her “doggyness”, by sniffing and snuffling, watching the pigeons and gulls. She is slowly learning not to chase them (we are still working on the extreme reaction to cats!).
You can see more of Rapunzel’s journey on her Facebook page: “The Re-education of Countess Rapunzel Smelly-Bottom”
Need help with your dog? Whether a pedigree, a scruffy cross-breed or a terrified rescue, please contact me at coachingthedog.co.uk
Have a rescue from Break The Chains: For Dogs Bulgaria? You can find out about the special help we can provide right here.
If you are thinking about getting a dog, then please do consider a rescue dog.
I won’t lie, it’s not always easy. But then if you had been through what they have been through then you might be a struggle a bit at times too. But when that bond of trust finally gets there, they are most wonderful dogs you can ever share your life with.