Abused Dog Finds Hope After Isolation and Trauma

Harry used to be a stray dog, wandering the streets of a small town in China. It has been a year since her owner took her in, but Harry still hasn’t overcome the scars of her past. She spends most of her time in her room, curled up in a corner, completely motionless. A closer look reveals signs of past abuse, both physical and emotional. So, is there any hope for Harry to trust again?

At first glance, Harry seems like a dog that’s simply afraid of people. Every time she sees someone, she freezes, as if paralyzed by fear. Even when her name is called, she doesn’t respond, too frightened to move. Her owner described it as, “She won’t come out, not ever. She stays in that room all day, doing nothing but hiding in the corner…”

Despite being adopted a year ago, Harry has yet to form a bond with her new family. Her owner tried everything, including making her chicken soup and leaving it near her room, hoping she would eat when no one was around. But even with no one present, Harry still didn’t show any emotion or interest.

A production crew from Kritter Klub, a well-known YouTube channel in China, visited to document Harry’s story and try to help. They set up a camera and left the area, giving Harry space to act on her own. After a long wait, Harry cautiously approached the food, but her body language was stiff and nervous. Just as she was about to eat, another dog barked, startling her, and she retreated back into her room, staying there for hours, even as darkness fell.

The next day, her owner decided to try something different. “It’s a beautiful day today,” she said. “I want to take her outside for some fresh air. Let’s go for a walk, Harry, let’s go!” Her owner hoped this would help her feel more comfortable and get her moving, but it was clear that Harry’s fear was deep-rooted.

Her owner reflected, “It’s so hard to understand Harry’s thoughts. What happened to her that made her so terrified of people? I first saw her on the streets a year ago, looking lost and anxious. It seemed like she had run away from something, and even after a year, those scars haven’t healed.”

The production team brought along a veterinarian to assess Harry’s condition. The vet immediately noticed how anxious Harry was, even before making any physical contact. “Her heart is racing,” the vet observed. “She looks calm, but she’s actually terrified. Her heart is pounding, and she can’t even look at me. She’s not running away, but she’s holding it in.” Despite her fears, the vet confirmed that Harry’s health was fine. What she needed most was to get out of her room and back into the world.

The vet pointed out that Harry’s black house was providing her emotional comfort, but it was also creating a barrier between her and the outside world. “I think the first step is to remove the house. It’s too solid, too safe, and it’s trapping her in her own world,” he explained. The production crew agreed and jumped in to help.

The vet also suggested that it would be better to carry Harry rather than using a leash, as this would make her feel less threatened. As they carefully lifted her from her safe space, Harry was visibly anxious. She was so nervous that she had an accident, peeing herself. But her owner stayed by her side the whole time, offering comfort and reassurance.

With constant companionship, Harry gradually began to feel less scared. She no longer trembled when someone tried to touch her. “I’ll be with her whenever I have time. I’ll stay by her side and be her friend. I’m going to help her become a happy little dog,” her owner said with hope.

Now, Harry is starting to trust again. She looks at her owner with more understanding, and there’s a glimmer of hope in her eyes. It’s clear that her traumatic memories still linger, but with love and patience, her healing journey is beginning.

Just like Harry, there are countless other abandoned dogs suffering from painful memories, dogs that were once loved but later discarded. We hope that one day there will be no more abandoned pets, and that every dog can feel safe, loved, and cherished.