Small Breed Rescue of East Tennessee

SBRET knows there is a home out there for Kelly. It's a special home though - one in which she can be given more time to heal from the scars left by spending five years in a puppy mill. We rescued Kelly in March 2009, and she is a 6 year old female Chihuahua. At the time, she was shut-down psychologically. She hid, frozen in the back of a crate and would stay that way for hours. If she was brought out and held, she would shake and drool, her eyes wild with fear. Eight months later, she is a different dog but still needs help.

Kelly has many positive qualities. She bonds with people. She wags her tail, is excited to see you and invites you to play. She enjoys sitting in your lap and taking a nap. Other small dogs are a comfort to Kelly, and she will follow their lead. Kelly has a good appetite and will take special treats from your hand. We walk for a couple miles a day as long as there are other dogs with her. She is trained to potty on pee-pads. If someone is at the door, she will let you know about it! At night, she sleeps quietly in her crate.

More than anything, Kelly WANTS the love and attention that she sees showered on other dogs. She just can't come to you to receive it. Whenever you approach her, she runs the other way and she cowers when you try to pick her up. This has been the MAJOR obstacle to finding her a home. She is a very fearful dog. However, she has never snapped at anyone, ever. Everything she eats is from our hands to teach her that our hands are good and safe (thank goodness she's a fast eater!). We have taught her the word "lift" when we are picking her up to reassure her.

Kelly needs a home that will accept her limitations BUT also sees her potential for continued healing. We don't want anyone to give up on her and allow her to withdraw from the world. She needs a kind heart that will always try to do what is best for her. We've met so many kind hearts through this work of rescuing dogs that we just know there is a home out there for Kelly.

If you would like to discuss Kelly further, please give us a call. A home with other small dogs is required. Kelly's adoption fee is $175.