Traumatized Rescue Greyhound Can't Sleep Without Cuddling Stuffed Pink Bunny and It's Precious
The reason so many Greyhounds need to be rescued compared to other breeds is due to the predatory and unethical practices that arise from the dog racing industry. Dogs who don’t make it as racers are either euthanized or left homeless, and dogs that do perform as racers are “retired” at only three or four years old. This creates a massive population of dogs act are largely dumped on volunteer networks tasked with finding them a place to land—no matter what it is they have been through before.
For this traumatized rescue dog, life has not been easy. She was used and abused for breeding purposes, but has finally found a gentle, forever home. Still, she can’t sleep at night without her little stuffed bunny.
“Three months ago when Poppy was first adopted from the racing industry she cried during the night,” explain her new parents in the caption on the sweet video, which you can see here. “She would get up every night and walk around the house with little cries. We weren’t sure why she was doing it but we knew that with time and lots of love she would feel safe and comfortable in her new home.”
Related: Greyhound Visits Beach for the First Time and Totally Can't Hang
In order to help Poppy adjust and feel less alone, they opted for the same method which can help soothe a frightened toddler: a “transitional object” like a soft stuffed animal to cuddle.
What Is a Transitional Object?
A transitional object or comfort object is the psychological term for a soft, cuddly, huggable object that a child might use for comfort when they are not in their caregiver’s arms. Think Linus’s security blanket from Peanuts or any baby’s stuffed teddy. These objects have been used since time immemorial with human children, and they also come in handy for other mammals who are in rough circumstances—even laboratory scientists have discovered that their caged animals do better when given comfort objects. Similarly, pet shelters are always requesting old towels and blankets for their residents.
For Poppy, adjusting to a new place meant a lot of anxiety, and that stuff bunny just might have made the difference for her.
The 3-3-3 Rule
When it comes to pet rescue, many experts say that it takes time for a new dog to adjust to their surroundings after coming into your home. For the first three days, they may not even be able to relax, to sleep, to eat, or do anything other than hide in their crate. After three weeks, you will start to see glimpses of their true personality. This is also the time when they may feel comfortable enough to begin acting out. After three months, they will have a sense of security that they are, in fact, in their “forever home.”
It certainly worked for Poppy! After weeks and months of cuddling her bunny every night, she doesn’t need it as much anymore.
“Today, she is happy, confident and relaxed,” writes her new family. “Eating well, not as scared of new things and sleeping through the night. It takes time, but is worth every second. Greyhounds need homes. Please adopt!”
In the comments, people are amazed by the transformation. “Loving on exploited dogs is such a gift,” writes one person. “They need us and we need them right back.”
“If only every little soul in desperate need could find their way to such a loving family,” writes another.
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