'Red' Lives New, Carefree Life as 'Rusty' with Loving Family

A happy ending is really just the beginning for 'Red,' Monroe's beloved stray that got a second chance at life thanks to a community that banned together to rescue her this summer.

After several weeks of rehabilitation, Red was matched with a local couple, Bill and Lisa.  Bill kindly shared an update with Monroe Patch.

"We adopted Rusty (aka Red) last week and wanted to share with everyone how things are going. We live here in Monroe and have no children with a big home and fenced back yard. We have had many dogs over the years and have adopted several that were abused and neglected. Rusty has settled in nicely and is starting to put on some much needed weight. It's taken her several days to really open up and trust us. She still frightened of a lot of things around the house but as the days pass normalcy is helping her to relax.

"She's very afraid of thunder and wants to sit in dark quiet corners of the house when a storm comes through. It seems to help if we sit with her during these times petting her softly. We have also discovered that she has a significant hearing problem. This adds to her confusion and scared state. We have had deaf dogs in the past and are working with her through signs and signals, such as "come" and "time to eat" that she is quickly learning. 

"While she is starting to enjoy our company, often joining us in our activities around the house, her favorite time by far is "outside" time. Nothing gets her tail wagging more than going into the back yard and just being a dog. She trots and runs around or just sits in the sun soaking up the rays. She likes to chase squirrels and role in the grass. Rusty is still considered a "flight risk" so her outside time is limited and only under supervision....yuck! I know it sounds like prison...but we are looking forward to letting her come and go through the doggie door one day. We let her go out as much as she likes while we are home. For now she spends about 1-2 hours outside during the week and 4-5 on the weekend. 

"We are planning a trip to the vet in the next week or so to see if there is anything that can be done about her hearing, we could get lucky and her ears are just clogged up. While we are there she will get a chip implanted along with a normal check up."

Rusty's family also extends a big 'thank you' to Bliss Animal Haven in Loganville, the non-profit pet rescue organization that took her in after she was trapped by Walton County Animal Control.

Visit http://www.blissanimalhaven.org/ to learn more about other adotables waiting for their forever homes.