Alexandra Sava made a small air hole in the tightly wrapped white cloth bag. Only then did she lift it, carry it indoors and wait until she reached a secure room before opening it fully. Inside was a dog who appeared disoriented, nervous and barely willing to move.
Sava, founder of the Romanian rescue Sava’s Safe Haven, had been cleaning kennels when the resident dogs began barking at a car outside. The people in the car asked the rescue to accept a dog who, they said, had belonged to a family member who had recently died. Neither person could keep her. When they directed Sava to the bag, her first concern was immediate and practical. “I made a little hole for the dog to breathe,” she said.
Sava did not release the dog beside the car. Concerned that the frightened animal might bolt and disappear, she carried the closed bag into the facility and opened it in a contained indoor space. That decision gave an already unsettled dog fewer opportunities to flee into another unfamiliar environment.
A microchip scan established that the dog was 9 years old. Sava named her Lica. Although Lica’s arrival and near-motionless behavior reflected obvious distress, no major physical health problems were identified. She still needed to be vaccinated and spayed. “She’s healthy. She’s not a sick dog, but she’s very afraid in the shelter,” Sava said.
Why a quiet transition matters
A dog who moves very little after an abrupt surrender cannot be fully understood from that behavior alone. Dogs respond differently to new people, sounds, smells and surroundings, and the reason for fearful behavior is often unknown. The Wisconsin Humane Society’s guidance for fearful dogs recommends beginning with a quiet, low-traffic room supplied with food, water and a resting place, then limiting unfamiliar people and experiences while the dog decompresses.
The amount of time required varies by dog. Giving a fearful animal room to move away—and allowing interaction to happen by choice rather than through pressure—can help reduce stress. Rushing that process, by contrast, may deepen fear. Owners dealing with persistent or escalating fearful behavior should seek help from a veterinarian, positive-reinforcement trainer or veterinary behaviorist.
Sava’s initial handling of Lica also reflects a basic safety concern: fear can contribute to escape attempts. A secure room creates a physical barrier at the precise moment when a newly arrived dog’s reactions may be difficult to predict. Microchip registration and current identification can improve the chances of a safe return if a dog does get loose, but preventing that escape remains the first protection.
For Lica’s first several days at the rescue, Sava kept her apart from the other dogs. The separation was intended to prevent the busy shelter environment from becoming even more overwhelming. It also allowed staff to focus on whether she was beginning to eat and drink normally.
Separation does not mean another dog can never become a companion. It gives the newcomer time before that question has to be answered. Maddie’s Fund recommends gradual, controlled introductions, with unfamiliar dogs meeting one at a time, initially at a safe distance. Brief greetings, close attention to body language and breaks between interactions can keep early encounters manageable. Dogs should remain separated when no one is supervising until it is clear they are comfortable together.
Those principles offer context, not a prediction for Lica. Her reluctance to move did not establish how she would behave after days, weeks or months in the rescue. Her age did not guarantee either a quick adjustment or a difficult one.
Sava expected the transition to take several months. At the time, Lica remained at Sava’s Safe Haven, separated from the other dogs and not yet ready for an adoptive home. The immediate hopes were smaller: regular food and water, less fear and enough quiet for a 9-year-old dog to begin finding her footing again. Have you ever adopted a dog with a story like this? Share it in the comments.
By Jake Patterson — Freelance feature writer and former animal-shelter volunteer focused on rescue, adoption, and second-chance dog stories.
