North Carolina Dog Labeled Aggressive Saved From Euthanasia By Hero

How many incredible dogs, full of love and potential, are overlooked — never given the chance to show who they truly are?

Dogs like Mulan remind us of all the misunderstood souls unfairly labeled as “aggressive” or “reactive,” when in reality they’re just longing for safety and care.

This gentle girl from North Carolina nearly lost her life, standing on the edge of euthanasia simply because her traumatic past had taught her to build walls of protection around herself.

You can’t really blame her, right? Life had been rough, and her way of dealing with it was to keep everyone away.

She was called “severely reactive,” a label that often leads to a dog’s fate being sealed in a busy shelter. She barked at everyone, sending a clear message to “stay away,” and wouldn’t let anyone come close to her kennel. 

To the stressed shelter staff, it seemed like the only choice was to let her go forever. It’s a harsh truth, and it makes you think about how many other dogs are judged for their fear and anxiety instead of being given a chance to heal.

But just when it looked like all hope was lost, a true hero appeared. Martha Moore, the vice president of Friends of Guilford County Animal Shelter, learned about Mulan’s situation. 

A volunteer from another shelter reached out in desperation, pleading for help for this dog. Without a second thought, Martha stepped in, especially after learning that Mulan hadn’t stepped outside her kennel in 13 days.

By the end of that very day, Mulan had to leave the shelter or face euthanasia. The situation was critical, and time was running out.

Martha immediately drove to the shelter, determined to give her a chance. For two hours, she sat patiently, trying to build trust with the terrified dog. Mulan was nervous, withdrawn, and clearly overwhelmed.

But Martha’s gentle persistence slowly began to break through the walls Mulan had built. Inch by inch, Mulan started to relax, until finally, she allowed Martha to slip a leash over her. That small act marked a monumental step — she was free from the kennel and heading to a home where she could begin healing.

The first few days in her new foster home were still difficult. Mulan was cautious and trying to adjust to her unfamiliar surroundings. 

She also acted out, which was a sign of her anxiety and fear. One day, she completely destroyed a room, and when Martha found her, Mulan looked scared, as if she expected to be punished. 

But Martha, being the amazing foster mom she is, did something different instead. She sat down on the floor, ignored the mess, and offered Mulan a treat.

That simple act of kindness and understanding was a big turning point for both of them.

For the first time, Mulan approached Martha and started giving her sweet kisses. It was like a wall had come down, and all the love she had inside was finally coming out. 

From that moment on, Mulan’s behavior got much better. She began to trust Martha and opened her heart to her foster family and her new home in North Carolina.

In just two weeks, this adorable pup changed into a whole new dog! At first, she was a bit shy around new people, but she quickly started to socialize much better than before. 

It seemed like she was realizing that not everyone was a danger and that there are kind people out there. As Martha shared in the video:

“Mulan is a sensitive girl and needs about 15 minutes to warm up to new people. Once you give her time to get comfortable, you’ll have a friend for life.”

And that’s true! Beneath her tough shell, there was a loyal and loving friend just waiting for someone to look beyond her fears.

She even allowed her foster mom to give her belly rubs and hugs, just like she does with her other dogs. These little moments of affection really show how much Mulan has grown. Martha wrote on Facebook:

“Mulan loves playing with other dogs, shares her toys and food/water bowls nicely, and even gets along with cats! The perfect package.”

After two months of love, patience, training, and plenty of cuddles, Mulan had blossomed into a completely different dog — ready to embrace a brand-new chapter in her life.

And the best part? She found the family she had been waiting for all along. A family willing to give her the compassion, patience, and unconditional love she had always deserved.

Now surrounded by warmth and care, Mulan is sure to fill her new home with joy, proving that second chances can truly change everything.