New Jersey Dog Was Too Scared To Walk Until He Met A Family Who Changed Everything
Faith was just a young pittie mix, barely a year and a half old, when life threw her a curveball.
She gave birth to a litter of puppies, and instead of love, her humans banished her to the backyard.
There, stuck in a dirty crate, Faith knew only fear and loneliness. The world felt big, loud, and impossible.
Thankfully, a kind neighbor noticed her and stepped in, setting off a chain of events that would change everything.
Through a network of rescues, Faith made her way to Happy Paws Rescue.
The staff at the rescue knew exactly what she needed: a foster who could understand her, handle her fears, and show her that the world wasn’t so scary after all.
That’s where Kaitlyn Marcinkowski came in. The moment Kaitlyn agreed to help, she was ready to do whatever it took, sharing in an interview:
“When [Happy Paws Rescue] asked if I could help, my answer was simple, ‘Can I get her tonight?’”
From the very first second, she treated Faith with tenderness. Instead of making the terrified dog walk into her new home, Kaitlyn carried her.
Faith’s little legs had been too scared to move, and Kaitlyn wasn’t about to force her, as she shared:
“Carrying her started as a way to help. She was often too scared to walk, and we weren’t going to force her to.”
The crate she had been locked in for weeks became her safe space, and it took time to even think about leaving it.
The first few days were hard. Faith shook around people and wouldn’t even go to the bathroom.
Every sound, every movement made her jump. Her tail was tucked tightly between her legs, as if she had done something wrong, even though she hadn’t. Kaitlyn added:
“It broke my heart to see such a sweet girl so scared of the world.”
Kaitlyn’s mission was simple: patience, love, and positive reinforcement. Faith could set the pace, and Kaitlyn would follow.
Slowly, little by little, Faith began to trust. Four days in, she jumped up on the bed for the first time, ready for snuggles.
Carrying her had helped her feel safe, and now she could start exploring on her own, as Kaitlyn shared:
“Now she hops on the bed, striking her best little pick-me-up pose.”
Playtime in the yard was no longer terrifying. Rolling on the grass, soaking up belly rubs, wagging her tail… Faith was starting to have fun.
Faith’s personality is blossoming every day. She’s learning how great walks and playtime can be, and she shows off her silly, goofy side whenever she can.
Sharing a video of this cutie on her Instagram, Kaitlyn jokes that anyone adopting Faith should be ready for “50 pounds of princess energy.”
And honestly, after everything Faith has been through, she deserves someone who can match her heart and her courage.
Faith started out so scared and alone, abandoned in a crate, not knowing who to trust or what the world had in store.
Now, she’s a totally different pup. She’s confident, happy, and full of personality.
She’s proof that even the most frightened, shy dogs can learn to love again, and that the right care, patience, and kindness can completely transform a life.
