Taking in Maddie was meant to be a short-term foster arrangement, but it turned into something so much more. Her quiet resilience and those expressive eyes won me over completely. Day by day, I watched her grow, from a timid little shadow into a confident, happy pup.
I opened my home to foster, but she opened my heart to forever

Meet Maddie, formerly known as Mary.

I’m proud to call her my little girl, even if she’s not so little anymore!

She was just one and a half months old when she was found alone on the streets, facing a world full of fear and uncertainty. Vera’s rescue wasn’t simply saving her; it was opening the door to a brand-new life. A life where love, security, and kindness could rewrite this little girl’s fate. She brought her in to the shelter, ensured she was vaccinated, cleaned, tested for illnesses and set her on the road to recovery.

I volunteered with DNV Save Animals for quite some time, managing website content and posts to help find new homes for rescues. From first-hand experience, let me tell you, they carry out their work with true integrity. The dogs are always at the forefront, guided by genuine love.

Initially, there was no interest in Maddie. I’m not entirely sure why; maybe she just didn’t catch people’s attention right away. Call me biased, perhaps, but surely your heart melts too when you see those puppy dog eyes?! They were looking for a foster placement for her, and at the time, I already had two rescue dogs, Buddy and Lucy.

As I write this now, our beloved Buddy has crossed the rainbow bridge. I’m grateful Maddie got to meet him; they formed a special bond that’s now part of our most cherished memories. I wasn’t quite sure how introducing a new pup would go, so I agreed to foster Maddie to see how the dynamic of a new addition would work. I’m sure you’re expecting me to say this, but it only took a week before we knew we couldn’t part ways with her.

Maddie fit right in from the start. Buddy and Lucy took to her immediately. We made sure to give Maddie her own space to settle in while slowly introducing her to Lucy and Buddy, something I think is really important to mention. Maddie is a ball of sass in the best possible way; a super intelligent and loving girl, not just with us but with our whole family.

Maddie has her minor quirks, some perhaps learned, others simply part of who she is. Her parents were likely street dogs, and like any pup, she would have learned the ropes of survival from them. She is wary of strangers, and honestly, after being let down and discarded like rubbish, I wouldn’t expect anything less. Any rescue needs time to build trust, and that’s something you must be prepared for and patient with.

We worked with a local dog behaviourist who specialised in international rescue and rehoming. She offered guidance and practical tips on how to introduce Maddie to new experiences and how best to support her training. It’s something I highly recommend to anyone considering taking on a rescue pup. The support is beneficial for both you and the dog.

It didn’t take Maddie long to start overcoming her fear. With the right understanding and by allowing everything to happen on her terms, with just a little encouragement from us, she soon felt safe enough to say hello. Her loyalty quickly became undeniable, greeting those with a happy face and a wagging tail. We continue to work through some of the other little challenges, like potty training, which has taken a bit longer than expected, but considering the streets were basically one big puppy pad to her, it’s understandable.

Maddie can be a little protective of her food, so we make sure to give her space to feel safe and to help her understand that she will never go hungry again. Maddie also has a soft spot for cats. But for her, they’re familiar companions rather than something to chase. It’s not uncommon for street dogs and cats to coexist in the same spaces, often forming an unspoken truce as they navigate survival side-by-side. Maddie seems to carry that understanding with her. She approaches cats with curiosity and gentleness, as if recognising them not as strangers, but as fellow travellers from a shared past.

As time continues in our journey with Maddie, we have begun to create countless cherished memories filled with new experiences and discoveries. We have a camper that we take on adventures, visiting the beach nearly every day, where Maddie loves to explore and play. My parents own a farm, so we often visit there as well, introducing her to the wide-open spaces and all the new sights, sounds, and animals that come with it.

Her training is coming along beautifully. She’s wonderful off the lead, and what melts my heart is that, even after such a short time, she never wanders far. It’s as if she already knows we’re her home. She’s an independent little lass, full of spirit, but she always comes running back to me, like she just knows I’m her mum.

The rest of our adventure is yet to unfold, and we’re so excited for everything still to come. Maddie’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the ones who are overlooked end up changing your life in the most unexpected ways. From scared and uncertain beginnings to a life full of love, trust, and tail wags, she’s proof that rescue works.

We’re endlessly grateful to DNV Save Animals for giving Maddie the chance she deserved. Their dedication, compassion, and integrity truly change lives, both for the animals they save and the people lucky enough to love them. If you’re thinking of fostering, adopting, or supporting a rescue, I couldn’t recommend them more. Because sometimes, all it takes is one yes to change everything.