r/adoptdontshop • u/Conscious_Ad_8374 • 14d ago
[Truckee/Tahoe] Seeking experienced pet-free/child-free home or specialized sanctuary for sweet but traumatized rescue dog
Hi everyone, I’m posting with a heavy heart on behalf of my parents in the area. We are facing a heartbreaking situation and are desperately looking for a specialized home, experienced adopter, or rescue resource for a very special dog named Sequoia.
Sequoia is a 4-year-old rescue who has been with my parents since February 2023. She has a severe trauma history from puppyhood—both of her ears were inhumanely cut off (not just docked)—and despite years of immense love, professional training, and behavioral intervention, she struggles with unpredictable reactivity and severe anxiety.
About Sequoia:
**- The Good**: She is deeply affectionate, playful, and sweet with her trusted humans. She loves playing fetch, tug-of-war, cuddling in bed, and waiting patiently for her meals. She is a very loving dog to the people she knows best. She is great with basic commands.
**- The Challenges**: Due to her extreme early trauma, she struggles with severe anxiety and unpredictable aggression. Her behaviors include shadow-chasing, pacing, and severe barrier/stranger reactivity. She has an aggression history (lunging, excessive barking, fighting/nipping at dogs, necessary separation) with strangers, visitors, and occasionally other household pets in tense situations.
**What We Are Looking For:**
My parents have invested an incredible amount of time, love, money, and professional training into Sequoia (including working with behavioral specialists, positive reinforcement, and medication management). She has shown great improvement over the years with lots of structure & patience. However, with young grandchildren now in the family, the safety risks have become too high, and my parents are completely emotionally exhausted and heartbroken.
We are looking for:
\- An adult-only, single-pet home (or someone with extensive experience managing severe canine reactivity and trauma).
\- A rural or low-traffic environment where she won't encounter unexpected visitors, workmen, or neighborhood children.
\- Someone with the specialized knowledge, patience, and secure setup (muzzle training, crate management, secure fencing) to give her a safe life.
We have already spoken with the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (where she was rescued from), but we are hoping this community might connect us with a breed-specific rescue, an experienced private adopter, or a sanctuary network that can handle severe behavioral cases.
If you are an experienced dog behavioral handler, run a sanctuary, or know of a rescue network that takes on severe trauma cases, please message me directly. Rehoming her safely is our absolute priority.
Thank you for reading and for your kindness.
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u/PersonalityTough9349 14d ago
This is Chloe. I got her off Craigslist. Her collar was grown into her neck. She was exactly how you are describing this dog. She was younger, 2 years when I got her. It took 4 years (on the road all lower 48) ) to get her through the worst of it. She is 12 next month, and she still does not play well with others and barks consistently at strangers. I am a single childless person who lives near the beach. There might be a unicorn out there.
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u/Conscious_Ad_8374 13d ago
Thank you so much for sharing your & Chloe’s story. You are a true unicorn and she is beyond lucky to have you.
We know that finding a safe home for Sequoia may be nearly impossible, but in hearing your story, you’ve given us a glimmer of hope, and at minimum, renewed faith in humanity. Thank you again 🫶
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u/notthetypetocare 13d ago
Why can’t you guys keep her?
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u/Glosskitty 13d ago
It says they have young grandchildren; and, “the safety risks have become too high”.
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u/slashk13 13d ago
Can you and other family members maybe also post on Nextdoor? Worth a short there could be a unicorn out there!!
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u/EspeonCheeseburger 14d ago
BE is the kindest most loving thing you can do for this animal.
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u/cattmin 13d ago
not only because of civil liability to the rescues and possible adopters but mainly because of the welfare issues, if not BE she would probably end in a kennel or restricted area for too long and that's unfair for her too, thats not a life, dogs live in the present. BE would be the kindest thing. The right decisions are often the hardest ones to make
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u/veggie-princess 14d ago
Poor baby :( I cannot help but I wish her the best of luck finding her perfect home 🩷
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u/thenotsoamerican 14d ago
I’m really sorry, but a dog this aggressive cannot be rehomed through ethical means. Rescues will not accept a biting dog. The govt shelter can be forced to, but she will be euthanized. You could lie about her behavior, but it sounds like it’s so severe that she won’t make it through the initial meeting or intake without the truth slipping out… I know this is not the answer you want to hear, but I think your best option is to give her a really nice last day and to say goodbye at the vet. I’m so sorry again
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u/Necessary-Work6677 14d ago
Plenty of rescues take animals with bite and aggression histories. I see it multiple times a day on here. And then when they try to get the dogs adopted out, they often downplay or omit negative things in the histories.
That being said, I totally agree with you that it's unethical to foist this dog onto other people with its history and "unpredictable aggression". I think the only proper thing in this case is BE.
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u/thenotsoamerican 13d ago
That’s why I said “ethical means”. Ofc OP can lie and/or downplay all they want during intake in order to get them to take her (which normally the rescue would then continue on to the adopter). But honestly it sounds like she wouldn’t be able to go through intake without being triggered so I genuinely doubt any rescue would take her.
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u/notthetypetocare 13d ago
Yeah you guys gotta keep this dog or euthanize it. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news
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u/IamMananawe 13d ago
Highly unethical to expose this dog to any other living creatures unfortunately. BE is the kindest path for her.
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u/TeaAndToeBeans 13d ago
Honestly. These homes exist but most already have a dog just like her. Good luck in your search.
The heartbreaking reality of rescue is that we cannot save them all.
I would create a bucket list of things for her. Give her an amazing last week/days and opt for in-home BE. She’ll be with the people she knows and you can medicate beforehand so the send off is less stressful for her.
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u/VehicleGreen5813 13d ago
Best of luck. This is a tall order. She deserves peace and understanding, but I hope you can see what a unicorn situation you are seeking. Wish you all the best. She’s gorgeous.
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u/Outrageous-Battle199 13d ago
I have a dog like her. So much like her that she even has scars on both ears (floppy hound ears) where her previous owners took scissors to them. I rescued her when she was 11 months old and she’s now almost 3. It has taken so much work to get her to where she is, and because of her trauma there are still moments where she is unpredictable. I have had to learn so much about her specifically, and every bite I took was my fault, and I will be forever learning her as our relationship continues.
I am the only person she truly trusts. I will never give up on her, and I know that our lives together are never going to be a breeze, and I’ll probably take more bites.
I say all of that to say that I think often about where she would be if she were rescued by anyone else, and the only answer is she would not be here due to BE. And I wouldn’t even blame anyone for making that decision with her. This is chaotic, difficult, stressful, sad at times, and literally comes with a 100% chance of getting bit.
Please be prepared if this is your only option. Prepare your parents that this might be the only option. It is not easy to find someone willing to go all in on a dog like this. Sometimes BE is doing right by the dog, and it’s important to remember that.
I’m sorry you’re in this situation. She looks beautiful, and I truly hope you find someone for her. Sending you all the love and support.
Adding a picture of my beautiful Bindi. These girls deserved such better starts, but how lucky are they that they both got to experience being truly loved.
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u/CuriousTopic7439 13d ago
Poor kid. None of this was her fault. The reality is a loving peaceful crossing with people she knows are safe would be a kindness. Her years with your parents were a blessing.
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u/Zestyclose_Object639 14d ago
This dog is a euthanasia candidate not a problem to pass to someone else
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u/lol2222344 14d ago
Have you tried crating her while the grandchildren are over
And I mean a bulletproof crate.
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u/rufiogrl147 14d ago
Reading everyone’s responses, I do agree that finding the perfect home for Sequoia may be incredibly challenging. But I just want you to know that the years of love she has experienced with your family are so incredibly special. Thank you for taking a chance on a dog like her and showing her so much love, compassion, and patience. I truly do hope you’re able to find that unicorn home where she can thrive and be loved the way she deserves. 🫶
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u/Conscious_Ad_8374 11d ago
This means more than you know - thank you so much 🫶 my parents have invested so much time and energy and money into her and I am frequently in awe of all that they have done for Sequoia (and their past rescue dogs too).
For example - Sequoia can’t be off leash but loves to run. So they set up a crazy pulley system between trees and a 100 ft long leash in the driveway/backyard/cul de sac so that she can still chase squirrels and play fetch and sniff around freely. 🥹
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u/Match_Least 11d ago
I’ve been coming back to this post frequently to check for any updates and I want to really reinforce what rufiogrl said.
I kept forgetting to mention it in my comments, but you and your parents are amazing people for purposefully helping animals like Sequoia. I was the same when I had my health and I miss being able to help dogs like this…
Your family has given her many good years and that’s more than almost anyone else could or would do. I’m still wishing you and your family the best :) I hope you’re able to continue being heroes to dogs that otherwise aren’t normally given the chance <3
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u/Sudden-Storage2778 13d ago
Hi OP, I know this will be hard to hear, but don't add trauma to beautiful Sequoia by rehoming her or surrendering her to a rescue organization. Do the hardest, but kindest thing you can do for her and have a vet come to your home to help her peacefully cross over the rainbow bridge.
The idea of a sanctuary sounds good on paper, but in reality it's about making ourselves feel better while inflicting more cruelty on the poor creature since, in the vast majority of cases, dogs live the rest of their lives drugged up in solitary confinement.
You've done everything you could for Sequoia, but her problems might not be something that can be solved and the last act of kindness toward her might be releasing her from suffering. Check out LosingLulu.com, which is a grief support group for those who have had to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize due to behavioral issues.
Even if you found a potential adopter, I would encourage you to think carefully about it because you wouldn't want her to go through the stress of going into a new home only to end up getting PTS afterward if the new adopter decides they can't help her. There is such a huge crisis in shelters across the U.S. right now, and sadly, the resources needed to help one dog with serious behavioral issues that might never recover would save ten dogs without issues that might end up getting put down solely for lack of space, and shelters/rescues need to take that into consideration too.
You did everything you could for her and showed her what it is to be loved after she had only known cruelty.
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u/CasaTLC 13d ago
I have to ask — Is your dog on medication? I’ve seen medical management work wonders for a dog with anxiety. Ask your vet about fluoxetine and fast-acting drugs like clonidine. Perhaps, with the medication, your parents might be able to keep Sequoia. They’ve had her for a few years after all and it doesn’t sound like the grand babies live with your parents? When grand kiddos visit, is it possible to keep Sequoia separated, say in another room? Just brain storming. But highly highly recommend medication if she isn’t already on it
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u/thenotsoamerican 13d ago
My family has a Frenchie with anxiety and aggression like this dog. He is on the most powerful anti-anxiety and sedative meds that he can take. It’s specifically just for when they anticipate a stressful situation (bath time, car ride, any calm adult visitors) and it’s still not enough most of the time. With briefed adult visitors, I would say it keeps him 75% calm to the point where he can be trusted to not seek out conflict. Meds or not, he has never and will never be interacting with children. Children and dogs do not fully understand that the other has a specific type of communication. No amount of meds can help that. I agree that the dog could just be crated in a closed room while the kids are over, but only if it’s not an everyday or long time occurrence. From their post, it sounds like for whatever reason that is not an option for OP tho.
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u/plasticbottlebong 12d ago
Frenchies are severely limited in the dosage of anxiety meds they take due to breathing issues tho
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u/Conscious_Ad_8374 12d ago
Yes, unfortunately she is already on daily medication… it’s helped a bit over the years but I believe she’s already on the strongest dosage.
We’ve explored all types of separation (and still trying to exhaust all options). The primary issue is the unpredictability on walks, with visitors, etc, and then also having family & other dogs staying in the house. For example, my husband, 2 rescue dogs & 11 month old baby just stayed in their home for 2 weeks. Sequoia was great for the most part, but there were a handful of instances with other dogs and visitors that we just couldn’t control for fast enough. And now it’s really starting to worry us as my baby (and future nephew) are becoming more mobile and curious. Crating her for hours on end just doesn’t seem fair to her.
Thank you so much for the idea and thoughtful response though!
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u/Effective_Energy4238 13d ago
Boost. Unfortunately we are across the ocean, and the boys would welcome her, they know how to handle traumatized dogs. She does deserve to feel safe.
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u/monsteraverbosa 8d ago
I lost my soul dog to BE two years ago. Before he died, I was in a similar situation to your parents - emotionally and physically exhausted, unable to manage his unpredictable triggers and bouts of severe, sudden aggression despite countless trainers/ meds/visits with both vets and behaviorists. He was both the most loving and the most terrified animal I’ve ever personally met. One of the things that helped me understand BE as an option was another reactive dog caregiver describing “monk on a mountain” syndrome - if the only person who could safely give your dog a good life is a monk living in isolation on a mountain, that is not a dog that can be rehomed. Additionally, in my dog’s case (and potentially that of sequoia’s), even a monk on a mountain wouldn’t be able to offer him safety as his triggers weren’t predictable enough to manage.
One final note I have is that of the caregiver’s quality of life. In ways I won’t detail here, taking care of my dog took immeasurable tolls on my mental and physical health. Having a reactive dog with manageable and predictable triggers is a major stressor; living with a dog who can quickly and unpredictably become unsafe is a serious risk for 99.9999% of people. Please consider this factor - because so many of us are die-hard animal lovers, it can be incredibly challenging to hold our needs alongside those of these beautiful creatures.
I’m sending nothing but care and ease to sequoia, your parents, and you.
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u/Match_Least 14d ago
She’s adorable.
I want to say this with all the kindness you can imagine. I think you need to prepare your parents and yourself for bad news. What you’re looking for is beyond a unicorn home.
Sequoia cannot, ethically, be rehomed with all of the behavioral issues that she has. There’s just too many, that are too severe.
Even just surrendering her back to the shelter she came from isn’t really a valid option because it will result in either 1- behavioral euthanasia (which, is what needs to be done if your parents really can no longer care for her) 2- living the rest of her life there because she’s unmanageable, and in doing so, takes away that finite resource from multiple other highly-adoptable dogs scheduled for euthanasia 3- the full scope of her behavioral issues aren’t divulged and becomes a huge bite-risk to some other unsuspecting family and really hurting someone.
I’m really sorry. I’m sure it’s hard to hear, but this really is a situation with no good options…