Cowboy is in need of a new home.
Cowboy is in need of a new home.
His people care about him immensely. This is not for lack of care.
But their lifestyle simply is not the right fit for who Cowboy is.
He’s currently living in a very busy household with twin babies, another dog, a nanny, babysitter, assistants, constant movement, and a great deal of activity and stimulation. And for a soft, deeply sensitive dog like Cowboy, it’s simply too much.
My heart is breaking as I write this.
Truthfully, I was hesitant from the beginning. When I first read the application, my immediate response was, “No.” But I was encouraged to have a conversation, so I did. I was assured there was structure. Order. Nearly five acres of fully fenced property. And I thought… maybe this could work.
It didn’t.
So now, once again, we continue the search for where Cowboy truly belongs.
And with each experience, Cowboy is going deeper.
Trauma rewires. Experiences shape associations. Nervous systems adapt for survival.
Cowboy has been living in survival mode longer than any pup should.
He’s an incredibly soft, highly sensitive dog. He needs calm. Stability. Predictability. Honestly… he needs ABSOLUTELY BORING right now.
He needs someone willing to help him redefine the associations he’s developed.
Someone willing to help him feel safe again.
Safe in life.
Safe in his own skin.
Safe in the world.
Right now, he is craving someone — something — to latch onto.
And he needs someone willing to latch on right back.
He comes with free training, coaching, and guidance for the rest of his life, just like all of the other pups. That support and partnership has always been there because I never intended for anyone to navigate these dogs or helping them adjust and acclimate alone. And right now, Cowboy truly needs that kind of support system around him.
Cowboy is 1.5 years old.
He was neutered at an appropriate age after his reproductive system had fully developed (you better believe this matters).
He's fully vaccinated following Dr. Jean Dodds’ vaccination protocol.
He's crate trained, house trained, knows basic obedience, LOVES nosework, and is the king of awkward and ridiculous sleeping positions.
Has a killer, natural mohawk... the kind that would make Mr. T jealous.
He comes with FREE training, coaching, and guidance for the rest of his life.
...and, right now, he truly needs that support system around him.
Cowboy is so desperate to connect with someone. Someone willing to help him experience the world — and life itself — in a different way.
Because he's been living in survival mode for far too long.
This soft, sensitive boy needs:
• Calm, low-chaos living
• Predictability and routine
• Minimal people coming and going
• No young children
• Structure without harshness
• Daily fulfillment and physical outlets
• Emotional safety
• Patience
• Understanding
• Someone who understands working with traumatized dogs... ****or is willing to learn**** (consider this a free mentorship program).
I cannot stress this enough. Cowboy is a very, very special dog.
And he’s endured more than he ever should have in his short life.
Because he’s highly sensitive, these experiences impact him more deeply than they would many other dogs. Much like highly sensitive people (HSPs).
The first eight months of his life here were beautiful. He was safe. Balanced. Secure. He had our home, our routine, our pack, and consistency. He was at peace... and thrived.
Then he was adopted into his first home.
The day he left was the beginning of his trauma. I know that in every fiber of my being. I watched the look on his face when he was loaded up in the car and drove away.
I was ghosted.
Then heard from his person things weren't working out. It was not the right fit.
He was eventually returned — and he was SO happy to be back home.
Then, a few months later, life forced me into an impossible position. In order to continue seeing this rescue effort through and keep them from entering the shelter system, I was forced to leave and move across the country to a friend’s property in SC.
I had Airbnbs set up along the route to keep stress levels as low as possible.
Then, what felt like a total Godwink happened. Through what seemed like an incredible, out-of-the-blue connection, the dogs went to (what I believed was) an ethical, reputable rescue that promised to stay in touch and partner with me to help find them exceptional homes.
They were not. And they did not.
What I eventually uncovered was dark, disturbing, and deeply traumatic in its own right.
After several weeks, I was finally able to get the dogs back.
But once I had them back… there was nowhere for them to go.
So, I purchased kennels and set them up in boarding on a friend’s property 30 minutes away.
Every morning, I drove there at sunrise to feed, relieve, walk, and spend time with them. Then I’d drive home, shower, red light for pain... and head back again for afternoon walks, field trips, and enrichment. Dinner was at 5. Then I drove back home for my own dinner, and back again right after for one-on-one time outside the kennels, last night relief, and sleep.
Then.... I’d wake up and do it all over again.
For weeks this went on.
I was exhausted. My health declined. I lost sleep. My voice went hoarse.
But... we kept going.
Then, the dogs were placed with another small rescue who promised, again, to partner with me in helping them find their forever homes. They said they had a strong vetted foster network and could place each of the dogs in their own individual foster homes. They would remain for 5 days so they could “learn” them (though we all know it takes longer than 5 days to learn a dog, but I digress).
Less than 24 hours later — and without consulting me — Cowboy and Winnie were flipped and placed together with an unvetted foster. With people who “love animals” and wanted to help.
I was blocked from contact with the foster “until some time went by.” I was told I'd be connected with them when Ava went to her board and train.
That connection finally happened in the most devastating way imaginable.
Ironically enough, Ava’s first night in board and train, I got a call from a local vet clinic.
“Hello, Kimberly… we just had a dog by the name of Winnie, microchipped to you, enter our facility.”
“Yes… is she okay?”
“I’m so sorry to tell you…”
And I didn’t hear anything after that.
Steve’s daughter drove me to the clinic so I could see Winnie one last time.
This is still very difficult to write. It’s still very, very fresh.
I still have an immense amount of anger, resentment, and pain I'm working through.
This “friendly recommendation” and unvetted foster situation was not a good fit. And they both paid the price for it. Winnie with her life. Cowboy with another trauma-induced rewiring.
Winnie was hit by a car and died on impact. Cowboy was with her and witnessed the entire thing.
He then spent the night missing alone in coyote territory before finally, and by the grace of God, being found 3 miles away at an elementary school the next afternoon.
He survived.
But dogs do not simply “move on” from experiences like this.
And since then, he's continued living in survival. Getting bounced around. Living in overwhelm. Living in situations that aren't permanent.... at no fault of his own.
He just hasn't found his right match. His right situation. The right people... patient and willing to help him rebuild, rewire, regroup, and overcome.
Right now, he's attached himself deeply — almost desperately — to the woman in the household because his nervous system is still searching for safety and stability. She has a softer energy than her husband and is able to meet him where he’s at.
People think energy is just some woo-woo thing.
No.
It’s real. It’s potent. And it’s one of THE most influential ingredients in canine behavior and how dogs experience the world around them.
Cowboy’s still living in survival mode, and has begun guarding that attachment.
I don’t fault him for that. Not after everything he’s been through.
Cowboy doesn't need more chaos. He does not need more bouncing around. He does not need more overwhelm.
He needs simple.
He needs safe.
He needs UTTERLY BORING.
He needs someone willing to truly see him and meet him where he is right now.
I KNOW there is a place for him in this world.
I know there is someone out there for him.
Whoever welcomes this boy in will be blessed beyond measure.
Because beneath the survival mode, the fear, the overwhelm, and the trauma responses… is one of the sweetest, softest, most emotionally connected dogs I’ve ever known.
This isn't about perfection.... it's about what's perfect for him.
And if someone is willing to truly see him, understand him, guide him, and protect his heart the way it deserves to be protected… they’ll discover just how extraordinary he really is.
While I wish more than anything it could be me, I'm just not in a position where that's possible... which breaks my heart in a million different ways. I no longer own my own home, it's no longer just me living in the home with my pack and my work....
There has to be a heart willing to connect… and protect his.
What I CAN promise is this:
I'll continue doing everything in my power to make sure this boy is safe, loved, understood, protected, and finally given the life and stability he deserves.
Because he deserves that. He always did.
Location: Southern CA
