Meet Booderee 3, affectionately known as Tilly! This gentle, loving girl is discovering just how wonderful life can be, and she's making beautiful progress in her foster home. When she first arrived, she was extremely shut down and unsure of the world around her. With patience, consistency, and reassurance, she's beginning to feel safer and let her sweet personality shine. Her foster has watched her confidence grow as she wags her tail more frequently, plays fetch, and finds joy in the little things. Tilly is a curious, gentle soul who is learning that the world isn't quite so scary after all, and seeing her come out of her shell has been a beautiful reminder of what time and love can do.
Tilly is a true little shadow who wants to be wherever her person is. Her favorite activity is snuggling, and according to her foster, it's practically her life's purpose! Even if her person moves just a few feet away, Tilly will happily get up to follow, only to settle back down nearby. She sleeps soundly beside her foster throughout the night, and every morning brings an enthusiastic reunion, as if she's seeing her favorite person for the first time all over again. This affectionate girl has so much love to give and finds her greatest comfort in being close to someone she trusts. She's generally relaxed at home, with occasional playful bursts that reveal more of her personality as she settles in.
Tilly is doing wonderfully with her housetraining, with no accidents reported and a foster who has learned to recognize her signals. She even asks to go outside when she needs a potty break! She's also making progress with her basic manners. She is improving with "sit" and already knows "wait," politely waiting for her food until she's given the release cue. She's a smart girl who learns at her own pace and responds well to patience and encouragement. Tilly is also calm in her crate when her foster returns, although she can become nervous when she can't see her person and may cry or whine on the other side of a closed door. She's getting more comfortable with car rides, too. She may still pant and seek reassurance during the drive, but she's beginning to trust that the car isn't such a scary place after all. With continued positive experiences and gentle support, she'll hopefully gain confidence with these everyday activities.
One of Tilly's favorite things in the world is being outside! She loves exploring her surroundings, and if she comes across cool, damp grass, don't be surprised if she flops down and rolls around with pure happiness. She seems to know how to appreciate a good moment of simple joy! She's also a wonderful leash walker who doesn't pull and remains calm when encountering deer, feral cats, and other dogs. She'll watch them with curiosity rather than reacting, although squirrels may occasionally catch her attention. Tilly enjoys stuffies, squeaky toys, tennis balls, and playing fetch, and she especially loves a good game that lets her show off her playful side. Watching her initiate play and wag her tail more often has been especially heartwarming after her timid start.
Tilly can be nervous and cautious when meeting unfamiliar people, so she appreciates gentle introductions without too much pressure. Her foster gives her space to observe someone before offering verbal reassurance, allowing Tilly to approach when she's ready. This approach has been working beautifully! She's met several of her foster's friends, including women and men ranging from older teenagers to adults, and has done well with these introductions. She may need a little time to warm up, but she's showing that she can build trust when people respect her boundaries. Tilly would do best with a patient family willing to let her settle in at her own pace, celebrate her small victories, and reassure her as she navigates unfamiliar situations. In return, she'll offer a whole lot of affection and the special joy of watching her confidence continue to grow.
Although Tilly doesn't currently live with other pets in her foster home, she has met dogs at BARCS and enjoyed the company of gentle, respectful canine friends. She remains curious about dogs she encounters on walks, often stopping to watch them quietly. Her foster believes she may enjoy having a canine companion again and feels she could do wonderfully with a patient, affectionate dog who enjoys cuddling.
Tilly is a gentle, curious, loving, and incredibly snuggly girl who is learning to embrace the world one day at a time. She'll happily follow you from room to room, roll around in the grass, bring you a toy when she's ready to play, and curl up beside you for a cozy night's sleep. She'll need a calm, predictable home with someone who understands that building confidence takes time, especially when it comes to separation and unfamiliar experiences. But for the person who gives her the patience and love she deserves, Tilly promises plenty of cuddles, joyful morning greetings, and the incredibly rewarding experience of watching a once-shy dog blossom into a more confident companion. Tilly is currently enjoying the comfort of a foster home. If you're interested in meeting her, please complete an adoption application and email dogfosters@barcs.org for next steps!
