Greener pastures for a shy mama dog

Sometimes the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence. Just ask Greenie, a peaches-and-cream dog with wiry fur, charmingly scruffy ears, and the most delightful orange eyelashes. She now gets to frolic in just the right pasture for her with adopter Emery Blanchard, a miniature horse named Mini Cooper (best name ever), and a sprawling 30-acre ranch to call home. But Greenie’s road to her dream life wasn’t a straight path.

Greenie arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary from a shelter in New Mexico, carrying a big responsibility: 10 tiny, fragile newborn puppies. Due to a lack of space and resources at the shelter, this timid mama and her pups could have become a statistic, but luckily the shelter is one that has lifesaving partnerships with other organizations, such as Best Friends. That’s one of the most important ways that shelters across the country have reached no-kill — by working together to save pets who need extra care or time.

[Faces of No-Kill: Just 2 weeks give pups second chance]

After arriving at Best Friends, this furry family needed somewhere safe, comfortable, and quiet to grow, and they found just that when staff arranged for them to stay in a cozy foster home. Greenie was a devoted mother, keeping her little ones safe and warm while settling into her foster home, where she could finally exhale.

Her puppies thrived and were quickly adopted, but it took a bit longer to find the right match for this sweet, slightly anxious mama dog. A sensitive soul with a gentle heart, Greenie needed someone who would see past her initial shyness and appreciate her for exactly who she was. Enter Emery.

“I thought she was beautiful the moment I met her,” Emery says. “Her wiry face, orange ears, and little orange eyelashes were unforgettable.” But it wasn’t just Greenie’s unique looks that captured Emery’s heart — it was the quiet sweetness in her eyes, the way she observed the world with cautious curiosity, and the potential for adventure just waiting to unfold.

At the ranch, Greenie has not just a home but a purpose. She spends her days exploring wide-open fields; racing one of Emery’s miniature horses, Mini Cooper (who may or may not let her win); and keeping a watchful eye on the daily happenings of the ranch. She’s not just a spectator though — Greenie takes her role as honorary ranch manager very seriously, especially when it comes to supervising horse training sessions. “She’s always right there, making sure we’re doing it correctly,” Emery laughs. “She’s also very therapeutic for the equine experiential learning we teach.”

[Big life for a much-loved-adventure dog]

With each passing day, Greenie grows more confident, more playful, more herself. The wide-open space suits her and so does the love and patience Emery has given her. “She’s a perfect fit,” Emery says. “Watching her blossom is a joy.”

And as it turns out, the grass isn’t just greener. It’s exactly where she was meant to be.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.