Faces of No-Kill: Dog goes from shut down to shining

A dog’s eyes are notoriously expressive. From contentment to excitement to apprehension, the eyes can reveal what a pup is thinking or feeling. However, Sabine displayed little of that. When she first arrived at the Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Bentonville, Arkansas, her big brown eyes were dull and lifeless. But the way she transformed in just one month shows the tangible difference love can make.

Two-year-old Sabine came to the pet resource center from a shelter partner several hours away. Her beautiful brindle coat couldn’t hide her skeletal frame. Her ribs and hip bones jutted out, and she weighed about half of what a dog her size should weigh.

[Little dog was sick and shut down at the shelter, but his foster mom helped turn things around]

Sabine’s emotional state was as frail as her body. Staff at the shelter had described her as “zoned out” and “emotionally vacant.” It’s unclear what happened in her past that caused her to shut down. What was clear, though, was that Sabine needed a lifeline.

That lifeline came in the form of experienced foster volunteers Rocio and Glenn Ritter, who welcomed Sabine into their home. Rocio knew healing would take time, and she patiently worked to build Sabine’s trust. With lots of treats and gentle affection, this shy pup started coming out of her shell. She started finding joy in the little things — playing fetch in the backyard, lounging in the grass, and sleeping in the comfort of a warm bed. Not only did she start gaining weight, but she started gaining confidence.

[Helping a shy dog spice up his social life]

After one month in foster care, Sabine returned to the pet resource center, almost unrecognizable from the scared dog she had been. She wouldn’t be there for long, though. A family was charmed by Sabine’s newfound spirit and adopted her right away. Now, she spends her days playing with her new canine friend, making adorable messes during mealtime, and napping in the coziest spots she can find.

Sabine’s story proves that, with a little time and a little love, even the most broken spirits can heal.

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.