Rescue puppy with abusive past runs away from new owner — her patience makes all the difference

When Summer Ipock (@summeripock) adopted Noa (@noatherescuedoodle), a rescue dog with a traumatic past, she didn't realize that the baby was so devastated that it would be ages before she learned to trust again. When the breakthrough moment finally arrived, she knew it had been worth every second of the wait. 

"My rescue pup hated [it] when I came outside and wouldn't come inside unless I was far from the door," Ipock said, explaining how Noa, the terrified baby, would get anxious every time she saw her — "She would immediately get stressed and stop whatever she was doing." Going on to elaborate on Noa's neglectful carers, Ipock mentioned, "I know she has a history of abuse, and when she had owners, they kept her outside." That fear still haunted the poor soul, explaining why Noa would wait for her canine sibling, Navy, and the owner to disappear before running inside the house to her safe place. "This was difficult during cold months," Ipock said retrospectively.

Ipock knew she had to earn Noa's trust, and that's when she started working with her, helping her with tools to overcome her past traumas. "She wanted to come get kisses, but she just couldn't get herself to come up to me," Ipock revealed, sharing glimpses of Noa fighting her inner battles. Every time they worked together, the four-legged baby came closer, only to back out at the very last minute. "After a few more practices, she was finally coming up and giving kisses," the woman said, sharing the oh-so-beautiful moment caught on camera. Besides, Noa also started coming inside the house, even while the woman was at the door — something that once filled her with dread. In a world where Animal Abuse statistics show 10 million animals dying of cruelty each year in the United States, Noa is one lucky pup to find such a loving human who wants nothing but a good life for her.

The incredible journey of Noa, the rescue pup, slowly learning to trust again, received an outpouring of love on social media. For instance, reacting to the video, @miranda commented, "She is so brave and doing so well. What an inspiration she is for working through trauma!" A user who goes by @alison.morris646 on Instagram said, "It's heartbreaking to think about what she went through. So glad she has you and Navy, and is loved so much." Similarly, another person, who goes by @hannahlouise_.x, shared, "My rescue was terrified of water that wasn’t a pond or a lake or anything like that. I bought her a doggy swimming pool, and now she absolutely loves it. Sprinklers still have a way to go, but we will get there." @jackie wrote, "She is the luckiest girl in the world to have you. It was divine, and I have zero doubt about that!"

On the other hand, @zoespupperinos suggested, "From experience with a traumatized/beaten dog and the ability to review your footage, the clip of you standing at the door, your raised leg moving, would be a trigger for her. Try reducing the stress by standing ultra still (but relaxed) for a week, then begin micro movements of your feet, like toes first. The focus is on making your action not scary, not on her overcoming her own scaredness. We had an amazing trainer to help us, just passing on their wisdom."

You can follow Noa The Rescue Doodle (@noatherescuedoodle) on Instagram for more dog-related content.