Alex is around five years old, and when he first came into the care of MADRA Dog Rescue, life was very scary for him. Parked cars, new places, people and even gentle touch was too overwhelming. He guarded items, struggled to trust and had a history of biting when scared. The shelter was just too much for him and everyone at MADRA was very worried. The team quickly realised there were underlying medical problems which were adding to his fear and behaviour issues.

Alex arrived to his fosterer so he had a safe space to decompress. For months, they took a hands off approach. He would happily curl up in her lap but wasn’t comfortable with pets. He needed a safe, predictable world where nothing was asked of him. Slowly, with patience and teamwork between MADRA, his veterinary team, and his fosterer, Alex began to feel safe and his medical issues were explored from x-rays, trialing different pain medications, different food, blood tests and testing for his painful stomach issues.

A year on and Alex has blossomed.
He adores playing tug and squeaky ball. He now asks for chest rubs and enjoys being petted, always on his terms.
He doesn’t feel he needs to instantly bite when he’s scared.
He has overcome so many of his fears and is truly a happy boy, though he will always need careful handling to help him feel comfortable.

Alex still has ongoing gastrointestinal problems, though we are seeing improvements. He has pain issues which require daily medication and regular veterinary check-ups. Due to his complex needs and his fun and lovable personality, Alex is now officially a permanent foster dog! By sponsoring Alex, you’ll be helping to cover his veterinary care and giving him the happy, pain-managed life he deserves. Every contribution makes a difference to this brave little dog who has come so far. You can also follow SamSa Dog Training & Behaviour on social media for regular updates on Alex. Thank you for being part of Alex’s journey. Together, we can make sure he continues to thrive.