When Graycie was rescued from a busy street in Georgia, she was utterly petrified. Her fear was so overwhelming that she huddled in her kennel, refusing food and shying away from every attempt to comfort her. It was clear to veterinarian Dr. Andy Mathis that traditional methods wouldn’t work. Determined to help Graycie feel safe, he came up with a creative approach: he joined her in the kennel. His hope was simple but profound—to make her feel less alone in a world that had terrified her for so long.
“I just said, ‘I’m gonna sit right here and sort of encourage you to eat with the food here with me sitting right here,’” Dr. Mathis explained in a Dodo video. With a small bowl of food in hand, he sat beside Graycie, mirroring her setup by eating from a similar dish. He hoped this gesture would ease her anxiety and show her she wasn’t alone. Initially hesitant, Graycie watched as Dr. Mathis gently encouraged her, even hand-feeding her at first to spark her appetite.
The breakthrough came when Graycie finally began to eat on her own. In that moment, a small but significant transformation began. Just five days after her rescue, Graycie’s appetite had improved dramatically, and she had already gained a pound and a half. Her physical recovery mirrored the blossoming of her true personality—playful, curious, and full of energy. To celebrate Graycie’s transformation, Dr. Mathis treated her to a fancy dinner with formal attire and a white tablecloth.
As Graycie grew more confident, Dr. Mathis realized their bond had become unshakable. Unable to imagine his life without her, he decided to officially make her part of his family. The once-terrified pup who had cowered in her kennel was now a joyful, spirited companion thriving in her new home.
To celebrate the journey they’ve shared, Dr. Mathis and Graycie honor her adoption anniversary each year in a unique way: by sharing a meal together inside a kennel. It’s a touching reminder of how far she’s come and the love and patience that made it all possible.
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