Not every adoption story begins smoothly, but with patience, love and dedication, a fairy tale can come true.
Jennifer Tredway learned that firsthand when she adopted Roxy, then known as Bailey, in November 2023. Jennifer wanted a companion for her young dog, Drax, another shelter dog. On paper, Roxy seemed perfect: female, housebroken, good with other animals and the right size and age. She was spayed the day they picked her up and appeared confident and happy.
“And then it all fell to pieces,” Jennifer said. “We had Roxy meet Drax outside, both on leashes. Roxy wanted no part of him. She lunged, growled, snarled. We were surprised. She didn’t even want him in the same zip code.”
The Tredways quickly reached out to friends and professionals for advice. They realized they had forgotten the “rules of three”: three days for a new dog to adjust, three weeks to learn the routine and three months to truly settle in.
For the first few weeks, Roxy stayed in a spare bedroom while Drax roamed elsewhere. The dogs never interacted directly. The family swapped bedding so the dogs could get used to each other’s scent. Roxy recovered from her spay and learned basic commands. Short walks and careful exploration of her new home helped her gain confidence.
“I won’t lie. It was stressful. We felt overwhelmed. There were tears of frustration,” Jennifer said. “But she was such a sweet girl. We didn’t want to give up. I wasn’t taking her back to the shelter.”
Adjusting to farm life added another layer of challenge. Roxy had never seen horses or chickens, and her world had been turned upside down. The family enlisted a trainer who worked with both dogs and gave a step-by-step plan to help Roxy feel safe.
They began walking the dogs together, keeping plenty of space between them, letting Roxy set the distance. Gradually, she became comfortable. Next came supervised play in a fenced area, and eventually short periods together inside the house. Feeding was separate, toys were controlled and supervision was constant.
“And then it happened,” Jennifer said. “They started napping near each other, playing in the house and sitting close for treats. Roxy decided Drax is her BFF and follows him everywhere. She started bouncing from me to my husband, thrilled we were all there. That’s when we knew she felt at home. It has been a long road, but Roxy is finally home.”
A new chapter
Roxy still faces challenges, including separation anxiety, and her past remains a mystery. But the family focuses on her present and future, keeping training consistent and nurturing her big heart.
Their efforts have paid off in more ways than one. In April 2024, Roxy earned her AKC Canine Good Citizenship certificate. Her evaluator encouraged Jennifer to try Rally Obedience. After six weeks of classes, Roxy excelled. In spring 2025, she earned her first qualifying run at the Novice level and is working toward her first title.
“She LOVES classes and training,” Jennifer said. “It’s been a wonderful bonding experience. I’m so, so proud of her.”
Roxy’s story proves that a rough start doesn’t mean a rough ending. With patience, persistence and a lot of love, every dog and family can find their happily ever after.
