Now she’s more confident than ever ❤️
When Faith, an 18-month-old pit bull mix, gave birth to a surprise litter, her life was turned upside down. Instead of receiving care, she was banished to the backyard, left in a filthy crate with nothing but fear and loneliness for company.
Her future might have been bleak, but a kind neighbor stepped in and reached out for help. Soon, through a network of rescuers, Faith arrived at Happy Paws Rescue, where it was clear she would need a foster with patience, compassion, and experience.
That foster turned out to be Kaitlyn Marcinkowski.
“When [Happy Paws Rescue] asked if I could help, my answer was simple,” Marcinkowski told The Dodo. “‘Can I get her tonight?’”
From the very beginning, Kaitlyn knew Faith needed gentleness above all else. Instead of coaxing her to walk inside, she scooped Faith into her arms and carried her to safety.
“She was often too scared to move, and we weren’t going to force her,” Marcinkowski explained.
In those first days, Faith rarely left her crate. It was the only space she felt safe. She trembled around people, avoided going to the bathroom, and flinched at the slightest sound. Her tail never left its tucked position.
“It broke my heart to see such a sweet dog so afraid of the world,” Marcinkowski said.
So Kaitlyn focused on building trust slowly — patience, space, and positive reinforcement. And little by little, Faith began to blossom.
Four days in, Faith surprised her foster mom by jumping onto the bed to cuddle. “Carrying her made her feel secure,” Marcinkowski said. “Now she hops right up, striking her little ‘pick-me-up’ pose.”
The outdoors, once a source of fear, also became a place of joy. Instead of punishment, the yard meant playtime — complete with her favorite ritual of flopping on her back for belly rubs.
As Faith waits for her forever home, she continues to grow braver every day. Kaitlyn jokes that her adopter will need to be able to “carry 50 pounds of princess beefcake” — but also promises that Faith is worth every ounce.
After all she’s endured, Faith finally knows what it feels like to be safe, cherished, and loved. And this time, she won’t have to let that go.