Jackson

My story

When a dog needs us this much, we simply can’t look away. And when we saw Jackson — scared, shut down, and completely out of options — we knew we had to help him. There was something in his eyes that said, “Please, just give me a chance.” So we did what we always do when a dog is counting on us: we said yes. Jackson is a 3 - 4 year old, 28 lb, Beagle. We don't know if he is purebred or not, as he was found as a stray in Arkansas. What we do know is that he is adorable and has so much potential behind those sad, brave eyes. Jackson was found as a stray in Arkansas, likely used for breeding and then discarded when no longer needed. He was taken to a crowded, scary shelter where he shut down emotionally even more. The chaos, the noise, the unknowns — it was all too much for a dog who already had every reason not to trust the world. But we couldn’t leave him there. Jackson needed out. He needed us. So we got him a ticket to Colorado, and on June 11, Jackson will finally arrive in a place where healing can begin. Jackson is extremely timid. He’s not reactive, and he’s not nippy — which is a wonderful — but he is very scared. He flinches at sudden movements, cowers when approached, and prefers to be invisible right now. This is not a dog who’s going to run into your arms and wag his tail on day one. Jackson has no idea yet that kindness exists — but he wants to believe it does. Right now, Jackson doesn’t know what it means to be safe, let alone loved. What he needs isn’t instant companionship — it’s time, patience, and quiet kindness. He needs someone who understands that healing can be slow, and that progress might look like a soft glance, a small tail wag, or simply choosing to sit nearby. But we know that with consistency and love, Jackson will get there. He needs someone who understands that love isn’t always about cuddling or playtime or walks at first. Love, for Jackson, means giving him the space to breathe and feel safe for the first time in his life. Right now, Jackson is a flight risk. His fear makes him want to bolt — and if given the opportunity, he absolutely will. But underneath that fear is a gentle, sensitive soul who desperately needs to know he is safe. Jackson needs a quiet, calm, and patient home, with another dog. Jackson is confident around other dogs, and going to a home with another confident dog, will help him a lot. It is necessary that his adopter has another dog in the home already. Here’s how you can help Jackson succeed and blossom: Give Him Time to Decompress — When you bring Jackson home, your first instinct might be to comfort him with pets or try to coax him out of his shell. Please resist that urge. The most loving thing you can do in the early days is ignore him. Let him find a cozy, quiet corner. Set up a safe zone — a crate, a bed, soft blankets — and let him observe. No pressure. No expectations. Don’t Force Interaction — Don’t try to take him on walks. Don’t try to make him go potty outside right away. Don’t push for eye contact or affection. Let him come to you when he’s ready. If he hides under a table for three days, that’s okay. Right now, he’s experiencing the biggest shift of his life — from fear to hope — and it’s overwhelming. Do not have Jackson off leash, even in your yard. Do not leave him in your yard unattended — Until Jackson has bonded and is showing confidence, he must be treated like a flight risk. That means no unsecured doors, double leashing if outside, and always supervised. A fenced yard is helpful, but not required if you’re vigilant and use extreme caution. Go at His Pace — You might not hear a bark, see a tail wag, or get a lick for sometimes weeks. That’s okay. One day, he’ll peek his head around the corner. Then maybe he’ll sniff your hand. Then — one magical day — he’ll rest his head on your foot. That’s when you’ll know: he’s starting to trust. And that moment will feel like winning the lottery. Jackson has never known what it's like to feel safe, to be loved, to be part of a family. But we believe in him. We believe that under the trauma is a dog with enormous capacity for love and loyalty. We are looking for someone special — someone who sees past the fear and into the future. Someone who understands that real rescue is quiet, slow... and absolutely beautiful. **PLEASE NOTE** If you're truly interested in adopting from us, please be sure to fill out our Farfel's Rescue adoption application found at the link above or at farfels.com. Adoption site applications such as Petfinder and Adoptapet don't provide enough information and therefore aren't useful. Our Farfel's application is the only initial tool that we have to determine a great match for this very deserving dog. We're sorry, but in many cases, we're unable to get back to those that don't submit our Farfel's Rescue adoption application. Thanks very much for choosing rescue.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Jackson, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.