2023 Loshenka Makeover Phase 4: The Future

Copper and I finished this year’s Loshenka Makeover Event the same way hers began. On a trail ride with a loose dog.

It was just Copper, Shadow, and myself one evening and we had gone for an evening walk on one of the Sanctuary’s back trails. Copper and Shadow have been getting along perfectly and I almost think Copper is starting to like her new companion.

As we were walking down the path, Copper on my left and Shadow on my right, I took a deep breath and just soaked up this moment. Copper was so relaxed and comfortable and little miss Shadow was just as happy as she could be just trotting beside us. Not a care in her little world. Copper has come so far, I honestly didn’t think we’d get this far in only two months. I mean, we still have some work to do. Copper is still weary of dogs she doesn’t know but at least she’s not being thrown into a blind terror…

The sun was beginning to set and it was casting the trees and mountains in the distance in a beautiful warm amber glow. I had been handling Shadow on my own for a few weeks, Becca trusted me and left her in my care so she could take care of her other duties while I wrapped up the event. I knew Shadow had a perfect recall. I stopped Copper and gently reached down and unclipped Shadow’s lead. Then continued on like it was nothing. Shadow would go and play and then come back and then go and play again, and come back again. Copper remained calm, just watching this goofy three-legged dog do her thing as we walked along.

Suddenly I heard a twig snap and a yelp then we saw Shadow bolting out of the trees and down the path as fast as she could straight at us. Copper’s head pops up with a quick snort and she’s alert, taking a step or two back. She’s watching this dog come straight at us. I swear the poor girl was probably having flashbacks. But she didn’t spook. She trusted me and she trusted Shadow. Shadow collided with my legs with a thud and sat down on my feet, shaking and whining. Copper dropped her head to nuzzle the frightening dog. Then we heard another twig snap and all three of our heads popped up. Out of the trees emerged a doe and her little fawn. They looked at us for a moment and then just calmly crossed the trail and back into the woods on the other side. Apparently Shadow is terrified of deer. I giggled and patted both of my friends and we continued on with our walk. Thankful that Shadow was fine and Copper did absolutely fantastic. I was so proud of her, I still am!

So, the Makeover event gives you the option to either adopt your project Loshenka or the program will adopt them out to good homes if their rehabilitation went smoothly. I have decided (not that  it was a hard decision) that Copper will be coming home with me once we’re done. I want to continue my work with her to help her gain more confidence and I absolutely adore her. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I left here without her… I have beautiful trails out where I live, she’s going to really enjoy going out on trail rides with me there. I’ve even put together some log jumps in one of the clearings near the one of the trails that I’m sure she’d love.

After talking with Becca I’ve also decided (again not a hard decision at all) to adopt little miss Shadow. I have no self control. I’ve grown very fond of this goofy girl and it makes me so sad that she’s been unwanted for so long. Plus after my last dog passed away I’ve been really lonely. I think we’ve been needing each other…

Copper and I were successful in the Loshenka Makeover Event but our journey is not finished yet. I’m just so happy to be heading home on a positive note and with my Copper and my Shadow... It’s just amazing how all three of our lives completely changed because of a trail ride and a loose dog.
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