Martha

Meet Martha

Martha is our sweet, shy little angel - a girl who is still waiting to discover that the world isn't quite as frightening as she sometimes imagines.

Of somewhat dubious descent, but looking rather like a very small Boxer, we have decided that Martha must be a ¨Boxedenco¨. Definitely not a Boxpod - that sounds far too technical - and absolutely not a Poxer. Ewwww.

Martha is a timid girl, although she is sweet and friendly with her many canine friends. In fact, you might be forgiven for thinking that she isn't particularly interested in humans at all. But try ignoring her and you may soon find yourself unwittingly playing a very slow-motion version of “I'm following you… but if you turn around, I'll freeze!” She'll quietly follow, getting a little closer each time, until she realises you've noticed her and suddenly becomes fascinated by something else entirely.

Every now and then, though, Martha surprises us. She may come quietly over for a very gentle, fleeting stroke before retreating again, as if she's not entirely sure what just happened. These little moments tell us there is much more going on behind those cautious eyes. We believe that, in a different environment, with stability, consistency and someone she can learn to trust, Martha will gradually let her guard down and discover that being close to people can be rather lovely.

Interestingly, once she's out walking, we see another little glimpse of the Martha that could be. She walks beautifully on the lead and is happy to head out with her pen mates. At first, she is constantly scanning the horizon for any possible sign of danger, but the more she walks, the more she begins to forget herself. An interesting sniff will distract her. A new smell to investigate will win her attention. And, naturally, the possibility of a treat can work wonders.

Martha is the kind of dog who will need an adopter with patience and empathy - she isn't going to arrive at your home and immediately throw herself onto the sofa demanding belly rubs. Her progress will probably be measured in small steps: choosing to come a little closer, relaxing a little sooner, exploring a little further, and eventually deciding that you are someone worth trusting. But those tiny victories can be incredibly rewarding.

What Martha needs most is someone who will never rush her, but will gently show her that the world is a fun and exciting place - one that belongs to her just as much as anyone else. A calm home, predictable routines, kind encouragement and plenty of positive experiences will help her confidence grow. And, of course, a plentiful supply of chicken and ear-scratches may help convince her that there are considerably fewer dragons out there than she currently suspects.

Martha may take a little time to get to know, but perhaps that's exactly what makes her worth getting to know.

Come and meet her. Ignore her if you can. We suspect she'll be watching you very carefully - and possibly following you when you're not looking...