Enola: From Fear to Trust

Enola is our pack leader today, but she wasn't always the confident dog she is now. After losing Luke, I went seventeen years without another dog. Then I saw Enola, in a post on Facebook, from someone I didn’t even know. Enola, was a dog that I could tell was some mix of Golden Retriever—and immediately said, "That's my dog." Once we had her at our home, I realized the other mix was a Chow Chow, which was also a dog I have had in the past. They are highly intelligent, an extremely independent thinking breed of dog.

When Enola came into our lives, she had been on her own for at least six months, roaming the streets. Her former owners were found by Enola’s microchip, and they told Animal Control they didn't want her back. Their reason? “She had been gone a long time”. They confirmed she had been gone for at least six months. It is my conclusion, that she had been abandoned and likely abused. She was fearful, reactive, and carried a bite history rooted in trauma. Like many dogs who have experienced uncertainty and fear, she didn't need punishment—she needed understanding, structure, and someone she could trust.

Through consistent walks, clear guidance, patience, and my learning her triggers, Enola began to realize she no longer had to face the world alone. As her trust in me grew and mine in her, so did her confidence. The dog who once reacted out of fear became the dog I now rely on most when navigating interactions with other dogs.

Today, Enola is balanced, thoughtful, patient, and secure. She knows I will advocate for her, step in when needed, and remove her from a situation when that is what she needs. Because she trusts me to do that, she no longer feels responsible for protecting herself from everything around her.

Her journey has taken her to the beach, the mountains, and even kayaking adventures. Despite severe hip dysplasia and chronic allergies, we have learned to work within her physical limitations—respecting what her body needs while continuing to help her build confidence and experience the world.

At nearly 12 years old, Enola is slowing down, but she continues to teach me something important every day:

Healing happens when we build trust, trust takes time, and healing from trauma cannot happen until that trust is rebuilt.

Matted female Golden Retriever standing in a backyard lawn
Golden retriever puppy lying on its back in grass while wearing a green harness and leash
Happy Golden Retriever/Chow Chow mix dog standing on a groomers table.

Enola’s Facebook Post 9/20/2020

A Golden Retriever/Chow Chow mix dog wearing a green collar sleeping on a patterned rug beside a beige ottoman.

Enola’s First Day as a Foster (She had to have a hair cut and multiple baths. She had been sprayed by a skunk while out on her six months of adventures-Ewww!!) 9/29/2020

A Golden Retriever/Chow Chow dog wearing a watermelon-print bandana.

Decompressing in the sun 9/30/2020

Two dogs standing behind a chain-link kennel fence, including a Golden Retriever/Chow Chow dog in front and a black wirehaired dog standing behind it.
Two tired dogs relaxing on a sandy beach beneath a beach umbrella, with a tennis ball lying beside the black dog.

Gotcha Day!! A Foster No More!! 10/6/2020

In April of 2022, my Mom drove all the way back from the beach immediately after arriving there, when my vet called to say that Basha and I were fighting each other. Knowing that was out of the normal for us and that we were the best of buddies, she knew we were stressed. She drove all the way back, picked us up, turned around, and drove us right back to the beach. We had the best time, and this is how she discovered we LOVE the beach!

A Golden Retriever/Chow Chow dog lying in a soft pet bed beside colorful plush toys.
A Golden Retriever/Chow Chow sleeping on layered gray, pink, and cream blankets in a pet bed.

After a full day that included a bath, bed shopping, toys and treats, she was ready for bed. 9/29/2020

A Golden Retriever/Chow Chow wearing a “Do Not Pet” vest, sitting on a sidewalk, in a small town, at night.
Two dogs on leashes walk along a residential sidewalk at night, with parked cars, houses, and streetlights in the background.

By November 2020, I had gained weight, was getting good rest, walking consistently, and though I still had triggers, I was learning to follow instructions and to trust. I did most of my learning during our walks. By 4/29/2021, I no longer had to wear my “Do Not Pet” vest because I learned that people weren’t trying to hurt me and that I didn’t have to bite to protect myself.

A Golden Retriever/Chow Chow dog playing in deep snow.

I LOVE SNOW!! 1/18/2022

A Golden Retriever/Chow Chow dog, with a colorful dyed tail, standing in a grassy backyard, with a black wirehaired dog.

I’m 12 now, and so is Basha. This was taken April 8, 2026. We are still besties, and we are the OG’s. No one will ever know how much I travelled or what I experienced during my time spent on the road alone, before I found my way onto Facebook. The fact that I survived at all is a miracle.

Basha and I may be slowing down now, but we are together, and I trust that. I trust my family. I trust that I have my home, and I trust that I am loved.

Most importantly, I am able to trust people again, and with some patience, and a good bit of walking, I made my ComeBack.

Let my mom, help your pup, make their ComeBack.

Stay Tuned for more adventures~

Love, Enola