Support Sassafras' Journey to Health and Happiness

Hi, I'm Sassafras. I'm a young rottie pup, about a year old. My previous owners decided they didn't want me anymore and threw me out of their SUV on a country road. I don't know why they did this. I'm a sweet girl but I'm now afraid of people and cars.

Some very nice people left food for me on their porches but when they tried to pet me, I'd run away. I was so scared. As I wandered lonely and afraid, I heard some dogs so I went to investigate. (I'm pretty nosey.) First, I found a couple of German Shepherds but they were mean to me so I ran away. Near by, I heard more dogs. When I got there, I saw these big dogs who looked happy and healthy. This man came out and spoke to me but I was too afraid so I ran. I saw that he left me some food in a large kennel so I snuck in, ate the food, then left. This happened again the next day. On the third day, he tricked me and closed the kennel gate. I refused to go anywhere near him but the big dogs (Cane Corsos) let me know he was OK. He brought me food..., 3 bowls of food. This made me happy but I still didn't trust him. He didn't know it, but someone in my past didn't treat me right.

The next morning, this lady came to the kennel and just sat outside and talked softly to me. I tried to get near her but I was still so nervous. She left but came back later that afternoon and brought some yummy liver treats, which she called Uncke Jay's Doggy Crack. When she tossed me one, I let it fall but finally decided to give it a try - Yummy! Maybe she's not so bad after all. After talking to me and the man, she left and didn't leave me any of the treats. I was kind of sad. But, she came back later with another man and another dog. I love other dogs! She introduced herself as Barbara, and the man was Greg and the dog was Bronwyn. The humans sat down while Bronwyn smelled and smelled and smelled her way around the kennel. I liked her. She seemed to love her humans. Maybe they weren't so bad. I mean, the other human man who trapped (rescued) me was named Hunter and he was kind and patient too.

Next thing I know, I was gingerly taking treats from the humans- and it was good! Pretty soon, another human showed up. They called him Sam. He was so patient with me. He talked to me and even got down on the ground with me. I liked Sam. He gave me more treats. Sadly, after 4 hours, everyone had to leave.

The next day, Hunter gave me breakfast, Sam came over, then Barbara got there. Although it took a long time, like 4 more hours, I let Sam slip a leash over my head while Barbara talked softly to me. For the next hour or so, Sam worked with me, talked to me, and even laid down with me until I decided he was good. I let him put a collar and leash on me. Then, he handed me off to Barbara. They tried to convince me to get into her truck but I adamantly refused. She said she'd walk me home since it was only a couple of miles. Sam and Hunter said good bye and Barbara and I headed down the driveway.

Well, truth be told, I still wssnt so sure about all this. I was tired and it was hot and it was a long driveway. 20 minutes, and several stops later, we finally made it to the road. What I didn't know was that Barbara called her friend Bonnie and arranged to meet her there. Bonnie brought us some water and more treats. After 45 more minutes, they finally got me to agree, although reluctantly, to get in the car. (Yes, it did take both of them to do it.) Off we went to my new home. They drove the car into the back yard and closed the gate. I was home. They open the door for me. I jumped out and immediately hid from every one. I was really scared again. That is until Bronwyn came out. I remember her!!! Pretty soon, there was food and water for me. And guess what? There were two more rottweilers for me to play with. Barbara said she was my new mom and the other lady said to call her Aunt Bonnie.

After playing, and more hiding, another man came out. I remembered him from yesterday. (Was his name Greg?) Well, he said he was my new dad and that the other dogs are my half brother, Brody and my cousin, Jennings, who was just visiting for the weekend. That night after dinner, I decided to stay on the porch for the night. It was covered and they left me more food and fresh water. There was even a giant, fluffy bed and toys out there for me.

The next morning, they brought me out more food, and all three dogs came out to play. I still wasn't too sure about the humans, but I was beginning to think they might be okay. They sat on the porch on and off all day, along with talking to me, offering me treats, and reassuring me that I was safe and would be taken care of. My new mom mentioned something about me, possibly being pregnant. I'm not sure what she meant but time will tell.

Later that evening I watched my new sister, my half brother, and my cousin walk through a wall. I didn't know what was going on. When mom opened a door, all the dogs came back out again. They check me out and then turned around and went back through the door. Dad and Aunt Bonnie encouraged me to follow them. They went inside the house. Can I really come inside? I slowly put one paw inside the door and waited. I then put my second paw inside the door. I waited to be yelled at, but it didn't happen. I must have stood there forever until mom said it was OK. I couldn't do it, I just wasn't ready yet. All the humans went inside and disappeared. I could hear them talking, and I could smell food. I screwed up all my courage, came inside, and slunk down the hallway as quiet as I possibly could. When I got to where I could see everybody, they all said YAY then gave me a treat. Pretty soon, I was playing with my new dog family while the humans watched. We all went back outside and they closed the door. Now, what am I going to do? I want back inside. I watched the other dogs disappear through the wall again and decided I needed to investigate. What is this contraption? Doggy door you say? I watched my sister and cousin go through it and when I stuck my head in, the flap smacked me on my nose. I skittered backwards and just looked at that thing. I know if they can do it, I can do it. My half brother looked at me and then went through, so I thought I'd give it another try. Okay I see how this works. I just have to push and keep on going. Well, it did take me a couple of tries, but by gosh, I did it, and I did it all by myself. Mom and dad kept saying how smart I was, and how proud of me they were, then they gave me more treats. I like treats. I'm beginning to think I like my mom and dad a lot too. This could be a great home.

I've now been here a week, and what a week it has been! I was beginning to think my name was 'No' but they started calling me Sassy Pants. I think that was because every time they told me to stop doing something, I would just look at them, tilt my head cutely, and bark at them. (Yeah, I do have a little bit of an attitude, but it's all good.) Mom uploaded a whole bunch of videos of my rescue and asked for help in deciding the right name. They narrowed it down to either Phoenix or Sassafras. Mom asked her Facebook friends and would you believe it came in as a tie?! Dad was the tiebreaker, and he said Sassafras. So I am officially Miss. Sassafras 'Sassy Pants' Phoenix Brown. I am already learning my new name, too.

Today, Mom and dad took me to the vet. We were there for long time. They were taking blood and my temperature and said something about a stool sample. This was not a fun trip. Mom said it wasn't cheap either and that it's a good thing she's falling in love with me. Dad shook his head and said true, it's a good thing. I weighed in at 71.7 pounds but they said I was still too skinny for my age, which they are guessing is about one year old. I don't like it, but I have to go back in another three weeks and have all of this done again. They tell me it's for my own good, but I'm not sure I believe them yet. That also means I have to get in that scary car again. At least they brought my sister with me and that helped. They told the doctor that Bronwyn was my therapy dog. I hate to admit it, but they're kind of right. I feel much better having her there with me.

Mom also talked to the trainer today. She wants to hire him to start training me and helping me get over all my anxieties. I know I'm going to take a lot of work. But I am so thankful that I have found the right family to help me. Now, I'm hoping you can help them. Mom and dad were not prepared for the extra vet bills and the training for me, but they're trying to do their best. Mom has a long history of rescuing rottweilers and knows the process can be long and arduous. She's promised not to give up on me, so I'm here to help her. I admit it, I have some really weird quirks, including trust issues and separation stress anxiety. During the day, while mom and dad are at work, Aunt Bonnie is staying with me. It's a great short term solution, because that means Brody is here too. The long term solution may have to be me and Bronwyn going to doggy daycare while they're at work. There's a lot to figure out and it's going to take time. Please consider helping my family and me. I promise to try to be the best doggy I can be.