Tilly's Senior Dog Sanctuary

06/16/2026

06/15/2026

Improvement does not occur in the presence of constant overwhelm. Dogs can't learn how to cope if they are busy trying to avoid the things that are scary. The avoidance will be the way that they learn to copy.

Busy neighborhoods are rich in triggers: unpredictable movement, proximity to unfamiliar dogs and people, noise, and limited ability to create distance. For a reactive patient, this results in repeated activation of the stress response.

When a dog is consistently over threshold:

▶️Sympathetic arousal increases
▶️Cognitive function is impaired so your dog can't learn the behaviors that you are trying to teach
▶️Defensive behaviors are reinforced through repetition without you doing anything except continuing to walk your dog

This is not exposure therapy nor is it desensitization. It is training your dog to BE REACTIVE.

Each reaction strengthens neural pathways associated with threat detection and response. Over time, the behavior becomes more efficient, more intense, and more easily triggered.

Progress happens where the brain is able to process and learn—not where it is in survival mode. If we want different behavior, we have to change the conditions in which behavior occurs.

06/15/2026

Be that weird guy who pulled over and checked on the animal that was hit by a car to see if it was still alive and needed help.

Be the construction worker that left work early while his buddies laughed at him because he found an injured squirrel and wanted to get it to safety.

Be the irritating woman who isn’t afraid to stop traffic because a mama duck is trying to cross the road with her babies.

Be the gross person who isn’t disgusted by a mangy fox and sees it as an animal that needs help from the right people.

Be the aggravating informant who tells the guy buying rat poison what it does to our local wildlife.

Be the uncool kid who stops his friends from trying to hurt a snake they found for fun.

When we start feeling bad or embarrassed for showing EMPATHY toward another and trying to SAVE A LIFE, then we have let the opinions of others mean WAY too much.

Never apologize for being a good and caring human being. There aren’t enough in this world.

Jane Newhouse
Newhouse Wildlife Rescue

06/12/2026

Piglet the Jack Russell seemed to be fading away.

06/11/2026

Duke and April are sweet very gentle duo looking for a home together. they are 8, 20 lbs and get along with dogs, ignore cats and are friendly meeting new people. These two had a happy loving home until their person passed. They would love a quiet home with comfy beds and yummy treats. Apply to adopt:
www.tillysseniordogsanctuary.com
Please SHARE these two again.

06/11/2026

ZERO Applications for April and Duke. Th sweetest most mellow pair! 8 years, 20 lbs, have always had a loving home until their person passed. They are fine with dogs, had no reaction to the cat test at the shelter. These two cuties are looking for a quiet home with comfy beds and yummy treats! Apply to adopt:
www.tillysseniordogsanctuary.com
Please SHARE these two again!