Sox, a three-year-old German wirehaired pointer cross, had a rough start to life – living on a farm as a pig hunting dog. When Sox didn’t perform as expected, she was cast aside and sent
to the local pound. Luckily she was transferred to Lort Smith where her journey from fear to freedom began.

Sox was given the medical treatment she needed including spay, vaccination, microchipping and treatment for a skin condition related to her anxiety. Desperately in need of basic life skills including socialisation and toilet training, Sox went into Lort Smith’s foster program with volunteer Kaitlyn.

During her time in foster care, Sox’s confidence grew. Day by day she improved, and quickly became friends with her feline housemate, Pippa, a 12-year-old tabby domestic short hair. Before long, Kaitlyn realised that Sox was the right dog for her, so she officially adopted Sox.

Sox was enrolled into obedience classes where positive rewards based training helped her to master the basics including ‘sit’ and ‘stay’. Sox’s toileting challenges, especially around men, were more difficult to master. However, Kaitlyn worked hard on this sign of post-traumatic stress disorder, and with time, Sox was toilet trained.

The support Sox received from Lort Smith helped her receive the medical and behavioural attention she needed. We will never really know what happened to Sox before she arrived at Lort Smith. However, we know that with Kaitlyn, Sox will receive the love and care she deserves for the rest of her days.