Harriet

Harriet the stray arrives at Woodgreen

Frightened and shut down, the one-year-old Terrier cross was worryingly underweight, with very dry and sore skin due to hair loss. The Woodgreen Vet team immediately investigated the cause, which turned out to be a flea infestation. They started treating her coat with medicated baths to soothe and repair her skin.

Helping Harriet recover emotionally

However, Harriet’s woes did not end there. She was still visibly shell-shocked and underweight. The Dog team put together a nutritious diet plan, including tasty treats, and focused on helping her emotionally recover from her ordeal. Shannon, Harriet’s main carer, remembers how traumatized she was, scared of everything and withdrawing from any approach.

Providing comfort and companionship

Shannon went above and beyond to make Harriet feel comfortable in her kennel and help her settle in at Woodgreen. She took things slowly, providing opportunities for Harriet to play and interact with other dogs. These interactions revealed how much she had missed out on in her short life, as she reacted to a toy like it was the first time she had seen one.

Finding the perfect foster home

While out on walks, it was clear that Harriet adored other dogs, her tail wagging whenever she encountered a fellow four-legged friend. To encourage this, the team found her a pair of lovely fosterers, Lucy and Tim, who had a dog named Vera in their home. The joy Harriet found in playing with Vera, along with the home comforts she had likely never experienced, helped her feel safe, loved, and allowed her to start putting on a healthy amount of weight.

A happy ending for Harriet

Harriet’s journey with Woodgreen ended happily when she met her new family during filming of The Dog House. The family, consisting of mum, dad, and their children Yannick and Lottie, had been through a tough period, but it was clear they were going to give Harriet the love she deserved, and they had come into each other’s lives at the right time.