MARSHALL, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) — There is nothing quite like a smart dog. They can keep life interesting in unexpected ways. Gray at the Marshall Pet Adoption Center was reminded of that firsthand when he met Willow.
Gray went on a call about a feral stray in the Jasper Heights area of Marshall. A “feral stray” is a dog who has not been socialized with people in any way.
That call led to Willow.
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Willow was extremely shy and refused to approach Gray, even when he offered food.
Not wanting to push her too far, Gray told his contact that they could continue to try to socialize her but there was nothing else he could do that day.
A month later, a call came in from over a mile away about a dog sleeping in someone’s bushes. That dog was Willow.
Gray and a coworker tried to catch Willow to no avail at first, she is extremely intelligent and one of the hardest to catch dogs they have ever encountered.
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Traps did not work. On two different occasions, Willow would enter the trap and eat all of the food without setting it off, then exit the trap.
The resolved to try to corner her, but even that proved difficult.
Willow expertly positioned herself. Every time animal control officers closed in, she found ways to angle in between them.
For three hours.
For a mile and a half.
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Willow escaped capture and took officers on a loop throughout the Jasper Heights area all the way back to the back yard of the same house they started out at.
In the four months since, Willow has come out of her shell, interacting with people and other dogs in play groups, but she is still not the most interactive dog.
Once she trusts someone, she prefers cuddling, watching everything going on around her, and just existing together.
If a brilliant, independent, sweet dog would complete your family, you can visit the Marshall Pet Adoption Center at 2502 E. Travis Street in Marshall, Texas. You can reach them by phone at (903) 935-4530. To volunteer, visit the MPAC Volunteer site for more information.
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