How this viral Alberta dog is doing one year after she stole our hearts
After spending nearly two years at the Cochrane Humane Society, Paddy is now thriving in her forever home one year after adoption.
The seven-year-old border collie mix went viral last August when the shelter posted a video showing her on her first day in care alongside a photo taken 716 days later. The post drew millions of views, sparking a wave of support and leading to her adoption just before her second anniversary at the facility.
Adjusting from shelter life to a home took time, Paddy’s owner, Lisa Soares, told Daily Hive.
Paddy bonded immediately with her new mom, often curling up in her lap for cuddles and playtime. Building trust with her new dad, Joey, took about six months, but patience and space helped her warm up.
“Now, she watches him leave for work each day and cries as his car pulls away,” Soares said.
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When Paddy first arrived, she struggled with severe reactivity toward other dogs. Her outbursts sometimes turned dangerous, once dragging Lisa down concrete stairs and causing a broken rib, and on two other occasions, concussions.
The family turned to Calgary-area dog trainer Hayl’s Hounds, enrolling Paddy in an intensive four-month program. The training focused on helping her decompress and channel her energy in healthy ways, while giving her parents the tools to help her feel secure. The change has been dramatic, Soares said, and Paddy’s reactivity has improved by about 90 per cent, though it’s still a work in progress.
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“We couldn’t be prouder of how far she’s come.”
Paddy’s routine now involves plenty of rest and mental downtime, with a weekly trip to a private off-leash park where she can play fetch and sprint to her heart’s content.
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Today, Paddy is a confident, affectionate dog with a big personality, her family says. She loves sitting on the balcony to watch the world go by, and loves making sure the neighbours know she’s there. She “dances” with her family in the living room, smiles when she gets a hug, and will gently place a paw on mom’s hand a few minutes before her 5 p.m. dinner.
“Watching Paddy grow into the happy, cuddly, confident girl she is today has been the most rewarding experience of our lives,” Soares said.
“She makes us laugh every day, and it’s clear she knows she’s finally in a safe, loving forever home.”