When Erin adopted Martha, she knew the boxer came with baggage. She was standoffish, had a visible scar down her back, and didn’t like people or other dogs. She had been at the rescue the longest. No one seemed to want her.
But Erin saw something in her.
“She climbed right into my lap,” Erin said. “That’s when I knew—she was mine.”
Martha wasn’t like most boxers. While the breed is usually playful and full of energy, Martha was more reserved. Grumpy, even. She didn’t show affection easily. No kisses. No tail wags. She preferred to be left alone. And she especially didn’t like dogs.
But something changed when Erin took her to the park.
Martha noticed the squirrels first. Instead of chasing them like most dogs, she simply watched. Calm. Curious. Non-aggressive. Erin picked up on it right away and decided to do something different. She started sitting with Martha near the trees—just quietly, letting the squirrels come and go.
What happened next was completely unexpected.
“One squirrel came right down to her face,” Erin recalled. “And Martha just… let it. She didn’t move.”
From that day on, the squirrels seemed to recognize her. As soon as Martha and Erin would arrive at the park, the squirrels would come down to greet her. Some would gently kiss her paws. Others would sit close, trusting her completely. It was like an unspoken connection had formed.
Martha loved it. She started pulling Erin toward the trees during every park visit, eager to see her tiny friends. She remained still and calm, knowing they’d only stay if she didn’t scare them.
“The whole thing doesn’t even make sense,” Erin admitted. “There’s no dog that lets squirrels come that close. But Martha does. And they just hang out together.”
The squirrels did more than just give Martha company—they helped her heal.
Over time, Martha softened. Her grumpiness faded. She even began to warm up to other dogs. Slowly, she made a few canine friends. She started trusting people more. She became a different dog.
“A sweeter dog,” Erin said, “because of hanging out with the squirrels.”
Martha, once labeled unadoptable, is now proof that even the most misunderstood dogs can change. All it takes is patience—and maybe a few furry, tree-climbing friends.
“I share her story because I hope it changes how people see dogs like her,” Erin said. “There’s always a way forward, even if it looks a little unusual.”
