NEWBERG, Ore. — Ladybug has spent 144 days at the Newberg Animal Shelter, longer than any other dog currently in residence — and shelter staff say her story is a reminder that fear and aggression aren’t the same thing.
The 6-year-old red heeler, or Australian Cattle Dog, came to the shelter from the county after being found running at large. According to shelter staff, Ladybug had been living alone in a yard after her owner passed away; family members brought her food but were unable to take her in, and she eventually got loose. She had little to no experience living indoors, staff said, which made the shift to a shelter environment especially difficult.
When she arrived, Ladybug was frightened and defensive enough that county staff needed catch poles to transport her safely. Shelter staff said that without intervention, euthanasia was a likely outcome for her.
Instead, two staff members began working with her individually. Progress was slow at first — for weeks, only those two could safely handle her — but months of patient, consistent interaction have paid off. Today, the majority of shelter staff can work with Ladybug safely, and she continues to grow more comfortable with new people.
One employee she has bonded with recently took her on a field trip to his vineyard, where she spent the afternoon running the property and meeting a horse from a neighboring property.
Shelter staff describe Ladybug as a dog who needs a patient, experienced adopter willing to let her set the pace — someone who understands that her progress, while real, may not always be linear. The shelter said it is open to a foster-to-adopt arrangement, which would allow Ladybug to decompress in a home environment while she continues to build trust.
The Newberg Animal Shelter is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To ask about Ladybug, contact the shelter at its website or by calling (503) 554-9285.
