Hounds on the Highway

  🚨 When Silence Speaks Volumes Every rescuer has met one — the dog who doesn’t bark, wag, or move. The one who hides in the back of the crate and flinches at kindness. These are the  shut-down dogs  — animals who have faced more fear and uncertainty than any creature ever should. They’re not “ broken .” They’re  overwhelmed . And the moment you meet one, your heart knows: this is a dog worth fighting for. 🧠 What’s Really Going On When a dog experiences trauma — neglect, abuse, repeated abandonment — their brain learns to survive by shutting down emotionally. It’s not defiance. It’s  self-protection . Even gentle gestures can feel threatening because their nervous system hasn’t caught up to the fact that they’re finally safe. Safety is new territory — and it takes time to believe in it. You might see signs like: Freezing when approached or touched Avoiding eye contact Ignoring food or play Remaining motionless for hours This is a survival response — their way ...