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Niall Harbison@NiallHarbison · Jul 7, 2025

This was Chance when she came in. Probably the most shut down dog we’ve ever had. She wouldn’t even look at me. Much…

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Summary

Chance, a severely traumatized street dog who was stabbed twice, made a remarkable recovery with the help of Hank the Tank, another dog in the home who became her role model and brother figure. Through observing and copying Hank's behavior, Chance learned to trust, accept physical affection, eat from a bowl, sleep in a bed, and overcome her need to escape—transforming from a completely shut-down dog into one who thrives.

Summarized by ThreadOut AI from the full thread. May miss nuance — read the thread below.

  1. #1

    This was Chance when she came in. Probably the most shut down dog we’ve ever had. She wouldn’t even look at me. Much of her recovery is down to one very special dog… (1/8) 🧵

  2. #2

    Chance had been stabbed in the belly twice. She was in physical agony. But her biggest scars were mental… (2/8)

  3. #3

    It took about 6 weeks to get Chance used to touch. Us humans did our bit but it was only when I brought her home that the real change happened (3/8)

  4. #4

    That’s when she met her big brother Hank the Tank and her whole world changed. Chance had lived her whole life on the streets. She is about 10 years old (4/8)

  5. #5

    Chance looks to Hank as her big brother. She watches everything he does and copies it. It’s like she is learning to be a dog. She’ll often drink or eat out of his bowl (5/8)

  6. #6

    She has to sit on the same seat as Hank in the car. Chance also never wanted a bed and slept by the door so she could escape quick. After watching Hank she now sleeps in a bed also (6/8)

  7. #7

    Chance didn’t do any of these things before. I see her watching Hank for a day or two and then she just copies him. It’s so lovely to watch. She often looks at him to see if she is doing it right (7/8)

  8. #8

    The medicines and surgery helped Chance. As did having her own. But I can say with 100% certainty nobody has helped her as much as big Hank the Tank. Her big brother 🥰🙏 (8/8)

  9. #9

    More of Hank and Chance today on my Insta… instagram.com/niall.harbison A follow there helps so so much 🥰🙏