From Rescue to Family: One Dog's Journey and Her Battle With Separation Anxiety

In October, we brought home a new family member. We didn’t know much about her past, only that she had a kind, gentle demeanor and eyes that just begged to be loved. She was everything we never knew we needed, and her name is Bonita.

We had never owned a dog before. Our daughters had been asking for years, but we kept putting it off. Not because we didn’t love animals, but because our lifestyle as full-time travelers didn’t exactly scream “ideal for dog ownership.” We liked the freedom to come and go, especially with the flexibility to visit national parks, many of which aren’t super pet-friendly.

But over time, our travel rhythm changed. We slowed down, stayed in places longer, and began to feel like maybe, just maybe, a dog could fit into our world.

Then we met Bonita at a rescue in Arizona. Love at first sight isn’t an exaggeration. She climbed into our hearts like she’d always belonged there.

Attempt #1 was a soft-sided, easy-fold crate. We assumed it would be fine for such a docile dog. We were wrong. The zipper broke. Maybe she leaned on it? We gave her the benefit of the doubt.

Attempt #2 was a “better” soft-sided crate. Higher quality, better reviews. She broke out in under 10 minutes.

Okay, clearly she had some skills.

Attempt #3: a solid metal crate. This time we eased her into it with crate training while we were home. We were committed to making it her safe place.

Then one day I left briefly while the rest of the family was at the pool. I came back and... she had destroyed the metal crate.

At that point, it was clear we were dealing with something much deeper than general discomfort. Bonita had severe separation anxiety.

At the time, we were staying in St. George, Utah, for a couple of months, so it was the perfect opportunity to work with a professional. That’s when we found Heather Bruley of The Project K9.

Heather wasn’t just a dog trainer—she became a source of support for us, too.

She helped us understand Bonita’s behavior, not just manage it.
She gave us practical tips and realistic expectations.
She offered us patience, guidance, and encouragement when we felt overwhelmed.

Her training methods included structured routines, desensitization, daycare stays, and even overnight support. We were finally seeing progress.

Here are a few of the biggest game-changers in Bonita’s journey:

✅ Investing in a Ruffland Kennel – This crate is escape-proof, and more importantly, it’s safe. Bonita couldn’t destroy it, and we focused on making it her “den” by having her spend time there often - relaxing, napping, or just hanging out.

✅ Building Positive Associations – For weeks, the kennel became her place to be when she wasn’t eating, walking, or playing. It wasn’t punishment, it was comfort.

✅ Using a Pet Camera – This allowed us to watch her in real time while we were gone, helping us spot patterns and triggers.

✅ Sticking to a Routine – Once we started our summer camphosting gig, we noticed a turning point. The daily consistency of being left alone for short stretches helped build her tolerance and trust that we would always come back.

✅ Dealing With Door Knocks – As camp hosts, people knock. A lot. Bonita doesn’t care if we’re home. But if someone knocks while we’re gone, she panics. We now hang a sign asking guests not to knock when no one answers, a small step that makes a big difference.