This many not look like much of a picture to almost everyone, but this is me (Sadie) having the bravest day of my life.  When I got to my forever home, I was afraid of pretty much everything.  We used to have a rug in the living room, and that was my island, my sanctuary, the safest spot in my entire world.  As a matter of fact, I pretty much wouldn't leave that rug, until my parents took it away because of a little "accident" I had.  Well, what was I supposed to do - I couldn't leave my island.  My people tried everything, even putting extra rugs on the floor to make a path for me to get to the front door.  It wasn't an easy time for any of us.  Most of the time I just tucked my tail between my legs and shook.  As you can see from this picture, this is the day I finally walked just a little bit on the wooden floor to make it to the next rug.  Mom was so proud of me, she took my picture.  I was pretty proud of me too. 
Mom decided I might learn to not be so afraid if we went to some training.  That is where I met Laura.  She's the nicest person and she has this little pouch that's full of really good treats.  We brought my blanket to training, and I felt OK as long as I could be on my blanket, and I could do just about everything - on my blanket.  I learned sit and down.  Those were so easy - on my blanket.  But I should have known they (Laura, Mom and Dad) would want me to leave my blanket and walk on the bare floor.  When I had to do that, I just shook.  Laura (and Mom and Dad) were really patient and after just a few lessons, I was doing pretty good.  I could walk on bare floors and hardly ever shake.  Sometimes I still get afraid, but everything improves when I can spend a little time on my blanket.