Background:  My cousin, an animal communicator, sent us this information about our rescued dog, Zippy's, background based on a trans-continental telepathic session.  It's quite fascinating and it contains enough verifiable detail that its more than a bit amazing:

I checked in with Zippy yesterday, (Thursday), to ask about her past. Because the communication is in my head, I never know if it is valid or imagination, until the people reply and confirm. With her past, we can't do much checking, so I'll just tell you what I got, and take it for what it's worth. I have checked into other rescue animals' pasts many times, and never gotten a story so dramatic, just to let you know. Typically, they have very common background lives.
 
Zippy ~ August 12, 10 am ~ I think that Zippy was purchased from a mall pet store for a little girl. The girl looks about 8 yrs old (give or take a yr or two?), and she picked out Zippy a couple years ago. She looked into a glass window about her eye level to see Zippy in the pet store. The girl had some type of illness from when she was very young, probably since birth. I think something with her heart.....? The parents were aware of the condition, and that it meant their daughter would not have a long life. She always wanted a dog, though they weren't particularly 'dog people', but of course they decided to let her get one. When she chose Zippy, she wasn't  showing many symptoms, or having many difficulties yet. I don't think she knew at the time, even though her family and doctors did. She has one older brother, very close to her age, probably a year or two older.
 
Zippy was perfect for her; playful and gentle, funny and sweet. She always knew what the little girl needed.  As the girl's symptoms progressed, Zippy fit into whatever was needed: car rides to the clinic, or staying with a friend if the girl was gone for a while, but mostly sleeping curled up on the girl's bed with her. I think Zippy was used to staying with a neighbor/friend. Zippy was definitely for the little girl, and the rest of the family never had a 'heart connection' with her.
 
This happened in a home that was not theirs. They moved into the area to be close to the clinic. When their daughter died, they took Zippy to the shelter before moving back home. I think because of a combination of reasons: they weren't 'dog people', they were moving back home, it was too difficult emotionally to have Zippy, they never had 'connected' with her especially, etc. It just seemed like the better choice. They're kind people, and it was a sad decision for them, but they also had a lot on their plates.
 
Zippy settled in at the shelter, waiting for them to come back and get her, like they always had before. Of course, they didn't come back, and when someone else got her, this all fit with what she knew, too. She was used to other people taking care of her, taking her to other houses, and finally taking her back to her home when the little girl came back, so she handled all this pretty well, just expecting to get back home eventually. Your friend should be able to let you know how Zippy reacted along the way. It also might be interesting to check if there are any types of childrens' medical facilities within 40 minutes or so of the shelter where they got her.
 
So.... now Zippy finds herself at the next house, your house, where she thought she was still waiting to be taken home, to curl up in bed with the little girl. Very sad: as of yesterday (Thursday morning), I don't think Zippy knew you are her new family. She has a lot to process. Since she thought you were a temporary stop for her, she was never really invested in you or your home. I think this has much to do with the pooping in the house, too.
 
Everything in your house is pretty inter-changeable for either dog (beds, toys, etc). Once before, when a dog didn't believe that their new home would be their forever home, items with their name on it was what they wanted. I don't think that will help Zippy. Funny as it sounds, she shows a small painting of her up in your house, as a way for her to feel permanent.  I don't know if this is a literal description or just part of the 'painting' translation, but it looks pretty small ~ 7" X 7" - ish.... ? and not extremely realistic, but not cartoonish, either. Maybe watercolor, or something like this http://fineartamerica.com/featured/bernese-mountain-dog-kaytee-esser.html   ?
Do you know anyone who could paint something like that from a photo?
 
ALSO: I'll talk to Zippy more about  you are her family forever, and the importance of not pooping in the house. You two should tell her often how much you love her, and she's a part of your family forever now. You need to keep this up for a while. The other suggestion is for Randy to take Zippy on walks regularly, on a leash. This will help her see you as her pack leader, instead of a temporary stop. You can both be equal pack leaders, but I think Randy has a little more connection to her right now.
 
If this sounds goofy to you, just refer back to the original paragraph above.