Harder Than You Think
On November 20th I posted a story, "Don't Be Afraid Little One." I had finally captured a small stray dog and brought him into my home. I got a good dressing down from several friends who read,' Cool Dog Hall of Fame,' every day. They said, "You make it sound so easy, why don't you tell it like it really is?" I suppose that for me, getting that dog into my home where he will be cared was a celebration for me. Anyone who willingly adopts, fosters or hauls strays home, knows it is a challenge, financially, physically, hard on the heart strings, plus be prepared to change your life style.
The small dog I recently rescued after hiding under a shed for days before I could coax him out, is proving to be a challenge. I expected that. I call him Eddy for no other reason than the name wears well on him. He weighs about 15 pounds. His coat is fuzzy, not long, brown with mottled spots of grey and white. One ear stands up, the other flops over. He is missing part of his tail, someone or something chopped it off. The end is still healing. His paws and rump are painful to see, and touch. We (his vet and I) think he sat in a metal cage, in a pool of his own urine.
Around his neck was a thin plastic rope. Part of it had actually grown into his skin. It had to be taken out at the animal clinic. We found deep bite marks, long slashing wounds, fleas, both ears infected, and small burn marks that sadly look like cigarette burns. He had been neutered. His physical wounds are taken care of. Shots up to date, he accepts his daily ear treatment, and wound dressings without a peep out of him. He even licks my hands. Eventually he will heal and blossom into a handsome wee boy.
When a stray comes into my home, everything changes. Eddy had to be isolated until he was vet checked. He is extremely timid. If the phone rings, or someone comes to the door, he'll become so agitated he looses control over his bladder and bowels. He either glues himself to me, or hides behind the couch, shivering. He has no idea of play. Jasper, my toy dog play-bows to him. Eddy looks at me, puzzled. Jasper will bring a toy. No response. Dog treats are usually ignored or wolfed down. It's like he's missed his entire pupppyhood.
Patience. A lot of it is needed. In Eddy's case, he will need to be taught how to play, encouraged to grab a toy for himself, to leave my side and run for the fun of it. His self confidence needs to be nurtured. Trust has to be built, one step at a time. He may always carry some mental anguish, but he'll learn how to deal with it.
I am not a dog trainer, or expert of dogs, but I do have years of experince in caring for the unwanted, hurt canines. The biggest issue with stays, fear. It rules their lives. I've had a few dogs who would snarl, show thier teeth and yes, I've been bitten. Do all of my dogs have happy endings? No. Two dogs were so badly unhinged mentally, they would tear into any human with a fierce vengance. I couldn't allow them to go into a home where someone would be in danger of being mauled, especially a child! After months of work, with each of them, they showed no signs at all of trust or respect for me or other animals. The vet put them down. Their misery was over.
Forget about a social life. Last night I was so looking forward to going to a movie. However Eddy had been to the vets, for another neck dressing. Somewhere in the animal clinic a dog was wailing his head off. Eddy freaked! Once home, he whimpered, shivered, flinching at any noise from outside. I couldn't leave him in that state. I put some lively music on, got on the floor with Eddy, my dog and cat I'm still babysitting then gave Eddy a nice long belly rub. We ended up in a nice muddle, of dog, cat and human. I taught Eddy how to shake a paw. Gently as his feet hurt. He was SO very proud of himself! He even flopped his body up against the cat who hissed like a small tiger. Eddy presented his paw to her. A tiny victory! Each day Eddy will progress until he no longer needs me. It may take months. Then he'll move on, leaving a space for another stray. I will celebrate his new life.
