Poor little thing he was in puppy mill and wasn't handled by people and is not very friendly but loves other dogs. SInce I want a companion for my Rusty and I want a chiahuhua and I've adopted abused dogs before, he seems like a good fit for me and Rusty. Will take a lot of patience though as he still isn't friendly. Spent an hour and half talking to the rescue lady today and will go see him on Sunday. I'll know better by then if it's the right thing. It's a little scary that she's had him for months since the rescue and he still isn't friendly, but he's not aggressive and doesn't bite or anything, just is still afraid. Something about his picture when I saw it drew me like none of the other dogs that need homes. It's a little more than I intended to take on, but something just seems to be pulling me this way.
It's not like you've never trained an animal. Be objective. If you think you and Rusty are up to the challenge, go for it. Keep in mind that you're making a commitment for Rusty as well as for yourself. How is Rusty going to feel about this new companion? Further, you know you CAN do it, but is this something, at this stage in your and Rusty's lives, that you WANT to do? If it is, that's one lucky little pup!
Rusty likes other dogs and it will give him someone at home while I'm at work. I definitely do want another dog, but this one sounds more challenging than most I could get. Yet there's something about him. And of course I won't take him home if Rusty meets him and they don't get along. Wouldn't be fair to either one.
I once adopted a special-needs dog (serious chronic physical problems), so I know how they can tug at your heartstrings. But the fact that you're not sure is important. Don't feel bad if this isn't the right dog for you. There are plenty of homeless, abused critters who would love to come home with you. And most of them--like my current baby--are grateful for a caring human companion.
What will this dog be like when guests come over? Who will baby sit him when you travel? There's a lot to think about here. This isn't just about Rusty; the dog you choose will be a big part of YOUR next ten to fifteen years, as well.
Main reason I'm not sure is I've not met him yet. But the foster care lady has said she will keep him when I go out of town because yes indeed he isn't the kind of dog I can leave at a kennel (neither is Rusty for different reasons) and until he feels comfortable with me, I don't think it is fair to him to take him off to visit strangers. And guests are pretty rare around here, and most of my friends who do come over are horse people and they will understand when I tell them his story. I think I'm his best chance at a forever home. I do understand abuse all too well which is why most abused animals get along well with me and why I am drawn to them. Rusty wasn't abused but he was close to feral and very scared. My previous dog , Kiki, had been abused and was terrified when we got her. And in high school we had an abused collie that the breeder gave us after she took her away from the abusers. So I know it takes time and patience and I can provide that. The reason why he appeals to me is his picture, there's a look there that make me think he has hope for a better future. I must have looked at a hundred pictures of dogs needing homes, but this one just stopped me in my tracks even before I read his history. There's just something about the look in his eye.
I won't take him though unless I really feel he and I will be able to learn to love each other. And she has other dogs there, might be one of them will leap into my heart instead. Wouldn;t be the first time someone came to look at one and found a different one instead.
if you want to see him go here: http://www.artanimals.org/webListDog.php then click the back link on the page twice and scroll down. His name is Christopher.
Ive just had a look at Christopher....he is soooo cute :o)
Ive homed rescued cats many a time, but not dogs, so i dont feel experienced enough to even attempt to give you any advice..... All i will say is follow your heart....im a big believer in gut reaction, im sure you'll know, either way when you meet him :o)
I've just seen him too HLGEM_1 and I can see why he pulls at your heart strings. He's 7, which is quite old for a new start, but I guess the key question is whether or not he responds to you and you to him when you meet him. I take abused Siamese cats, and have had them at age 10 and over, and they have eventually become happy little cats. I can't give any advice except to say that I've discovered that any peculiar and undesirable behaviour is usually linked to the experience of abuse somehow, and once I accept that and don't blame the cat for being scared of something that really isn't scary (parked bicycle, for instance) or for acting aggressively towards men of a certain height and build (probably like the man who hurt the cat), I can generally work out what happened to them, bit by bit, and if I can't help them to overcome the behaviour, I can at least protect them from other people's responses and keep them out of situations likely to upset them.
I also started with the help of a previous foster mum who guaranteed to take the cat back if I couldn't cope, and helped me understand and not feel rejected by the cat if it would not respond to me or was antagonistic. I almost sent the first one back, but I just kept saying "one more day - I'll try one more day" and eventually that little cat and I became inseparable.
Well I met Christopher today. He's definitely going to be a challenge, so I sat on her kitchen floor for a couple of hours. We started out about 10 or 12 feet apart and he finally got within two feet of me. Then when she was holding him, he let me pat him and even extended his paw out to me to pat. She put some other dogs out with him and he got braver about being near the people when the other dogs were with him and he really likes other dogs. He wil come in from the yard when called and likes to go out and to have his dinner so the logistics of having a dog who isn't immediately friendly are OK. And he wasnt cowering and shivering either, so he's unsure not terrified. I think I can work with all that.
I'l take my Rusty to meet him sometime during 4th of July week. And we'll let that be the final determinator.
Hi, I got 2 rescue dogs too, 5 & 6 years old when they came last September. They were really insecure at first but one settled down after she got to eat & sleep in the same place for 3 nights and the other still sleeps in a box to hide when we're not there but as long as one of us is around they are good. Very spooked by some other people though. One doesn't like men and boys though--only at first if they are gentle & patient she'll give them a chance. The other hates wearing brooms & mops actually whimpers & backs off when I am using one. A book that really really helped us through this was Cesar Millan's book. Now they have bonded to us & each other & I'm healthier because of walking them twice a day and happier from just getting expressed unconditional love every time I go home.
HLGEM-- It sounds promising. From your original posts, I thought the dog might be fear-aggressive and, therefore, dangerous. But what you're describing is a dog who's learned to trust his current foster mom and is willing to give you a chance. My current dog was like that when I brought her home. In fact, since she'd never been in a house, she was terrified to set foot inside. Now (four years later), although she's still shy around new people, she's totally at home around here & her personality has blossomed. Good luck with Christopher. Maybe after all he's been through, he deserves a great mum like you.
HLGEM_1-- dog wearing brooms could be a witch's dog carrying the transport or a cinderellamutt doing the cleaning... I do hope Rusty takes to the new doglet. My 5 yr old is a chihuahua too. The 2 dogs squabble at home (for exercise I suspect) but groom each other, eat side by side & trot around together when we take them for socialisation with other dogs.
Well Christopher came home with me today. He is now prowling around the room trying to see what this new place is. I was able to pat him and cacth him and hold him earlier but I think I'll give him awhile here at my house before I do that again. We'll all just chill awhile first.
Good luck with it HLGEM_1! I'm hoping to adopt a rescue pony, but I can't afford more than one board bill. I was hoping that the big girl had found a new home, but she's being sent back. Here we go again. She's listed on equine.com and equinenow.com, if anyone is interested. Lovely thing, she is.
I had a puppy mill Springer Spaniel (Digger)and an abused German Shepherd/Rottweler mix (Maggie). Maggie actually did NOT take to me at first. I only took her because she was going to be put down that day. It took a while, but she changed from being defensive, scared, and a bit scary. After years of love she totally changed. She finally saw that not all people are mean and violent. She was THE best dog. It was a "meant to be" kinda thing, and I would do it all over in a heartbeat. I had to actually carry her around, all 50 pounds, the last few months, but it was worth it. She died a year ago next week, and I still miss her almost every day.
You're doing a good thing. Someone once told me that abused rescue dogs know on some deep level, that you are their life saver.
HLGEM It is a wonderful thing you are doing. I have also rescued, taken in unwanted animals. I don't think I will ever do a new pup ever again. The foster sheltie, who was only going to be here for a couple of months 6 years ago while the owners figured out their divorce and never left, is my constant shadow. My 16 year old sheltie xxx who we adopted, from a senior lady, when she was 8 is still with us and smiling. The saddest case I ever had was an all black purebred German Shepherd who had been neglected by the breeder. He had had pneumonia and a severe bortadella infection. He was scared of everything and again was my shadow. After many thousands of $$$ in vet bills and a huge operation that failed we lost him at 3 years of age. Anyone that gives a home to an unwanted animal, and shows that animal that life can be good is blessed.
My little beagle died suddenly, and I couldn't stand being dogless. So I started haunting local shelters and rescue groups. One day I was introduced to a beautiful shepherd / basenji mix who had been dumped into the pound when she turned up pregnant. The babies were born in the pound and none of them survived. The dog was sweet and shy and had a corkscrew tail that didn't match the rest of her body. I took one look and said, "We're two grieving mommies. Let's go home and help each other heal." Tyla and I have been together for four and a half years, and it's been beautiful for both of us.
It's amazing, isn't it? When you open your heart to an animal, they fill it ten times over.
i hope your dogs are becoming freinds now ,we have had a few rescue animals and they soon settle into their new home and become locked in your heart ,i cant imagine a home without pets ,we have 2 mad spaniels,3 cats and 4 bunnies and i would love to adopt some guinea pigs as i have 3 empty cages and one hutch vacant .
Well I found out today that Christopher absolutely loves my Italian bean soup. Now he has to learn a bit of basic politeness, it is rude after all to stick your head into someone else's dinner. He was more interested in that soup than in anything else since he's been home. I could almost hear him saying, "Boy that smells good, what is that?" I did give him a small taste when I was done (and Rusty got to lick the bowl after all he was polite and deserved a treat too) and boy did he scoff that up.
Of course the soup was pretty good. It had whole wheat pasta, leeks,garlic, lima beans, green beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, cilantro, basil, parsley, cumin, greek seasoning, seasoned pepper, salt and pepper. Good thing it was good because I'll be munching on it all week.
PJ, here's how to make it (mind you I don't measure anything so my recipe here is a bit loose). Start with a little olive oil in the bottom of your soup pan. Add a peeled and chopped garlic clove and two or three sliced leeks (cutting off the green parts of course) Cook on medium high stirring occasionally until the leeks start to brown. At that point add lima beans (a handful, more if you really like beans, I used fresh, you can use canned/frozen beans if you like), green beans (another handful) and a box of whole wheat pasta (I like the spirally kind) and a can of Fire-roasted tomatoes. Add chicken broth (2 boxes full if using a whole box of pasta, less if you only use half a box). Then add some spices - I threw in oregano (lots), cumin , seasoned pepper, Greek seasoning, salt and pepper. I aslo chopped up fresh cilantro, fresh basil and fresh parsley (however much looks right to you) and threw it in. Turn the burner up to high to get a boil and cook until the pasta is done about 10-15 minutes. Then enjoy. Of course you can change the spices or use a different kind of bean and the orginal recipe called for veggie broth but I didn't have any handy and didn't want to go to the store.
HLGEM - Ohhhhhh I am so happy for you and Christopher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To EVERYONE - The world is a better place because of all of you - people who rescue animals!
I just read my Peta newsletter and cried, and then laughed and was happy that so many are making a difference!
My little Beatrice was abandoned and when I adopted her she was skinny and her fur was greasy and she had a distended belly. She was not well. She has become such a healthy and happy little girl!
Long long day. Got home from my artist date at the Chrysler Museum and there is Christopher standing there on three legs. After a three hour trip to the emergency vet (why do they always do these things on a weekend) and $346 dollars later, I have a dog with a sprained ankle who has to have total rest for 10-14 days. Everybody please send healing mojo and prayer to Christopher, he's too nice a dog to hurt so much. And believe me I'm so very happy it wasn't broken. He was a good boy at the vet - seemed to know we were there to get help.
Glad to hear that the injury wasn't more serious, and the vet bill so low; trust me, we've had some - interesting?!! - vet bills here, so I have a good idea at how expensive taking care of an injured /ailing pet can be. Will be sending lots of love & healing energy to your boy ;}; please keep us posted!
aw poor Christopher ,sending him lots of loving, healing thoughts ,and hope he is soon running around again .At least he is now in a loving home and will get better with all the care you give him ,love flowergirl
Wonderful to hear that Christopher's little ankle has healed nicely. Earning his trust will take time - just give him all the love & space that he needs, and he'll learn that in this home, he is safe...and wanted :}