14/01/2020
We have had Bountiful, Missy B, back in our home since December 14th and we have been working with her to overcome her fear aggression. She has been doing amazing and we have high hopes for her finding a forever family. But first, I want to share an article from the Organization Fluffy Dog Rescue. Worth a read. Please.
Fluffy Dog Rescue:
I took this from another rescues page, but I think they took the words out of my mouth. I have been rescuing dogs for over thirteen years and 4,000 dogs, so I believe I am qualified to say this. "A rescue dog is not for everyone, and the dog in the photo you fell in love with might not be a match for you."
We don't get many returns, but when we do the dog may never recover from it. In the past couple of weeks these dogs have come back and I think we are hitting three huge areas that need addressing.
Jemma-A puppy adopted by a couple where the husband was 63 years old. This is not an age that we would say you shouldn't have a dog, but you need to consider what the next fifteen years of your life might look like and will you be able to care for a dog. In this case, no. After three years we have a very scared, confused dog that could potentially be aggressive due to this. The couple is moving to 55 and older housing.
Bountiful-I fostered this young Yorkie/Doxie mix with her sister. They then went to separate foster homes. The sister was adopted and is doing great. Bounty had some challenges in her foster home and both the home visit volunteer and foster discussed this with the adopter. After four days the adopter wanted to return her. She did keep her awhile longer and did bring in a Behaviorist as we suggested. In the end, they said they just didn't want a dog they had to put work into. Bounty did not stop shaking for twelve hours after she was returned. I took her home to try to calm her down. I even used some essential oils. After about a month, Bounty is doing great with me. She is fine with the dogs that we have here. If a new dog comes around she is fearful and will bark. If a new person comes around, or my husband that she seems to not recognize all the time comes in, she will bark and might even try to go after his legs. We have people come over and work with her, but her breed and whatever has been done to her has made her so fearful that she feels the need to protect herself at all times. This is really a horrible way to live.
Ollie-A cockapoo, will be surrendered tomorrow. He was adopted two years ago and the adopter has now adopted a ten month old child. She is fearful that Ollie could hurt the child, as she is now mobile and goes toward Ollie. Ollie is on anxiety meds and has nipped in the past. The first thing we will do is wean Ollie off these meds. When he came to us he was our "ball dog". All he wanted was his ball. He had a ton of energy and needed to have running exercise and mental stimulation. Seriously all dogs need and deserve this.
This point of running exercise and mental stimulation is one that we really can't gloss over. The question every one of our home visit volunteers asks is "How will you run this dog daily?" If you can't, you shouldn't be looking at a dog under the age of seven and for sure not a terrier.
I just had a woman that was 66 years old apply for Provo. He is a 2 year old 24 lb. Border Collie mix that was feral and from a hoarding situation. While we were greatly praised for taking in these six dogs, five of them have been in rescue with us for over six months. They take a special adopter. Special? Someone that is patient, has common sense, the ability to research, learn and reinforce what they have learned with the dog. I don't know. Does that constitute special? I think every adopter should be that way. So when I told the applicant that the dog was feral, she responded by saying, "what is feral." I don't know. If you didn't know, maybe look it up. When I told her she may not be able to touch him due to his lack of socialization with humans, she said she lived alone and would be patient. Oh, I guess you didn't see on the listing that he needed another dog in the home. Anyway, I said he will need running exercise daily and if he decides he is scared, will you be able to control him. Will you be able to pick him up and carry him home. She said, I guess you don't want me to have a dog. No, I want you to think and make the right decision. We are here to help, but the dog we select might not be the one that looks like a stuffed animal.
Just one more. So this is right off the comments of a recent application. "Our one must, is that we have a dog that will welcome our families when they come to visit or at least not be afraid of people and can be left alone during the day. I do want the personality to be a good fit with cats and a grandchild coming this year. We have flexibility to have a kennel in our heated garage for a more active dog if initially being alone in our house with the cats is not a good idea." Well, the dog/cat relationship has as much to do with the cat as the dog. Can't really tell you, but nice to know that if things don't work out you will just put the dog out to live in the garage, until????? Then, your unborn grandchild. Are you asking me how this dog will get along with him/her? Well, we don't adopt to families with children under six years of age. This is because it is before the age of reason. This is not something we made up or because we don't like children. It is a scientific fact. With that said, we then need the adults to do the reasoning. Never leave a child alone with a dog.
So now to the posting from the other rescue. We thank you for caring about our rescue dogs. Please also understand that a rescue dog might not be a fit for you, your sister or your mom. Let them make the decision. Guide them to our website where we have a Resources page to help educate them. Right now most of our dogs are special needs because of their behaviors, or shall I say because people were not willing to put the work into them. Please consider this when applying to bring one into your home.
"Let's talk about decompression.
Decompression is a fancy word for "I don't know where the heck I am, who the heck you are, who the heck they are and or what the heck I'm supposed to do".
Change is stressful. Consider your own stress responses. Are you a little edgy? A little shy? Does your stomach hurt? Do you eat things you're not supposed to (I'm talking to you, the one who shoves handfuls of chocolate chips in their mouth). These experiences are magnified for dogs because they cannot rationalize the transitions. They don't know that a new home is a good thing. They just know that nothing looks, smells, or sounds the same.
The need for decompression is such a vital thing with rescue. It's the reason we have adopters read the long articles about stress response. It's the reason we ask how long you'll give a dog time to adjust. It's the reason we remind adopters to go slow with everything, especially in those first 72 hours. It's why, unless there is a safety issue, we ask that you simply let your new pooch "be" so that their minds and their bodies can relax. And, it is completely normal to feel apprehensive when a new addition joins your family. Decompression isn't just something the new pup is going through....you and your resident animals are experiencing it as well!
Unfortunately (though rarely), decompression isn't offered and wonderful and sweet dogs like Buck are returned within a day. Which means another transition. And more stress. It's the last thing we want for these wonderful dogs, who have already been through so much.
But don't worry about Buck...he's happy as a clam to be back in a loving foster home. While he was initially confused because he did nothing wrong, he knows he'd rather be with a family who just knows it's right and will offer the gift of time! In return? He will give a lifetime of love!
Are you committed to offering a rescue love, patience and time? "
All of the dogs pictured are waiting for a home. A home where someone will be patient with them for months and maybe years. A home where they are not expected to be the life of the party, and socialize with dogs at the dog park and guest that come to the home. A home where there are not children that run, and make loud noises. Maybe a home where a dog can be a dog. This is what rescue really is.
