25/02/2020
The Naughty Dogge
Edweirdo, AKA Leppy. Goodbye and Good Luck
He knew. The last few days with me he started worrying about being left behind. He was first in the van, wanting to race back on our walks.
To transition him over, we went walking with all the dogs, then at the end Leppy went into his new car. As I pulled out of the parking-lot, I saw the look on his face as his eyes followed my van out. He tugs at my heart - I believe it’s because his struggles have been so brutal in his head. I dread these next few days for him, and pray that his bounce back is quick. I believe it will be.
I believe Leppy has taught us all lots. His importers pushed for him to come to Canada, despite being warned he wasn’t ready. He wasn’t, and has suffered immensely.
While he had happy moments during his year and a half in Canada, when I met him he was a tormented soul. His stress levels and panic response was so high he didn’t even know what direction to run.
The stress was so deep in his system that his entire posture changed as the stress left.
Since I’ve had him he’s gone through several physical changes. Once the stress and panic left, his remaining uncertainty caused him to muscle up. Once he felt safe, his body changed to a softer version of fit and trim. Now with the uncertainty again, his new people got handed a ripped muscle machine.
This is a dog that I’d put some extra weight on. He’d benefit from a fat layer.
When he arrived he was eating four plus pounds of raw. Upon leaving, about two and a half pounds. This goes to show how expensive stress is to our systems. It comes at a great cost.
I have found that the Mexicans and other street-type dogs cannot be trained the same as our regular pet dogs. I compare them more to my Border Collies. They detest micro-managing. They require freedom; a chance to explore and get you out of their heads. We need to make them feel good about themselves, and help them navigate through all the spacial-pressures that their new life provides. And if they get really tense or stressed - you cannot push them through it. Nor can you back-off. I try and change their emotion in that moment- and loosen them up, while helping them daily by letting them move as much as they need to.
Many of these dogs end up guarding their homes viciously. If you have a new import, take precautions with guests coming over, for at least the first eight months to a year.
I love the imports, but almost all that I see are requiring medication to live their new life semi-successfully. Try and grasp the importance of that - we must chemically change their brain for them to succeed in our life. I have a big ethical issue with this.
These dogs are not for beginners. Many like Leppy are long-term projects. In the time Leppy took, I could have saved 6-10 regular rescues in the same amount of time. However, I do love them; enjoy their brains and free-spirits, and appreciate that they don’t ‘need’ us but rather choose us, if we are worthy.
I will also caution that breeds that we struggle controlling in North America should not be getting imported up. Dogs from the South tend to be sharper, making them near impossible to fit into our society with ease.
I mostly enjoyed my time with Leppy. My concerns weighed heavy on me, interfering with this, as I worried where he would go next. I can’t express how relieved I am that two great options stepped forward to take him. Thankyou Jay and Michelle, for being willing to dedicate your energy and love into this one broken-soul.
I will miss this charming comedian, though the energy shift in my house was instantly noticed, and appreciated. Pippa is very sensitive, hates conflict, and will avoid it. Leppy loved the competitive nature of my dogs, which amped up Johnny and Kate even more. This energy squelched Pippa.
Sadly for you all, there won’t be a Leppy page. This writing took a lot of energy that his new people need to save for Leppy. I will post occasional photos of his successes. Today is a photo of him loving his new dog bed.
Thankyou all for sharing and loving Leppy with me. It was a tumultuous time, witnessing his turmoil and joy, and almost all of you stuck it out until the bitter end!
Monique Anstee
Author of As a Dog Thinketh, available on Amazon
Victoria, BC
