Mom to Lil Buddy
10-24-2007, 12:53 PM
I often think of Max as a rescue, after all he was given away! I know very little about his background. Picked up as a stray at about four yrs, adopted from the pound by one woman, kept for three years, given to her daughterfor a year, returned to the woman who adopted him, and then given to me at about 8 yrs..
When he first arrive, he would never come into your space sitting just out of arm's reach, unless he wanted something. Then he would put his paws on my leg and stare into my eyes. How is that for a heart wrencher when you don't know what he wants?
He knew a few words, "treat", "ride", and "walk". His response to all would be to run around and around in a tight circle. He also knew "potty" with the same response if he had to go--occasionally slinking away if he didn't. Generally though he wanted outside all the time. He loved being tied out, (would stay for hours and hours) and frequently I would have to just pick him up to make him come in. When he was ready to come in he would give only one very soft, timid bark. Gradually, as he got used to being here, and especially if I didn't come immediately to let him in he would give several soft consecutive barks. Otherwise he never barked, whined or made any noise at any thing else except cats, and other dogs.
Initially, he would play with stuffed toys, but usually just by himself, infrequently fetching. It didn't take long however, for him to discover that fetch was a wonderful interactive game. Now he brings a toy every morning for a game.
Initially, he responded by a quick head turn, and an almost bite whenever he thought he was going to be hurt. He snapped at a visitor who made a quick hand wave, and made contact with Granddaughter's hand when she move quickly downward toward his head to pet him. I could only assume he had been struck-and attempted to bite in self defense. He never gets onto my furniture or my bed, although he did both before going to stay with former owners daughter.
He had some separation issues when he first arrived but soon learned to go to my mother when I was gone. And for a while he even jumped into her chair waiting for her to get up. As he became more comfortable in his new home, he stopped this.
Only four months after coming to live with me I learned Max has renal disease. After, living with a diabetic dog for 5 years it seemed like such a cruel blow. The vet tech gave me great consolation, "Perhaps Max came to you because of the care you could give him for the rest of his life." She knew this dog would never be "given away" again.
When he first arrive, he would never come into your space sitting just out of arm's reach, unless he wanted something. Then he would put his paws on my leg and stare into my eyes. How is that for a heart wrencher when you don't know what he wants?
He knew a few words, "treat", "ride", and "walk". His response to all would be to run around and around in a tight circle. He also knew "potty" with the same response if he had to go--occasionally slinking away if he didn't. Generally though he wanted outside all the time. He loved being tied out, (would stay for hours and hours) and frequently I would have to just pick him up to make him come in. When he was ready to come in he would give only one very soft, timid bark. Gradually, as he got used to being here, and especially if I didn't come immediately to let him in he would give several soft consecutive barks. Otherwise he never barked, whined or made any noise at any thing else except cats, and other dogs.
Initially, he would play with stuffed toys, but usually just by himself, infrequently fetching. It didn't take long however, for him to discover that fetch was a wonderful interactive game. Now he brings a toy every morning for a game.
Initially, he responded by a quick head turn, and an almost bite whenever he thought he was going to be hurt. He snapped at a visitor who made a quick hand wave, and made contact with Granddaughter's hand when she move quickly downward toward his head to pet him. I could only assume he had been struck-and attempted to bite in self defense. He never gets onto my furniture or my bed, although he did both before going to stay with former owners daughter.
He had some separation issues when he first arrived but soon learned to go to my mother when I was gone. And for a while he even jumped into her chair waiting for her to get up. As he became more comfortable in his new home, he stopped this.
Only four months after coming to live with me I learned Max has renal disease. After, living with a diabetic dog for 5 years it seemed like such a cruel blow. The vet tech gave me great consolation, "Perhaps Max came to you because of the care you could give him for the rest of his life." She knew this dog would never be "given away" again.