Could there be magic in rescue?
When I rescued the first dogs with trust issues, I was always amazed to witness how with a little love and peaceful environment, they could turn around rather quickly. Of course at first, I didn’t know exactly what the best approach was, but with time, I think I came up with the right recipe: an iron fist in a velvet glove. Don’t feel sorry for their past, but give them all the love and right guidance to build their confidence. No special treatment, they had to learn like any other, behave, exercise, respect their pack, all the while taking their disabilities into account and adjusting for each individual. Even Maggie, who had been severely abused, cringing when a hand was approaching and peeing on herself, transformed after a short few weeks, pushing our hand for pets with her big truffle, putting her slobbery hanging tongue on us for a nap, barking for food and playing with toys, wiggling her big butt for our entertainement. It was only when Cookie arrived that I realized the trauma some dogs can drag all their lives, leaving them with special needs even if they ultimately can overcome some of their fears and come out of their shell in their safe bubble. I knew the road to recovery would be much more complicated, if any serious improvement would even be conceivable. After all, a pet behaviorist said he would never be a normal dog and advised to put him down for his own sake…
Cookie at first, terrified of everything.
But especially humans, ready to bite to keep them at bay.
Cookie was rescued from a puppy mill from Eastern Europe. Nobody could touch him, he would growl and bite anyone approaching. The organization who had him was desperate, he spent his days in an enclosed bedroom, hiding under the bed. That pet behaviorist they had hired had even prescribed sedative pills so that he would relax a bit, until they would decide of his fate. Luckily, we were in touch and since we were a safe and loving haven for all the special ones, they asked if we would be willing to give him a chance. Of course, I did not hesitate one second and this is how I met my heart dog.
The minute Cookie arrived home, my heart melted. Not just because he was darn cute, but because he was indeed petrified and I knew deep down that we were made for each other. Kismet? I think so. The lady who brought him to me (who had fostered him so far and was actually the president of the organization) was flabbergasted when she saw that he sniffed my hand, did not try to bite at all and even let me handle him after a few minutes! She said, a little irritated, that he didn’t like her… The following days, though he was very wary, he let me take care of him (my little shticks worked wonders!), and every little step he made built his confidence. It indeed took much more time than others, and even if still today, he is anxious of every new situation and freaks out if I’m not there to reassure him, he has come a very long way. He can stroll in quiet streets, enjoy pets and cuddles (alright, only from me, but that’s huge), is very obedient, plays and has fun like any other dog. Even if he requires me to be extra cautious so that he remains collected, he has become close to a normal dog. At least, according to my criteria, that may be, I confess, a little biaised. I acknowledge the progress he’s made so far, and he does come from quite far. He is indeed a little selective with people, but hey, there are balanced dogs who never went through what he went through that don’t like many people either! And it’s not that he doesn’t like people, he is just scared of what they might do to him, even if he hasn’t had any bad interaction for years now. That’s a trauma we have to take into account, it’s part of him. Even if he won’t let me husband hold him for instance, he will still lie next to him in bed and occasionally lick his hand, especially if food is involved. His gluttony gets the upper hand over his fears!
Bonding with only one person, me :).
Becoming a happy pup, very playful in his bubble.
Who will only smile for me!
So really, why did he choose me as the only human he trusts right from the get-go and blossomed with my help? Is it because of my irresistible charm? My magical aura? My uncanny sensibility? My amazing wit? My, ok I’ll stop there, because even if I can go on fantasizing, the fact of the matter is I don’t really know for sure, but it certainly makes me feel pretty special. Out of all the others who crossed his path since his rescue, I was the only one able to touch him and with time, get all of his trust. I think that just like us, dogs feel people and have a fondness for the ones that fit their needs and personalities. Especially the sensitive ones I’ll say, who are a little more hard to get. One funny detail though, his astrological sign is Cancer, just like me! Emotional, sensitive of their environment and people’s energies, opening up when they feel at ease, closing off when they don’t (hiding in their shell), needing time to indeed trust, let their guard down and show their true selves. Who could better relate to his reactions really?! I guess my approach suited him because we had the same sensitivity. I was not scared of what he might do to me to keep me away, knowing it was just an armor. With gentleness, I showed him that interacting with a human could be positive, even fun, that each progress he made gave him confidence and rewarded him with love and other good things, providing a safe and loving cocoon. I never used any calming drug advised by the behaviorsit, followed my gut and it worked.
So yeah, I do believe there can be magic in rescue, which is comforting since there are so many disenchanting moments. Cookie turned around when his chances of doing so were pretty slim, it almost cost his life, until the universe used its secret strategy and made him land with me. Still today, after more than 7 years together, he’s a happy dog with lots of love for his mommy, a truly genuine and unique bond. And this is priceless.
My precious little boy.
Always looking for comfort.