ladee
VIP Member
Ya @CitySlicker, don't leave us hanging. Waiting on the next Chapter of Hank the Rescue Dog !
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Been Found By A Rescue Dog
- Post starter City Slicker
- Start date
- Status
(((((((((( @City Slicker :inlove: & Hank ))))))))
- Post starter
- #111
City Slicker
Platinum Member
Hey Folks,
Our road trip was incredible.
We left the city early Friday night to avoid the traffic. We were headed 400 kms north to see a friend I haven't seen in about 3 years. She owns land and has animals on the property and does rehab with injured horses. I had Monday off work so I knew we could take our time and if there were any problems I wouldn't have to worry about time. I also found all the emergency vet clinics along the route before we left in case.
Hank curled up in his spot in the back of the car and relaxed. But then as we picked up speed on the highway, he adjusted his body so that his head was resting beside me on the centre console. I could just reach over and stroke his nose from time to time.
We stopped many places and Hank was like a world traveller - he showed no signs of stress, in fact each time he got out of the car he bounded out and went immediately to sniffing and exploring. A few of the rest stops were really busy and I was worried about how loud they were but each stop had green space where we could get time away from all the bustling.
We were walking around a truck area and one of the truckers had his dog tied to his truck as they took a break. His dog did play bows and I lead Hank over to let him check out whether he wanted to engage with the man's dog. He did. It wasn't too much but they sniffed and spent a few minutes sitting together.
Hank got so many compliments (he still has some fur missing and I think people could see he had been through some tough times). I think I was most worried about losing him - or him somehow getting off the leash. But as I saw him at the stops, I began to relax seeing that he didn't run off or anything. He stayed so close to me that it relaxed me quite a bit.
We got there in good time and I walked Hank three times that day - just wandering around her property the rest of the evening. It was was quiet and peaceful and I could see that Hank was relaxed. He met my friend's horses at a distance and while he was reserved he wasn't fearful at all.
My friend has a rehab pool for horses and Saturday we thought maybe Hank would take to the water for his back end as he has some weakness in his hips possibly from lying on cement or from injury. Water is used for horses that are injured and it can aid in their healing. My friend has also rehabbed dogs with hip problems in the 'pool' so she suggested we see how Hank felt about it.
I persuaded Hank to come into the room but when he saw the pool he began to cower and and started to run to get out of the room. He ran into the tac room and I went in after him. He was sitting looking into the corner not moving and not looking at me. I called his name softly but he didn't turn around. I approached slowly and sat down and waited. My friend brought some treats in and she sat with me while we waited a few more minutes.
After about 5 minutes waiting with him and he still had not turned around to see me, I approached him matter of fact and clipped his leash to his collar and walked him back out of the room. As soon as he was on the leash, he seemed much more relaxed and was happy to leave - or happy that I was taking him out of the room. I am hoping I didn't inadvertently reinforce some avoidant behaviour in Hank but when he had that extreme fear reaction to the pool, I gave him a bit of time to find his own confidence. My purpose in approaching him was that I didn't want him to experience too much fear nor did I want him to think I couldn't get him out of a bad situation.
I didn't treat him until we had left the room and I asked him to sit and give me a paw. He did it willingly and he was back to his self again.
He stayed close to me the entire weekend until Sunday when I let him off the leash in the fenced in horse area. My friend brought her dog in and for the first time I saw Hank actually play. He bowed, he deeked, he ran, he didn't watch for where I was, but he did run right at my knees and almost bowled me over once or twice.
Afterwards, both dogs curled up in the living room. My friend had a few of her friends over and they played guitar and sang. The two dogs slept about 6 inches from each for the rest of the night.
We left tired and happy and Hank slept the entire way home. By the time we got home Hank was ready for another walk and we headed to one of the parks closeby. As we were turning the corner, a man was there suddenly and I didn't hear him coming. He approached us quite quickly and I could see there was something about him that didn't sit well. Hank immediately crouched down, almost a cower but instead of peeing, he began growling at the man.
That's exactly what I would have done in the same circumstances had I been a dog - and it was the first time I saw even hint of protectiveness in Hank. I said 'good boy' and then 'on by' very quietly and we continued with our walk. I did notice Hank turn around to look to see where the man was and he let it go after a few times turning around and seeing the man wasn't there.
I so love this boy and I have no idea what awesome right I did in this world to have him in my life.
By the way, the dude who called me for a date and I turned down called me to tell me he is dog-sitting his sister's dog and suggested we get together with both dogs for a park date this week. I turned him down again. There's time if ever I am into dating but right now I just feel I have found something more important and rewarding in my life.
All through the love of a dog.
Our road trip was incredible.
We left the city early Friday night to avoid the traffic. We were headed 400 kms north to see a friend I haven't seen in about 3 years. She owns land and has animals on the property and does rehab with injured horses. I had Monday off work so I knew we could take our time and if there were any problems I wouldn't have to worry about time. I also found all the emergency vet clinics along the route before we left in case.
Hank curled up in his spot in the back of the car and relaxed. But then as we picked up speed on the highway, he adjusted his body so that his head was resting beside me on the centre console. I could just reach over and stroke his nose from time to time.
We stopped many places and Hank was like a world traveller - he showed no signs of stress, in fact each time he got out of the car he bounded out and went immediately to sniffing and exploring. A few of the rest stops were really busy and I was worried about how loud they were but each stop had green space where we could get time away from all the bustling.
We were walking around a truck area and one of the truckers had his dog tied to his truck as they took a break. His dog did play bows and I lead Hank over to let him check out whether he wanted to engage with the man's dog. He did. It wasn't too much but they sniffed and spent a few minutes sitting together.
Hank got so many compliments (he still has some fur missing and I think people could see he had been through some tough times). I think I was most worried about losing him - or him somehow getting off the leash. But as I saw him at the stops, I began to relax seeing that he didn't run off or anything. He stayed so close to me that it relaxed me quite a bit.
We got there in good time and I walked Hank three times that day - just wandering around her property the rest of the evening. It was was quiet and peaceful and I could see that Hank was relaxed. He met my friend's horses at a distance and while he was reserved he wasn't fearful at all.
My friend has a rehab pool for horses and Saturday we thought maybe Hank would take to the water for his back end as he has some weakness in his hips possibly from lying on cement or from injury. Water is used for horses that are injured and it can aid in their healing. My friend has also rehabbed dogs with hip problems in the 'pool' so she suggested we see how Hank felt about it.
I persuaded Hank to come into the room but when he saw the pool he began to cower and and started to run to get out of the room. He ran into the tac room and I went in after him. He was sitting looking into the corner not moving and not looking at me. I called his name softly but he didn't turn around. I approached slowly and sat down and waited. My friend brought some treats in and she sat with me while we waited a few more minutes.
After about 5 minutes waiting with him and he still had not turned around to see me, I approached him matter of fact and clipped his leash to his collar and walked him back out of the room. As soon as he was on the leash, he seemed much more relaxed and was happy to leave - or happy that I was taking him out of the room. I am hoping I didn't inadvertently reinforce some avoidant behaviour in Hank but when he had that extreme fear reaction to the pool, I gave him a bit of time to find his own confidence. My purpose in approaching him was that I didn't want him to experience too much fear nor did I want him to think I couldn't get him out of a bad situation.
I didn't treat him until we had left the room and I asked him to sit and give me a paw. He did it willingly and he was back to his self again.
He stayed close to me the entire weekend until Sunday when I let him off the leash in the fenced in horse area. My friend brought her dog in and for the first time I saw Hank actually play. He bowed, he deeked, he ran, he didn't watch for where I was, but he did run right at my knees and almost bowled me over once or twice.
Afterwards, both dogs curled up in the living room. My friend had a few of her friends over and they played guitar and sang. The two dogs slept about 6 inches from each for the rest of the night.
We left tired and happy and Hank slept the entire way home. By the time we got home Hank was ready for another walk and we headed to one of the parks closeby. As we were turning the corner, a man was there suddenly and I didn't hear him coming. He approached us quite quickly and I could see there was something about him that didn't sit well. Hank immediately crouched down, almost a cower but instead of peeing, he began growling at the man.
That's exactly what I would have done in the same circumstances had I been a dog - and it was the first time I saw even hint of protectiveness in Hank. I said 'good boy' and then 'on by' very quietly and we continued with our walk. I did notice Hank turn around to look to see where the man was and he let it go after a few times turning around and seeing the man wasn't there.
I so love this boy and I have no idea what awesome right I did in this world to have him in my life.
By the way, the dude who called me for a date and I turned down called me to tell me he is dog-sitting his sister's dog and suggested we get together with both dogs for a park date this week. I turned him down again. There's time if ever I am into dating but right now I just feel I have found something more important and rewarding in my life.
All through the love of a dog.
Last edited:
ladee
VIP Member
Sooo Happy to hear how well Hank is doing.. his first road trip and he was a champion... So he doesn't like the pool.. no big deal !!! He sounds like the love of your life.. and doing so well... I am proud of myself for not nagging you for updates..... !!! Just feel Hank, I just feel him... and it felt 'contented'... so I didn't nag... Glad you had a great time and another first for the both of you.... sending hugs to you both.
- Post starter
- #113
City Slicker
Platinum Member
Hi @ladee, no worries at all if you ever want to nag - I won't take it as nagging at all. I am happy to share and am so pleased you feel Hank and it felt contented. That's been so much of how it's felt. So if you ever need to ask, ask away!!!
D
Deleted member 12723
Thank you for sharing about your adventures with Hank. You are so awesome for Hank.
ladee
VIP Member
Thank you @CitySlicker.... but I knew he was ok... just being selfish wanting to hear good news and success... What a gift of love for both of you..... isn't life awesome sometimes... the beautiful loving surprises we receive...Just so happy for both of you. He has an awesome mom !!:hug:
ShodokanJenn
Platinum Member
I absolutely adore the way you talk about Hank. I love when animals get what they deserve - love, stability, safety, healthy boundaries. You're giving Hank all those things and in turn he is doing the beautiful heal of your heart. I volunteer for a cat rescue. My job is to take any kittens who are not yet eating solid food and don't have a mama to care for them and teach them how to behave. When they go to their forever homes, it is such a mixture of joy and sorrow. Joy for the future of a beautiful soul, and sorrow for the absence of that beautiful in my life.
Thank you for loving Hank, and for journey with us.
Thank you for loving Hank, and for journey with us.
Just caught up on your updates! Thank you for continuing to post them! I get ridiculously excited when I see you've posted here.
Good job, Hank!
D
Deleted member 33052
I have made that mistake four times. I had to quit fostering... :(
Last edited by a moderator:
- Post starter
- #119
City Slicker
Platinum Member
Hey Folks,
The past few weeks have brought Hank even more out of his shell as we have continued to encounter new adventures in life.
After the road trip I noticed how much more relaxed he seemed - maybe it's me that was more relaxed but I could see a change in his confidence immediately when we got home and went out walking. Even though the trip was only a weekend, Hank seemed like he found... more of himself... by the time we got back.
For example the night we got back, I took Hank out for a walk through an area he has walked many times before. There is a grate on the ground. Whenever we go close to it in the past, Hank would lay his ears back and balk and then sidestep the grate. It's a tightly 'woven' grate and his paws wouldn't slip through but it has bothered him. But this night, Hank walked right over it as though it didn't bother him at all.
As we approached the park, a dog came over to see him and the dog was off leash. Hank pulled back a bit on the leash and then as I said, 'on by' quietly to him, he pulled up his ears and pranced by the dog. This would not have happened prior to the road trip where he actually played with my friend's dog. It might be because now he has had experience with other dogs or maybe he trusts more that nothing bad will happen to him??? I didn't even have to put my body between him and the other dog because he just acknowledged the other dog and then with his tail and ears in the air, just went about his business.
We walked a bit further before I had to stop and hug him and tell him what a good boy he was. And then I blubbered and cried while the other dogs' owner walked towards me with an alarmed look on her face. I managed to blurt out 'I am just so proud of this guy'. Then she smiled and I continued to cry lol.
Next weekend we have a work gathering where people are bringing their children. My colleagues have asked me to bring Hank and I think I will. I have been careful to not overwhelm him too much or put him in stressful situations but I would get the sense if it's too much for him and we could leave. I realize I am also learning and would not want to overload my abilities to keep him safe if anything happened. There will be men there and I know these men, they are decent and kind and I think it would be nice to have Hank be able to have some of this male energy in his life - male energy that's good and loving and won't hurt him.
He sleeps in my room now all the time on his own mat and he's not tried to get up into the bed. He seems to respect his space and as a result he respects mine. He doesn't attempt to get on the couch and when I cuddle him I still make sure he's not in his 'kennel' area when I do because I want him to know that this is his space for safety. He has no object guarding with me and he lets me put food close to his face without grabbing or biting.
He seems to be very sensitive to 'alpha' for example, when I eat and I happen to look at him, if he's looking at me in that moment, he will look away immediately so as not to meet my gaze. I am thinking this is so that he doesn't appear to 'challenge' me about my food. He looks at me a lot now and maintains soft, soul eyes at me so this behaviour is different when he shifts his gaze from me only when I am eating. I don't know if it has to do with previous abuse and maybe some issues about food but it makes sense that a dog would not meet your gaze when you are eating because of not wanting to appear 'challenging'. I don't know if I am reading more into this behaviour but it's something interesting I noticed.
His fur is almost all grown now and he looks even more handsome if that's possible.
I will let you all know how he does next week at his 'open house'.
Thank you for reading and for your support of my adventures with Hank. I tell him all about how I came here to the site and how there are people here just like him that have struggled and dealt with all kinds of terrible things. I tell him one reason he's in my life now is because I was able to get help from a group of caring strangers when I needed it and it made me stronger and also made my 'fur' and my 'ears' stand up more confidently.
The past few weeks have brought Hank even more out of his shell as we have continued to encounter new adventures in life.
After the road trip I noticed how much more relaxed he seemed - maybe it's me that was more relaxed but I could see a change in his confidence immediately when we got home and went out walking. Even though the trip was only a weekend, Hank seemed like he found... more of himself... by the time we got back.
For example the night we got back, I took Hank out for a walk through an area he has walked many times before. There is a grate on the ground. Whenever we go close to it in the past, Hank would lay his ears back and balk and then sidestep the grate. It's a tightly 'woven' grate and his paws wouldn't slip through but it has bothered him. But this night, Hank walked right over it as though it didn't bother him at all.
As we approached the park, a dog came over to see him and the dog was off leash. Hank pulled back a bit on the leash and then as I said, 'on by' quietly to him, he pulled up his ears and pranced by the dog. This would not have happened prior to the road trip where he actually played with my friend's dog. It might be because now he has had experience with other dogs or maybe he trusts more that nothing bad will happen to him??? I didn't even have to put my body between him and the other dog because he just acknowledged the other dog and then with his tail and ears in the air, just went about his business.
We walked a bit further before I had to stop and hug him and tell him what a good boy he was. And then I blubbered and cried while the other dogs' owner walked towards me with an alarmed look on her face. I managed to blurt out 'I am just so proud of this guy'. Then she smiled and I continued to cry lol.
Next weekend we have a work gathering where people are bringing their children. My colleagues have asked me to bring Hank and I think I will. I have been careful to not overwhelm him too much or put him in stressful situations but I would get the sense if it's too much for him and we could leave. I realize I am also learning and would not want to overload my abilities to keep him safe if anything happened. There will be men there and I know these men, they are decent and kind and I think it would be nice to have Hank be able to have some of this male energy in his life - male energy that's good and loving and won't hurt him.
He sleeps in my room now all the time on his own mat and he's not tried to get up into the bed. He seems to respect his space and as a result he respects mine. He doesn't attempt to get on the couch and when I cuddle him I still make sure he's not in his 'kennel' area when I do because I want him to know that this is his space for safety. He has no object guarding with me and he lets me put food close to his face without grabbing or biting.
He seems to be very sensitive to 'alpha' for example, when I eat and I happen to look at him, if he's looking at me in that moment, he will look away immediately so as not to meet my gaze. I am thinking this is so that he doesn't appear to 'challenge' me about my food. He looks at me a lot now and maintains soft, soul eyes at me so this behaviour is different when he shifts his gaze from me only when I am eating. I don't know if it has to do with previous abuse and maybe some issues about food but it makes sense that a dog would not meet your gaze when you are eating because of not wanting to appear 'challenging'. I don't know if I am reading more into this behaviour but it's something interesting I noticed.
His fur is almost all grown now and he looks even more handsome if that's possible.
I will let you all know how he does next week at his 'open house'.
Thank you for reading and for your support of my adventures with Hank. I tell him all about how I came here to the site and how there are people here just like him that have struggled and dealt with all kinds of terrible things. I tell him one reason he's in my life now is because I was able to get help from a group of caring strangers when I needed it and it made me stronger and also made my 'fur' and my 'ears' stand up more confidently.
D
Deleted member 33052
City Slicker, I think you helped hank find himself! That is so beautiful! Would you post a photo him?
Your post made me cry - happy tears, though.
Your post made me cry - happy tears, though.
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