Been Found By A Rescue Dog

[City Slicker]

FYI the cat in my profile pick is Poof. She's a rescue and is my inspiration. Almost 12 years old now!

@Poofycat - Poof is beautiful!

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Oh he's adorable @City Slicker

 

[KwanYingirl]

@City Slicker he looks just like my Flute. Except Flute had one brown eye and one blue eye. I wouldn't worry about having an abuse history and not being a good mom to Hank. He is going to take time and that may overwhelm you at times. My advice is to lay beside him and just be there in his pack. He'll come around.

I got my son a book titled "Until Tuesday" written by a army captain who has TBI and PTSD. His service dog Tuesday was traumatized by being placed in a prison and a troubled boys school. The book is about how they saved each other's lives.

I know the same will be true for you. If you're having a rough day, we can help you ( and Hank will too) I know all so well how amazing it is when they put their head in your hand and just let go of their fear. You rock, City Slicker!!

 

[Ellabella44]

Oh what a pretty boy! And even more so because he is having the courage to try connecting with you and making you his safe person to attatch to!

And who is more worth his effort than someone who knows what it is to not have that safe attachment.

I'd agree with @Poofycat its our superpower!

 

[Deleted member 12723]

He looks like such a sweetheart. I really love you posting about this so very much so please keep updating us ok? I cannot help but think how that kind of love unconditional and care would have helped me when I first moved out of my childhood home.

 

[Anrish]

@City Slicker : Thank you for the wonderful picture. Hank looks gorgeous - and like he's relaxed in this moment.

When I read your words and how you take your time with him and how he and you get closer to each other - it's like hot caramell - all warm and sweet and making me smile. :happy::happy::happy: ...just from his expression on the picture I can tell: You already are and will be a wonderful couple. :hug::hug:

You both just need time - but he will learn that you're a good, loving and caring person - that you're his pack where he belongs to and where he is meant to be...;)

 

[Kailani]

Yeah!!!!!!!

 

[City Slicker]

PS, of course you won't mess it up.

Thank you so much @Junebug - I really appreciate your words and support.

Thank you @Ayesha - he is really adorable - he seems to be growing more adorable ever day!

You rock, City Slicker!!

Aww thanks @KwanYingirl - I have taken your advice and sometimes will just sit with Hank and share his space for a bit. That's usually when he lets me put my hand under his chin. Your Flute sounds beautiful. Thank you so much for your encouragement. I hear you when you speak of the army captain who feels he was saved by his rescue dog. I feel that way too.

@Ellabella44 The last few days, Hank has come looking for me. At least I think that's what he's doing. I can feel his connection to me and I can see it more now - I can sure feel my connection to him.

@gizmo I know so much what you mean about had we received the love and care we needed and what a difference it would make. I think of that with Hank - and while I sure didn't get much of that growing up I am so grateful for the opportunity through Hank to see that I had it inside and that I am able to give this to another living soul. I spend a good deal of time almost in tears with this boy because every time he shows his connection with me it touches my soul so much that I almost feel I am looking into the sun bare-eyed, profound and powerful.

it's like hot caramell - all warm and sweet and making me smile.

@Anrish, you description was beautiful and made me really smile too. In the picture he is almost resting his head on my leg - he was so relaxed but I knew he was making a step to trust me - and then his big head was there relaxing into my leg.

@Kailani!! Uh huh!!!

I decided to go and do a workout in the back room and since Hank was sleeping I thought I would let him sleep. He needs a lot of sleep and I didn't want to disturb him - plus I was thinking it would be good to let him have time on his own and now incorporate more of the normal routine things into his day. A few minutes into the routine I heard tentative steps on the hardwood but I didn't see him coming so I went to see what was up.

Hank was attempting to get to me but I hadn't laid any rugs down for him so he was stepping gingerly on the floor trying to get to the back room. I quietly got some rugs and laid them down and gently encouraged him to walk on his own on the uncovered areas and made a few steps back so he could navigate some on his own. Mostly I walked beside him but this time I let him take his own time to help him grow his confidence that he could handle these steps on his own.

He did it!

And when he came past one spot he has trouble with (it has a grate in the floor which upsets him) he almost flew to me and I could swear he was smiling. We had a really great moment after that and he let me cuddle his entire head - then he settled on his rug and fell asleep.

He's doing ok with me being out of the house when my neighbour sits with him. He doesn't cry or get upset although she says he does watch the windows while I am gone. That will be the next step when I go back to work - I can plan my day to get home to him throughout the day and my neighbour who walks dogs will come in a few times through the day as well.

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and support.

 

[Tinyflame]

Aw @cityslicker :inlove: :inlove: :) .

Has he had his nails done yet? (Perfect solution with the rugs.)

:hug: :hug: :hug:

 

[Deleted member 19804]

Your story made me so happy, @City Slicker ! You are such a kind person to take in a vulnerable dog like that. It does definitely say something about you as a person, that a dog who has known so much abuse chose you. In spite of all he's been through, he feels safe with you. I think that is beautiful.

 

[City Slicker]

Hey @Junebug - thank you for the suggestion. He might be 'favouring' his paws now that you mention his nails.

The police found Hank tied outside without food, water or shelter - his paws and his ears were frostbitten - thankfully the weather here was not nearly as cold as it usually has been in previous years as the police said he would have frozen to death. (there are pending charges against the people that did this to him)

His nails were clipped under anaesthetic when the rescue had him neutered - but his nails were also broken and some right to the quick. He's on antibiotics right now for other injuries and broken teeth that became infected.

When he walks to me he doesn't limp but it might be time for his nails again? He's not outside as much yet to wear them down naturally - he's sensitive to his paws being touched I notice so instead of touching them I have been able to see them while sitting on the floor with him and they seem an ok length -

How often do they generally need to be done or does it vary by breed and activity? I suspect when he's healthy and feeling more himself and we are out hiking etc they will wear naturally??

 

[City Slicker]

Thank you @Snowwhite for your really kind words. It's still kind of overwhelming to see how much he is trusting me. I said to him the other day, 'I am not going to blow this...we are in this together and you will not be alone and unloved ever again...'

And then I called my sister and asked her if she would take Hank if anything happened to me. She said absolutely. And then I made a new will. I have life insurance through work and if anything happened to me I am leaving the money to my sister for Hank's care.

I felt much better organizing that - much more at ease in my mind that Hank will never be unloved and alone ever again. Now I can relax (kind of ... lol) ; )