Pet Lovers

[Catty2]

Well, I just checked the shelter's website again and she has been adopted. I called them to verify.  I hope she found a wonderful home but I am sad for me because I kind of fell in love with her when I saw her.     I have checked many other rescues and there are other dogs I have inquired about.  Will just keep checking.  

[Fressa]

Will this shelter put you on a stand by list just in case this adoption doesn't work out? Some of our shelters offer that option with harder to place dogs. Good Luck!! 

[Catty2]

@Fressa 

I don't think they do that but I have seen dogs show back up for adoption after they've been off the site for awhile.  I check it several times a day.  Although I was sad that she found a home other than mine, I figure there is a dog out there who needs me more than she did.  

[SilleeMee]

Four months ago I rescued a 5yo golden from a very abusive home environment. We are still having trust issues. Whenever the doorbell rings she runs and hides. Whenever someone comes to visit she runs and hides. She cannot focus on ME b/c she's fearful of what she hears outside. 

Feeding and treat time is a work in progress. I keep a pocketful of small treats to give her as encouragement for being a 'good dog'. I cannot make any sudden moves b/c she goes running. She won't go outside by herself. I have to go with her and she is still fearful of the outdoors. Taking walks is out of the question. We are far from that in our journey.

I'm working with a professional dog handler/trainer who has helped me quite a bit. Just small things that I didn't realize were BIG things for the dog. We have a long ways to go.

I'm patient and I have the time to do this. You need patience and time...that's my advice.

[SilleeMee]

One important thing I forgot to say in my previous post above is that there is the real possibility of ever regaining a 'normal' dog. The stark reality may be just what I'm experiencing with the fear in her, with some improvements, going into the future but I'm committed to giving this dog her forever home. It's what I want to do for her and I'm willing and able to do so.

[Wahoogaz]

I saw your post that said Reyna has been adopted by someone else, but still wanted to respond to your original post since you said you were continuing your search.

I have been adopting shelter/rescue dogs for many years and the shelter dogs often act the way this dog acted with you. She'd obviously been through a lot and dogs often will not show their true selves until they're in a secure home situation for several weeks. You can search online for 'The Rule of 3s for Adopted Dogs' and that will show generally how long it takes dogs to decompress from what they've been through to learning to trust and love their new family.

Most of the dogs I've adopted have shown very little personality because in addition to having gone through whatever they've gone through to end up in the shelter ... the shelter environment itself is extremely stressful. I have learned over the years to just trust my instincts.

My favorite dog ever was a Neapolitan Mastiff I adopted from a local shelter. When I went to visit him, the staff member walked him over to me on a leash and he just stood there - he wouldn't even look at me - but his tail wagged the entire visit. He was covered in poop and scabs and wouldn't acknowledge my presence, but I just had a good feeling about him so I adopted him. I don't know if anyone else had visited with him, but I can see how a lot of people would have passed him by because of the condition he was in and his lack of interaction. Thank goodness I trusted my instincts because he was the sweetest most loving dog ever ... loved everybody and everything. He was definitely my heart dog.

The only advice I can give you is trust your instincts when you meet dogs. Good luck in your search.

[SilleeMee]

My 'fearful dog' is somethin' else. She won't eat a meal if I'm not right there next to her while she eats out of her bowl. The second I step away she leaves the food and follows me. She will not take treats from a stranger, only from me and the trainer. 

I've had many dogs in my lifetime but never one like her. She is very different from any dog I've ever had.

[gardenman]

Many, many years ago we had a golden that was insanely fearful. At any strange sound, she'd crawl behind the sofa and hide. We got her as a young puppy and she was that way her whole life. She'd never been abused or mistreated, but she just had a mental health issue of some sort.