Slow progress

Tink · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject: Slow progress

I told you all I'd gotten a new chocolate lab lady and how scared she is. Well now that I've had her a while I've learned just how badly abused she was and have developed a plan to get her past it.

Hickory wasn't only neglected and malnourished. She's been de-barked and obviously beaten. The difference in her in just this short time of having decent amounts of good food is encouraging. She's gained weight and has bonded well with Bella and Chip, so there's a lot of play going on between them.

The hard part is getting her to trust humans. I took her collar off and turned her loose in a 32' x32' run and figured I'd just wait for her to decide to come to me... so until today she's avoided human contact all together. Today I went out with treats as usual and sat on the ground petting and handing out treats to Chip and Bella. I could see Hickory wanted to approach me, but she would get within a couple of feet and panic, spinning away and pacing. Finally she went into the dog house, so I stood near the opening handing out treats to the other 2 and occasionally tossed one inside to her.

Finally I stuck my hand inside the dog house and held a treat for her to see and she inched forward and gently took it from my hand. After a couple like this, she stuck her head out of the dog house and let me scratch her neck and ears. She even licked my fingers a bit. I was SO excited! Her tail was wagging and she was finally coming to me.

I know it's going to take a lot more time to get her to trust me, but I just had to share my excitement.
She still has some filling out to do, but this is how she looked today.

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Hickory, Jessie, Ava, Hana, Misty and Chip (happy master of his Harem)

hmz819 · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:03 pm Post subject:

That is great news! She is so lucky you found her!!! I'm sure she will be running to you in no time!
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annabelles mom · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject:

OMG I'm sitting here crying, how can anyone debark a dog and abuse ooooooooooo dont get me started, they shoud be drawn and quartered Evil or Very Mad

!

I'm so glad Hickory has someone to love her and give her such a good home, bless you Tink for taking her in
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blueteal · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh Tink
What a wonderful story. She is so lucky to have found you!!!
I agree with Mary, I have no use for people who abuse animals
I would string them up and not think anything about it.
I have a handful of cats with me who were abused and it is just
sickening that somebody can do this to such trusting kind creatures.
Thank God that most animals through love and kindness can be brought
back and learn to trust again...............
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Megan · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject:

Hi Tink:
I didn't remember that she had had a rough past.
You will get her to come around for sure!
I'm almost afraid to ask: What in the world is debarking???
Maybe I don't want to know.
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Megan

Tink · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject:

Megan for the sake of not making you physically ill, I won't go into details; but it's intentionally destroying the vocal chords so the dogs bark is much quieter. In her case, it sounds like she's got laryngitis. She still makes a noise, but it's sure isn't a typical lab bark. Since she'd not had vet care, not even so much as a rabies vaccine that anyone knows of, I doubt it was done by a vet.
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www.tinkerdoodle.net
Hickory, Jessie, Ava, Hana, Misty and Chip (happy master of his Harem)

gene · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:02 am Post subject:

Tink, in a too often horrible world, you are a ray of sunshine and hope. Bless you for all your caring and for taking in such a beautiful little soul!! Sorry to be so sappy, but you got me all teary again....darn you!!

Hickory looks wonderful and with your help is going to have a great life now!!
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annieG · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:20 am Post subject:

If only every abused dog could have a "Tink" rescue them. Thank you!
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Cinsmom · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:24 am Post subject:

Hickory is looking pretty good, Tink. I'm sure with your handing out treats and getting close to you, she'll know she can trust you. It will take more time as you know, but she'll come around.

MaxandMe · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:03 am Post subject:

Its sad when a dog is abused and the thought of debarking is horrible!

TINK keep up the great work so Hickory once again learn that there is trust and love available without any abuse.
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sdrudge · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

My heart fell. I am sad she was treated so badly but I am very glad you found her. She will come around. She is beautiful.
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bob · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject:

You go Tink!!

Labracadabra · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject:

She is so lucky to have you!
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Calimom · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject:

Oh Tink, Hickory's story made me cry. I thank God you have found her and she will have such a loving, understanding forever home. You are an angel!
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Meg and Cali

Tink · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks all, I knew you'd understand my excitement. Laughing

I've discovered Hickory likes onion and garlic potato chips and fig newtons. I've been cleaning out the stuff that got pushed to the back of my pantry so use it as treats for the dogs. LOL They don't care if the chips are a bit stale... they just love the fact that someone is out there feeding them by hand.

I got Hickory to lick the salt off my fingers again tonight, and her tail was thumping against the inside of the dog house when I talked to her. She did come out again after that and was bouncing around like a pup inviting me to play, but kept her distance while she did it. When I spoke to her her tail would wag and she's looking at me more each day rather than hiding her eyes.

She's acting excited now when I come out rather than just worried, so she's trying... even as scared as she obviously is, she's shown no aggression or threat to keep me away. I find that very encouraging, as many dogs will bite out of fear that don't otherwise... but she doesn't seem to even consider it. SO I think the good personality is there... just buried behind the fear. I just have to help her to relax and let that shine through.
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www.tinkerdoodle.net
Hickory, Jessie, Ava, Hana, Misty and Chip (happy master of his Harem)