Hank was an adult Rott around 6 - 8 years old when we first met him. He had already been bounced, like a hot potato, from home to home and shelter to shelter. We knew of at least 6 different bounces before we agreed to take him. He was then currently living with another rescue, inside with too many other dogs, energetic children, energetic dogs and someone had to go, so it was Hank.
For the first 6 months Hank was nearly comatose. Zero reaction or interaction with other dogs, he would stand in his run and just literally stare, no playing, no joy, just staring. He wasn't interested in humans either. We always allow a dog to decide when he's ready for socialization and make no attempts to persuade him, this enables them to observe and sniff us out, scanning for any possibly irregularities and creates solid, lasting bonds.
It isn't uncommon for some depressed, stressed, ignored, neglected dogs to take many months before they approach us for friendship.
Hank would greet our daily visits for water/food/cleaning with a snarl...not really noisy but lips curled back, stiff body and a clear indication that he wasn't haven't anything to do with us. After about 6 months he was still doing this and still very uninterested in life going on around him.
We decided to try something different. So one morning we went in with a leash, looped it around his snarling mouth and moved him into another run. He literally looked around, sort of shook his head and started to come out of it. As though a fog had been lifted he was now eager and ready to participate in activities. In fact, he wanted to participate in as many activities as possible to make up for his lost time.
There was playing to do, as long as it didn't involve water!
He was friendly, wiggly, playful, loved interacting with dogs around him and particularly loved car rides. He'd hang that head out the window with a big smile on his face and just enjoy life. It wasn't long before he was very friendly with us, we could stoke him anywhere, anytime and while he was eating. That is one criteria before we consider any dog ready for adoption. We want to be able to do all of the wrong, too familiar, things that many new owners might do.
We'd schedule adoption appointments for Hank, but after about half a dozen or so, it became apparent, he loved everything about getting ready, the brushing, the playing, the CAR RIDE, but he was adamant about NOT going home with anyone else or allowing anyone to even come close to him. Hank would snarl, and if folks were still clueless he's air-snap in their direction to further dissuade them from getting too cozy!
On the ride home after another failed adoption appointment, he would always have an even bigger smile!
Hank could have been adopted to an understanding human who appreciated what Hank had been through and be patient enough to allow him the time he needed before he'd bond with them as he did with us.
Sadly, for us and for Hank that never happened.
We're a Rescue, but we're also a Sanctuary where dogs, like Hank, will spend their entire natural life with us because they are "unadoptable" for the most part. We would absolutely adopt those dogs out to the specific environment and requirements that they needed, IF they came along. Sometimes they do, many times they don't. We do everything that we can, but ultimately it's up to the dog to accept or reject new humans.
And so, Hank decided he preferred being in Sanctuary, with occasional car rides, no more introductions to new people unless they understood that they might not be able to pet him for many, many months or ever.
Did I mention that Hank came to us 9 1/2 years ago?
He was 6-8 years old when he arrived.
Without skipping a meal, without skipping a daily treat, and more importantly, without a single sick day with us he gently passed to the Rainbow Bridge, while still asleep in his Igloo yesterday morning.
Hank left paw prints on our hearts, with his abrupt final departure.
These are some of the very time consuming activities of our rescue/sanctuary.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment