I am not Cesar Milan

[nilchance]

Two dogs saved this weekend, bringing our grand total to 17. 17 dogs saved from the gas chamber in South Carolina, delivered to their rescues and new homes by plenty of people who give up their weekends for driving long nights and scrubbing the dog smell out of their upholstery. It's enough to restore a cynic's faith in humanity, and yet never enough.

Saturday was Brandon, a 3 month lab puppy with red mange. He chewed himself up with anxiety while he was in the shelter. Spent most of the drive curled up in a miserable little ball. When we tried to give him treats to distract him, he nursed on a biscuit and then belched. He went to a woman who had several freaking heart attacks in JANUARY and yet keeps her home open to special needs dogs. (And cats. And kids.)

Sunday was this baby, a three-legged pitbull named Maxine. When we got her, her My suspicions are that she was force-bred too many times, but she showed no signs of trauma. She was a Velcro dog. An absolute dollbaby. Smushed against my side the entire time, drowned me with kisses and wagged all over herself. Unfortunately, we were given the false impression that she was dog aggressive, and so when we arrived at our destination (outside a dog park, of all places) she began whining and trying to greet people. I thought she was trying to EAT people. This was not Maxine's fault. She's apparently used as a temperament dog, the measuring stick other dogs are compared to! She's an angel. She just had humans making human errors.

My dog fear, the one I thought I'd gotten over, cropped up. When Maxine began barking and making frustrated "but I wants to meet the peoples!" noises, I had to get out of the car and go hyperventilate. I was not calm assertive; I was not in control. I left T with her. I'm still ashamed of that, though of course T told me I was fine and she understood, but... I'm a bit shaken up. I misread that situation like crazy; I made the mistake of a flaky pet owner who flinches from pitbulls but lets their chihuahua chew on their fingers and growl at their kids. IDK. I'm hesitant to say "yes, let's do transports for this person again!" when they gave us a) false info and b) a pitbull they thought was aggressive, without first exercising her and tiring her out before shoving her in a car for 8 hours. If she WAS aggressive, that was an irresponsible move on their part. Also, I need to go read about 20 more books on dog behavior before I try to pat myself on the back. Otherwise I'll sprain something.

Anyway. Maxine and Brandon are love. If you have some extra cash, please donate to the cost of Maxine's leg operation! Then her owner can make Bionic Woman noises when Maxine hops off the couch.

Comments

[deadlychameleon.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Keep it up! Dogs are forgiving, they don't mind you're still learning how to read them. You're doing a good thing.

[maharetr.livejournal.com]

Aww! Spent most of the drive curled up in a miserable little ball....he nursed on a biscuit and then belched *pets him retrospectively*

I never used to be a cat/dog/pet-even sort of person, and then I moved in with my housemate's dog, and that was It. *goes to skritch him* It sounds like you're doing a beyond-awesome job, both of you. *raises glass and points to icon*

[sin-of-pride.livejournal.com]

You're doing an amazing thing. Don't be discouraged by a set back or two in the road. I hope all those puppies find great homes ♥

[http://users.livejournal.com/taltos_/]

Man, I love doing transports. Many people don't like them, but me, I love them. I volunteer for SEPRA and I'm on a rescue newsletter that comes out of OK for Dalmation rescue and I've moved dogs all over the country and I think it's the best medicine for everyone and every thing. There's a look in the eyes of a rescue dog every time you treat them with kindness that can not be matched.

Now I'm crying. UHG. LOL.

[ixchel55.livejournal.com]

You guys are totally made of awesome.

Is there anyone else who's done transport this person you took the hand-off of Maxine from that you can compare notes with? because yeah, that was some serious miscalculation on their part.

[earthkat.livejournal.com]

"I need to go read about 20 more books..."
Nah you just need to be around loveable pit bulls more. And maybe some barky/snarly ones. Youz got to be in ur body more not in ur head.

Does it make you feel better if I tell you I still want to wet myself when Kainy comes charging at me in a happy run outside? ?Ur human. There is no shame in that.

You guys rock for doing this!

[deadlychameleon.livejournal.com]

Agreed! Just spend some more time around the puppies. They're all different, but it just takes exposure and time to learn to read "dog". It's like being around people in customer service. You learn most are pretty all right, and what to look out for in those that might cause problems, and how to deflect them.

[brynwulf]

Thank you guys SO MUCH!! On behalf of the dog population of the world, I want to add my tiny voice to the awe and admiration you deserve. *smush*

[apetslife.livejournal.com]

BLESS YOU. ♥ x INFINITY!!

[quiet000001.livejournal.com]

Cesar Milan is not necessarily the best authority to go to - the whole dominance/alpha pack leader idea is outdated and based on faulty science in the first place, and a lot of trainers and behaviorists prefer other methods now.

I really like the stuff by Patricia McConnell - The Other End of the Leash is the one I can think of off the top of my head.

[snookscribbles.livejournal.com]

I was also going to recommend McConnell as well - Other End of the Leash is an awesome book. *nodnod*

[darling-lisa.livejournal.com]

Used to work with southern AZ RAG and I know how hard it can be to work with rescue dogs, just wanted to say that I appreciate the time and effort you put into this. ::hugs::

[axis2cluster-b.livejournal.com]

I've got a dog that nervous licks, to the point that she has sores. She gets attention, tons of love, and damn near runs the house. Have you run across any cures in your rescue activities? I want her to be healthy and well, and I'm not sure what to do for her. Her tail looks like it belongs in Resident Evil, and I hate it for her.

[deadlychameleon.livejournal.com]

My parent's dog has this - for him it's his paws, but it's not nervous licks. It's allergies. Multiple vets agree - dogs tend to get allergic, itchy appendages.

http://www.enotalone.com/article/9014.html

[nilchance.livejournal.com]

What the person above said; our dog licked his paws raw after Grandmom died. The vet prescribed Benedryl (one tab at night, but he's 40 lbs and it may vary by size) and steriods, but the Benedryl has helped more. Also, brynwulf suggested Reiki as a calming method.

[sierrawyndsong.livejournal.com]

sounds like you are doing a fantastic job!

we just adopted/rescued a hound mix named Lilly.....
**points to icon for view of Lilly **

She likes taking us for long walks..... :)