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I've been out of the loop at the shelter for a bit with tending to Marley and because of the rain so I wasn't quite sure which dogs I wanted to work with. Sometimes decisions are made just by reviewing the pictures on the shelter's website and making a list of dogs that could use a better picture.
That is how things went on Sunday. I went armed with a list of dogs that needed their personalities to be reflected a little better on their adoption page.
Two of the dogs I worked with really stood out among the others. Both are females and both have been damaged.
Cassadee
I've posted about Cassadee before and talked about how she is a survivor of distemper but it has left its mark on her body and mind. Cassadee wasn't on my list of dogs to visit because her picture on the website was quite cute. She is sitting there with a big smile looking at the camera. Not a glamor shot but precious none the less.
When I arrived a Lead Volunteer was walking her and she was quite stressed. You see, Cassadee is good with people but does not like other dogs at all. I was asked if I'd like to spend time with her and it was obvious she and I could do some good together.
My visit with the dogs usually includes TTouch, Clicker Training and a Photo Shoot. Cassadee remembered the Touch request I taught her last time. When she was agitated seeing another dog I could redirect her by having her touch my hand...we would move away and then do some more body work.
Unfortunately the shelter is a very difficult place for dogs like Cassadee. There are dogs everywhere and her dislike is strong enough that she has a limited amount of time to pull herself together. I do the best I can but sometimes the odds and time are against me. I hope I see Cassadee again but even if I don't I know that I was able to convey to her that she is a special girl. She has learned basic requests from me and I've seen her mobility improve. Cassadee has had some very nice experiences and happy days. I hope and pray she is successful getting her reactivity under control so she can have many more happy days.
Hailey
When I arrived a Lead Volunteer was walking her and she was quite stressed. You see, Cassadee is good with people but does not like other dogs at all. I was asked if I'd like to spend time with her and it was obvious she and I could do some good together.
My visit with the dogs usually includes TTouch, Clicker Training and a Photo Shoot. Cassadee remembered the Touch request I taught her last time. When she was agitated seeing another dog I could redirect her by having her touch my hand...we would move away and then do some more body work.
Unfortunately the shelter is a very difficult place for dogs like Cassadee. There are dogs everywhere and her dislike is strong enough that she has a limited amount of time to pull herself together. I do the best I can but sometimes the odds and time are against me. I hope I see Cassadee again but even if I don't I know that I was able to convey to her that she is a special girl. She has learned basic requests from me and I've seen her mobility improve. Cassadee has had some very nice experiences and happy days. I hope and pray she is successful getting her reactivity under control so she can have many more happy days.
Hailey
What an amazingly sweet dog Hailey is. She is calm, attentive, affectionate and smart...she is also a bit fearful. I discovered her fear when I took out my camera to photograph her. She went from nuzzling my neck and kissing me to trying to get away as fast as she could. My first though was of Iggy and his fear of the camera.
As I did touches on Hailey I could feel tension release from her body. I saw a large hole in her left ear. The hole looked like a tear that had healed up. This happens sometimes. I didn't think a lot of it.
I was captivated with Hailey's loving spirit.
I found out that Hailey has very good reason to be concerned with new things. Turns out this beautiful and sweet girl had been used as a bait dog for training fighting dogs! My blood boiled as I heard her story.
When Hailey came to the shelter she was chewed to pieces. The wonderful staff at Escondido Humane Society took fantastic care of her and the only physical sign is her over sized pierced ear. She is a quiet girl and didn't react to other dogs that were near by. I don't know if she likes them or not but she would be more than justified to be fearful of them.
Sam is another dog that was used as a bait dog for fighting. He had the same lovely disposition as Hailey. Maybe they are so thankful for positive human interaction. I believe Hailey's story will end up far happier than Sam's did.
There is something about a broken dog that draws me in. I've found the damaged ones have such deep and soulful eyes and they want to trust. Our paths cross so I can help teach them to do just that.
Here are a few of the other dogs I worked with on Sunday.
Enjoy:
As I did touches on Hailey I could feel tension release from her body. I saw a large hole in her left ear. The hole looked like a tear that had healed up. This happens sometimes. I didn't think a lot of it.
I was captivated with Hailey's loving spirit.
I found out that Hailey has very good reason to be concerned with new things. Turns out this beautiful and sweet girl had been used as a bait dog for training fighting dogs! My blood boiled as I heard her story.
When Hailey came to the shelter she was chewed to pieces. The wonderful staff at Escondido Humane Society took fantastic care of her and the only physical sign is her over sized pierced ear. She is a quiet girl and didn't react to other dogs that were near by. I don't know if she likes them or not but she would be more than justified to be fearful of them.
Sam is another dog that was used as a bait dog for fighting. He had the same lovely disposition as Hailey. Maybe they are so thankful for positive human interaction. I believe Hailey's story will end up far happier than Sam's did.
There is something about a broken dog that draws me in. I've found the damaged ones have such deep and soulful eyes and they want to trust. Our paths cross so I can help teach them to do just that.
Here are a few of the other dogs I worked with on Sunday.
Enjoy:
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