Loving my Oldies

Such good news that you have pulled your little family through this far. Hopefully the next couple of weeks will see everything slot into place and you can enjoy them. You have done a sterling job and are to be congratulated.

And that is the crux of it. Very sad.

@tdierikxif you believe that you have rocks in your head. I have seen the opposite on more that one occasion and at more vets than one. Not someone telling me third hand .... with my own eyes.

So what you are saying is that because anything can happen leading to tragedy, ho hum, no one needs to bear responsibility? I find your comments quite indefensible.

He DID think. He put the dogs in another person's yard to keep them hidden. He knew he was doing something illegal. He knew he was in the wrong. He should have been given a custodial sentence and refused permission to ever own anotherdog. I'm so angry with these judges and magistrates who give piss-weak sentences for people who have caused shocking harm, including death, and ruined the lives of those still living.

He should be charged at the very least with negligence causing death. He deliberately and knowing broke the law with three dogs he knew were aggressive. I can’t understand how he gets away with a fine.

I've noticed in the past couple of days that she is spending a lot more time downstairs which seems to me to be an avoidance tactic. She is almost always downstairs when I get up in the morning. So I go out on the deck and call her. If I notice she is just pottering around, I don't make a noise, just so she can enjoy herself. Once she realises I am up, she does come upstairs. And she does know her name. A great bonus is that, providing she has access to the outside, she is housetrained. She still runs when I walk towards her which is disappointing (not for me, but I feel for her that she is still scared), but there are definitely small signs of improvement.

I have more dog beds than my cupboards can hold and some are over a decade old. They go in the washing machine on a long cycle and hung on the line. I also have a product from The PetLab called E.N. Zyme Solution Stain & Odour Remover which WORKS . Order on line.

Just one of the girls. Clockwise from top left: Beatrice, Shala, Strawbs, Bunches.

Yes, that’s true. I’m making a point of picking her up more and more. This morning, she took all her meds in little balls of mince from me without backing away. Tomorrow marks 6 weeks . Will definitely take a while.

We have a long way to go. Poor darling was terrified.

Well, two massive breakthroughs today. The first one came when I was getting their breakfasts and, as usual, I gave Strawbs her tablet in a little bit of mince. She usually takes a bit of convincing, but she took it straight away and didn't move as she ate it. I decided to push the boundaries and started giving her scratches around her ears, gradually moved down her body and, throwing caution to the winds, and picked her up. She was terrified of course, but she didn't struggle or try to bite. So thrilling. Second one came just a little while ago. I'd spent ages in the garden and after coming upstairs when into the study and spent a bit on time on the computer. I was desperate for a cup of tea, so eventually turned around to leave the room and there was Strawbs in one of the beds (the others always come into the study with me). How I managed to contain my squeals of delight I don't know, because I didn't want to frighten her. Well, of course, once she knew I'd seen her, she started to shake, but only got out of the bed when I moved and left the room. I was hoping she would stay there so I could get the camera, but she has gone off hiding somewhere. So quite a day in terms of progress. I am over the moon.

That's is what is uppermost in my mind. The pain and terror would be immeasurable.

She is def worth all I can do for her and more . It is heartbreaking though. We are having crazy weather at the moment with hot days and turning really cold at night starting quite early in the evening. Last night, she was shivering so hard, I simply had to put her through the catching process so I could get a coat on her. She didn’t stop shaking for ages while I held her, but she kept turning towards my face and giving me licks. I’m quite sure it was an appeasement gesture which made me so angry at whatever or whoever had caused her to think like that. This afternoon I gave them all some treats. I was holding one out for Strawby and Shala swooped in and took it. Well!! No more backing away after that. She wasn’t going to let that happen again . So most days we see a little inching forward.

(I missed your comments about the floorboards LOL @Boronia. They look better in photographs than they actually are. I have had quotes to have them refreshed, but it means moving out for about three days, storing all the furniture, etc etc and, at the moment, the organisation of that defeats me . ) As for Strawberry, her recovery will be a long hard row to hoe, sadly . Over five weeks now and she still runs, still shakes until you wonder how her body can stand it. BUT, there have certainly been some improvements. She joins the others when I start preparing their meals, I no longer have to barricade the steps to the back garden off as she comes and goes freely and, on a couple of occasions, has come when I called her. Not right up to me, but to the bottom of the steps. Most times I can give her her medications in little balls of food, at other times, she is too afraid and I have to give up - until next time. The only way I can "catch" her is to shut off exits and entrances and try to get her into the kitchen, throw a towel over her and get her that way. I tried leaving a lead on her, but that is just too dangerous as it can get caught on all sorts of things, so we have to go through the awful towel business. The last couple of times I have had to do this, she has stopped and given in to the inevitable, and after than she gets cuddles and pats and lots of crooning. To see the below photographs, you'd think she was just a normal little dog. So sad, but we will just keep going, cuddling, patting and crooning LOL.

I imagine the statement was because sellers get it all the time. Even rescue organisations get it when they might have expended thousands getting the dog well.

It is through all facets of society today. Someone has their identity stolen and are put through hell dealing with the consequences.

I give prospective owners the third degree. As Dogsfevr says: we are dealing with a living animal not a rock. In fact I have been known to pass judgement on people saying that I wouldn't home a pet rock to them. Edited to clarify LOL - not to their faces.

Well, I am sitting here reading these new posts nursing my latest bitten fingers from Strawberry. We know why she does it and because she is a little dog, we can cope. However ……. a Staffy, albeit a puppy now, well I hate to think of the possible and maybe probable damage when the dog is older. Even if we know why, doesn’t mean we have to live with it. Logically I know what the poster should do. In reality it is so damned hard. I euthanised a little dog some years ago because she was elderly (which meant her rehab would be virtually impossible) and totally unpredictable and lived in a state of hyper anxiety ready to pounce. I have photographic evidence of this turning in a flash. Despite knowing in my head it was the right thing to do, my heart still hurts and wonders if I could have done more. I feel very sorry for Belinda, but she has to think of her baby and family.

Good.

I believe this. I think occasionally can be applied to dogs, though, because there are plenty of people who are dangerous nutcases.

Oh, I thought it was this Wednesday just past. Where is the original one? Edited: Okay, I have found several posts about this dog. Not good, not good at all.

I've deleted my post because I hadn't twigged that this lady has been asking for help for quite a while.

I cannot be as gentle as @tdierikx. The dog has bitten your son FOUR TIMES!!! Attacked your cat obviously meaning business. What next, I cannot help but wonder. Visit the vet, definitely. Rehome? Definitely not. I think there is only one outcome here and it will be traumatic, devastating and will stay with you forever. The alternative (which I won't put into words) is infinitely worse. All that said, please understand, that I am sure others as well as I, I know your situation is unenviable. You have posted a few topics about this dog now. And it would seem that this behaviour has not come out of nowhere as you state in your opening.

This is little Strawberry after being clipped off completely. She has the most beautiful coat so I can't wait for it to grow back. If she were a human, you'd call it a Strawberry Blonde colour.