Loving my Oldies Posted November 10, 2022 Author Share Posted November 10, 2022 (edited) 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. Edited November 10, 2022 by Loving my Oldies 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 As you know it'll probably take around three months for her to be a (fairly) normal little dog, she'll lose that awful nervous look and become more outgoing and happy. That photo breaks my heart. ps, I love your floorboards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 how is the little Strawberry coming along @Loving my Oldies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted December 1, 2022 Author Share Posted December 1, 2022 (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. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deeds Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 Lovely pics. Everyone kooks happy and comfortable. Looks like you have the original Kauri floorboards. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazm Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 You certainly sound like you’ve got a handful in little Strawberry. But she looks worth the trouble. I’m sure there is a great little dog underneath all her worries. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted December 1, 2022 Author Share Posted December 1, 2022 2 hours ago, Kazm said: You certainly sound like you’ve got a handful in little Strawberry. But she looks worth the trouble. I’m sure there is a great little dog underneath all her worries. 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. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 You and Strawberry will get there 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted December 3, 2022 Author Share Posted December 3, 2022 (edited) 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. Edited December 3, 2022 by Loving my Oldies 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Anne~ Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 Aww, she sounds like she’s definitely becoming more confident around you. She sounds so sweet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted December 4, 2022 Author Share Posted December 4, 2022 (edited) We have a long way to go. Poor darling was terrified. Edited December 4, 2022 by Loving my Oldies 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 10 hours ago, Loving my Oldies said: Poor darling was terrified. She was...but I do think it will improve She was also thinking about what was happening - not full-on panic Dear little scrap. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazm Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 Such a sweetie. Baby steps all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted December 4, 2022 Author Share Posted December 4, 2022 1 hour ago, persephone said: not full-on panic 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted December 6, 2022 Author Share Posted December 6, 2022 (edited) Just one of the girls. Clockwise from top left: Beatrice, Shala, Strawbs, Bunches. Edited December 6, 2022 by Loving my Oldies 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazm Posted December 6, 2022 Share Posted December 6, 2022 The awesome foursome 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 6, 2022 Share Posted December 6, 2022 What a lovely photo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeiLuvR Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Sweet little Strawberry. I hope she continues to come out of her shell and flourish with gentle encouragement. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted December 9, 2022 Author Share Posted December 9, 2022 5 hours ago, PeiLuvR said: Sweet little Strawberry. I hope she continues to come out of her shell and flourish with gentle encouragement. 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. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Good to hear an update I am glad she is seeming much more comfortable doing things .... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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