The cute little dog above was known as Spunky at our rescue. He was pulled from a high kill shelter in TN. Spunky had a few quirks, as with any dog none are perfect, just like us humans are not perfect. His adopter understood that he had flaws and she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and adopt him. She understood the risks of adopting an adult rescue dog, because you often inherit the bad behavior the dog learned in his prior life before being adopted. I am up front with all the people who adopt that no dog is perfect. Rescue dogs often have many flaws. If they expect a dog to be perfect then they really have no business adopting. When they have unrealistic expectations they are setting themselves and the dog up to fail. Most of the time our stories end up like this one. We love committed and educated adopters who know what to expect, and how to uncover the best in their rescue dog. We admire the tenacity of a devoted human who is determined help a dog succeed. Those types of adopters are the ones that keep the wheels or any creditable rescue turning.
Sent:
Monday, January 9, 2012 1:53 PM
Subject: Spunky (now known as Benny)
Subject: Spunky (now known as Benny)
Hi Betty,
I've been wanting to write to you to give you an update on Spunky/Benny,
hereinafter referred to by his forever name, Benny.
He is proving to be a wonderful family member and lives up to all you said
about him - well, at least most of the time. He is laid back and humble too but
he does have great amounts of energy at times. What fun !
Everyone who has met Benny falls in love with him. Those eyes of his just
look straight into one's heart; how could anyone resist? I could not. Now, as
for the one we call Daddy, he took longer to convince. First the issue of Benny
thinking one of the cats was some sneaky creature that came out at night (he
did). We are still working on that one but Biff Cat is getting braver and I
keep introducing them to eachother. Slow but sure; I have faith.
Benny walked great on the leash from the beginning but I did get a Gentle
Leader head collar for safety's sake around the cat and found it good for
walking Benny at certain times when I know he is full of the surplus energy. The G. Leader is wonderful and calms him right away. Vet and
sister both recommended it. If anyone asks they can see it on www.gentleleader.com
For awhile I thought Bob was going to make me part with Benny. I had many
friends supporting me and got me through the rough patch, especially friends at
the vet's and groomer's. It helped by taking Benny to doggie-day-care at the
groomer's twice a week. He loves it there and definitely needed time with other
dogs. He has a best friend who looks like he could be Benny's brother. Same
coloring and near in size. They greet each other as best friends do and I am
told play together the whole day. This gave, and gives, Bob and I two days to
do whatever we want - go further afield, etc. and not worry about dog walks
etc.
I also had a professional trainer come to our home one day to help with
suggestions about the "mouthing" that Benny was doing, cat relationship and
general suggestions re: training in obedience. By the time the day arrived for
the visit, I had Benny's "mouthing", meaning grabbing me at times when he
decided to play rough, mostly under control. I liked my method much better than
the trainer's and am sticking with my firm but more gentle approach.
I have spent lots of time, treats and praise in working on every-day
obedience. I don't know how much he already knew and is just re-learning or
what is new to him but he does learn very quickly. He shakes (paw) regularly.
Of course he is very food motivated and still prefers to perform for the treats
and sometimes ignores commands that don't have a treat attached. But he is
learning and will do just fine. The treats are part of the daily ration of food
so his weight is staying very steady after gaining about two pounds when he
first came.
Finally I must say what truly made "Daddy" come around. We have an 8 acre
dog park near us (12 miles, which is near in our rural area). We took him there
on a beautiful 50 degree day - New Year's Eve. He was ecstatic when he was
turned free in that big area among about 12 other dogs of all sizes. He makes
friends with all dogs and people. But the thing that opened my husband's heart
was to see Benny run. He could out-run all of those dogs no matter how big. He
ran in great, four foot, leaps and at full speed. Truly awesome to see. Other
people were all asking us what breed of dog he is. The paper work said
beagle/terrier but the first time our vet saw him and his long legs she said she
thought he could be part Italian Greyhound. After seeing him run we could
almost believe that. Bob was a runner (NYC Marathon) for many years and still
hikes regularly on the Appalachian Trail. He still hikes at least 25 - 30 miles
a week. Anyway - Benny impressed him. That afternoon I heard Bob say to Benny,
"Benny, we're going to keep you." That took a long time to come for me but it
was pure music to my ears. The miracle I asked for at Christmas was my New
Year's present.
Bob walks Benny at least once a day and I do the rest. Benny now jumps
into Bob's lap and I wish you could have seen the look on Bob's face the first
time he did that. Joy. Otherwise Benny is where I am and always very close -
as in touching me if not on my lap. He is a lap full at the computer.
Benny entered my heart at the first kiss (right out of the crate from his
trip to NJ) and yes, he has also joined me in bed. How could I resist?
I love him - totally.
'
Mary R, Benny's forever
Mom
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