After spending two weeks with us, I returned MAKIS, (aka "Puppy X") back to the shelter. That same morning she participated in a TTouch™ program for volunteers where she got firsthand experience with different people who stroked her and taught her that touch can be enjoyable.
I was feeling really sad to know that she would no longer be running freely with my dogs. I will also miss seeing her acting like a totally normal and rambunctious puppy enjoying life and getting herself in typical puppy-trouble. She had begun to show more typical puppy behaviors as she learned to relax more at our home. I had to keep even closer tabs on her now because she discovered that perhaps the legs of the coffee table or the upholstery of our chair could be “fun” to chew. She even responded to me singing the song of “lets go outside” as both Rio and Deuce do.
Yikes! It is impossible for me not to get attached to the dogs that I bring home from the shelter and Makis (named after one of my nieces) was no exception!
Once back at the shelter, Makis who was overdue for one of her puppy-vaccines, had to be housed alone. My heart sank as I saw her curl up into an almost perfect ball at the end of the pen. So in my own way, I “told” Makis that this next step was a continuation of what will turn out to be a much better life for her and that she – just like any other being in this world, would have to learn not only to survive but to thrive! I left her behind – holding back the tears.
Later on as I hung out with Deuce and Rio I had a thought pop into my head that gave me some solace: I had earlier that day mentioned to the participants of the TTouch training, of the importance of giving animals time to integrate a new experience. I thought then about Makis at the shelter. I wanted her to have a “roommate” from the get-go. The roommate would not only keep her company but she/he could serve as her role model as to how to positively interact with people. I realized now the fact that Makis needing to spend a night on her own seemed like a great idea! If she had been housed with another puppy or even an adult dog it was very likely that they would engage in play, instead of Makis sleeping. Makis in her isolation and “quiet time” would have an opportunity to do just that: integrate new learning.
The following day, I checked to find out how she was doing and was sent a picture of Makis with her new pal. An older and very friendly white pitty (pit-bull).
Tomorrow, I will go to the shelter to continue working with her. And once again, I will “remind” her that she has a bright future ahead…
I was feeling really sad to know that she would no longer be running freely with my dogs. I will also miss seeing her acting like a totally normal and rambunctious puppy enjoying life and getting herself in typical puppy-trouble. She had begun to show more typical puppy behaviors as she learned to relax more at our home. I had to keep even closer tabs on her now because she discovered that perhaps the legs of the coffee table or the upholstery of our chair could be “fun” to chew. She even responded to me singing the song of “lets go outside” as both Rio and Deuce do.
Yikes! It is impossible for me not to get attached to the dogs that I bring home from the shelter and Makis (named after one of my nieces) was no exception!
Once back at the shelter, Makis who was overdue for one of her puppy-vaccines, had to be housed alone. My heart sank as I saw her curl up into an almost perfect ball at the end of the pen. So in my own way, I “told” Makis that this next step was a continuation of what will turn out to be a much better life for her and that she – just like any other being in this world, would have to learn not only to survive but to thrive! I left her behind – holding back the tears.
Later on as I hung out with Deuce and Rio I had a thought pop into my head that gave me some solace: I had earlier that day mentioned to the participants of the TTouch training, of the importance of giving animals time to integrate a new experience. I thought then about Makis at the shelter. I wanted her to have a “roommate” from the get-go. The roommate would not only keep her company but she/he could serve as her role model as to how to positively interact with people. I realized now the fact that Makis needing to spend a night on her own seemed like a great idea! If she had been housed with another puppy or even an adult dog it was very likely that they would engage in play, instead of Makis sleeping. Makis in her isolation and “quiet time” would have an opportunity to do just that: integrate new learning.
The following day, I checked to find out how she was doing and was sent a picture of Makis with her new pal. An older and very friendly white pitty (pit-bull).
Tomorrow, I will go to the shelter to continue working with her. And once again, I will “remind” her that she has a bright future ahead…
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