Nina's story: a Great Dane rescued from misery
Discussion
Last year I posted a farewell to my beloved Route 66 companion, Koda, who had come from a loving home unable to keep her.
SInce then, her companion, Lola,a standard Poodle, has been trying to fill the void, but a Great Dane-sized hole has been hard to fill. In Ontario, where I live, there is a wonderful volunteer organization called Danes in Distress that places 100 dogs a year. Nina is a two year old dog that was left in a drug grow-op with a Rottweiler for company, visited once a week, when food and water was thrown in . The Rottweiler was the Alpha dog and ate all the food , so the Dane starved, Eventually thrown out on the street, a concerned neighbour called Danes in Distress and she was picked up , filthy, faeces-encrusted, and starving.
She was placed in a foster home and nursed slowly back to health, and started the process of socialization. Danes in Distress sent an inspector to the house to ensure that there was a suitable environment and experienced dog owners before agreeing to place any dog for adoption. Durin her fostering it was clear that she did not like other dogs at that stage. so a major concern was whether she could get along with the poodle, Lola.
Saturday came, and Lola and I drove out to the country to the Great Dane meeting site, where they were setting up for a big event the following day. I was quite apprehensive about the dynamics. Jamie, the foster parent arrived with the dog in his car.
Introductions were interesting. An experienced dog handler from Great Dane Rescue took Nina and held her across his legs, hands on her haunches, and had all the other dogs engage in butt-sniffing - she initially resisted but then accepted and reciprocated. Poodle time followed. The handler walked the Dane and I walked the Poodle side-by- side. There was some initial growling from the Dane, but by the time the walk was over she had accepted the Poodle.
I had left the hatch open on the car, and unasked, Nina jumped in. The last two days have been exhausting as everything is new. She had now met dozens of dogs and people in the area and had her first very successful run in an off-leash park this morning, interacting with all sorts of dogs, running and jumping, a picture of vigour and happiness.
So, to my old Great Dane, Koda, sweet dreams. and to Nina, welcome...you have thousands of miles to go before you sleep.
Saying farewell to Jamie, her foster parent:
First walk alongside the poodle:
Heading for new home:
Poodle and Dane get along fine
Best not to leave food around
Mottled colouring very good for camouflage
Kodas' last picture.
SInce then, her companion, Lola,a standard Poodle, has been trying to fill the void, but a Great Dane-sized hole has been hard to fill. In Ontario, where I live, there is a wonderful volunteer organization called Danes in Distress that places 100 dogs a year. Nina is a two year old dog that was left in a drug grow-op with a Rottweiler for company, visited once a week, when food and water was thrown in . The Rottweiler was the Alpha dog and ate all the food , so the Dane starved, Eventually thrown out on the street, a concerned neighbour called Danes in Distress and she was picked up , filthy, faeces-encrusted, and starving.
She was placed in a foster home and nursed slowly back to health, and started the process of socialization. Danes in Distress sent an inspector to the house to ensure that there was a suitable environment and experienced dog owners before agreeing to place any dog for adoption. Durin her fostering it was clear that she did not like other dogs at that stage. so a major concern was whether she could get along with the poodle, Lola.
Saturday came, and Lola and I drove out to the country to the Great Dane meeting site, where they were setting up for a big event the following day. I was quite apprehensive about the dynamics. Jamie, the foster parent arrived with the dog in his car.
Introductions were interesting. An experienced dog handler from Great Dane Rescue took Nina and held her across his legs, hands on her haunches, and had all the other dogs engage in butt-sniffing - she initially resisted but then accepted and reciprocated. Poodle time followed. The handler walked the Dane and I walked the Poodle side-by- side. There was some initial growling from the Dane, but by the time the walk was over she had accepted the Poodle.
I had left the hatch open on the car, and unasked, Nina jumped in. The last two days have been exhausting as everything is new. She had now met dozens of dogs and people in the area and had her first very successful run in an off-leash park this morning, interacting with all sorts of dogs, running and jumping, a picture of vigour and happiness.
So, to my old Great Dane, Koda, sweet dreams. and to Nina, welcome...you have thousands of miles to go before you sleep.
Saying farewell to Jamie, her foster parent:
First walk alongside the poodle:
Heading for new home:
Poodle and Dane get along fine
Best not to leave food around
Mottled colouring very good for camouflage
Kodas' last picture.
The first few days with an abused dog are always a time for watchfulness and encouragement, but this dog had spent time with excellent fostering. Her initial shyness with other dogs has largely gone, and she loves people. Now, she chases and is chased in the off leash park, sniffs and is sniffed,has become a Starbucks fan, and jumps up and down when walk time arrives. Still a lot of separation anxiety, but it will pass. Loves to travel...and travel.
Sometimes the butt sniffing is a tad ambitious:
Smaller is better:
Chasing and being chased:
and reward time:
Sometimes the butt sniffing is a tad ambitious:
Smaller is better:
Chasing and being chased:
and reward time:
We have settled in quite well now, meeting the neighburhood kids and dogs, and love to travel in the SUV.
However, when we jumped into the back and headed for the Vet,( we have a wonderful vet in the neighbourhood) a big operation awaited,as the dog had to be both spayed and stomach tacked to avoid bloat. A very dazed and sick dog came out from the operation and went straight to bed when she got home....
However, recovery was rapid, and soon we were walking and romping...
Today, it was time to remove the stitches, and we cooperated, for a reward
At this stage, there is still leash training to do , but the transition has been far better that could have been expected for a two year old dog who had been starved, abused, and abandoned to die....
However, when we jumped into the back and headed for the Vet,( we have a wonderful vet in the neighbourhood) a big operation awaited,as the dog had to be both spayed and stomach tacked to avoid bloat. A very dazed and sick dog came out from the operation and went straight to bed when she got home....
However, recovery was rapid, and soon we were walking and romping...
Today, it was time to remove the stitches, and we cooperated, for a reward
At this stage, there is still leash training to do , but the transition has been far better that could have been expected for a two year old dog who had been starved, abused, and abandoned to die....
Edited by RDMcG on Monday 27th May 16:55
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