Post photos of your dogs (Vol 3)
Discussion
This a tale of two dogs, mainly because we've only ever had two.
Our first dog (it was somewhere in the mid '80s) was a black Labrador, the children picked her name and called her Muffy. The children were all quite young at the time, but Muffy was the perfect companion, she was gentle, playful, loveable. had the patience of a saint and was permanently on guard where the children were concerned (one high pitched squeal and she was right there checking they were OK). Everything seemed perfect at the time and did for the next 6 or 7 years, then life turned up.
Early 90's, within the space of a week I was told I was being made redundant and my father died suddenly and very unexpectedly. Muffy seemed to know instinctively something was wrong and turned her attention on to me. It may sound daft but I really didn't want to talk to anyone about what had happened but I coulld talk to the dog, Next few years were tough financially but Muffy was still there, the same as ever.
Eventually (5 years later!) got back into my old job, things were finally on the up. Head Office was over in Birmingham so I had to spend a couple of weeks induction there. I'd only been there a few days when I had a phone call from home to say Muffy had died. She'd had a stoke (or something brain related) and my daughter had found her having a fit, vet was called and he at least managed to give her something to stop the fit but he said there was nothing else that he could do and she died peacefully a couple of hours later.
I was heartbroken, not only that we'd lost her but I wasn't at home to help her the way she'd helped me.
I swore I'd never have another dog after Muffy and we didn't for 18 years until.....
Cut to 2016, children all grown up, left home, families of their own, wife and myself both taken early retirement and wife decides she wants a dog. I asked why and she said since the children had left home she needed something to care for (in the maternal sense), I though about saying "you could try me" but thought better of it. Eventually I gave i gave in but we decided we'd get a rescue dog as at least we'd be doing some good.
After being vetted it was time to chose a dog. I couldn't go and do it because I'd just feel guilty about the one's that I didn't pick, so off went the wife to make the choice and a couple of days later she arrived (the dog that is, the wife came back earlier!).
So there I was sitting of the carpet trying to make friends with a terrified dog, who'd known nothing but abuse until the rescue people had got her, never had a home and probably known very little but fear in her entire life, the sadest thing of all was she didn't know how to play, she'd obviously never done it. It's taken a while but a least she now realises all humans aren't sadists who are about to give her a good kicking. Not much of the old fears left now apart from she's still scared by sudden loud noises and when she's fast asleep she's in maximum defense mode and you will get a growly snarl if you aren't talking to her when you approach (followed by a profuse tail wagging appology when she wakes up). I guess if you've aways gone to sleep scared you are a bit touchy.
That apart she's very playful, loveable, affectionate and I like to think happy finally, it's one of the best and most rewarding things we've ever done and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Ellie (that's the dog not me)
l]
|https://thumbsnap.com/9hbxUq81[/url]
Our first dog (it was somewhere in the mid '80s) was a black Labrador, the children picked her name and called her Muffy. The children were all quite young at the time, but Muffy was the perfect companion, she was gentle, playful, loveable. had the patience of a saint and was permanently on guard where the children were concerned (one high pitched squeal and she was right there checking they were OK). Everything seemed perfect at the time and did for the next 6 or 7 years, then life turned up.
Early 90's, within the space of a week I was told I was being made redundant and my father died suddenly and very unexpectedly. Muffy seemed to know instinctively something was wrong and turned her attention on to me. It may sound daft but I really didn't want to talk to anyone about what had happened but I coulld talk to the dog, Next few years were tough financially but Muffy was still there, the same as ever.
Eventually (5 years later!) got back into my old job, things were finally on the up. Head Office was over in Birmingham so I had to spend a couple of weeks induction there. I'd only been there a few days when I had a phone call from home to say Muffy had died. She'd had a stoke (or something brain related) and my daughter had found her having a fit, vet was called and he at least managed to give her something to stop the fit but he said there was nothing else that he could do and she died peacefully a couple of hours later.
I was heartbroken, not only that we'd lost her but I wasn't at home to help her the way she'd helped me.
I swore I'd never have another dog after Muffy and we didn't for 18 years until.....
Cut to 2016, children all grown up, left home, families of their own, wife and myself both taken early retirement and wife decides she wants a dog. I asked why and she said since the children had left home she needed something to care for (in the maternal sense), I though about saying "you could try me" but thought better of it. Eventually I gave i gave in but we decided we'd get a rescue dog as at least we'd be doing some good.
After being vetted it was time to chose a dog. I couldn't go and do it because I'd just feel guilty about the one's that I didn't pick, so off went the wife to make the choice and a couple of days later she arrived (the dog that is, the wife came back earlier!).
So there I was sitting of the carpet trying to make friends with a terrified dog, who'd known nothing but abuse until the rescue people had got her, never had a home and probably known very little but fear in her entire life, the sadest thing of all was she didn't know how to play, she'd obviously never done it. It's taken a while but a least she now realises all humans aren't sadists who are about to give her a good kicking. Not much of the old fears left now apart from she's still scared by sudden loud noises and when she's fast asleep she's in maximum defense mode and you will get a growly snarl if you aren't talking to her when you approach (followed by a profuse tail wagging appology when she wakes up). I guess if you've aways gone to sleep scared you are a bit touchy.
That apart she's very playful, loveable, affectionate and I like to think happy finally, it's one of the best and most rewarding things we've ever done and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Ellie (that's the dog not me)
l]
|https://thumbsnap.com/9hbxUq81[/url]Edited by Norfolkit on Tuesday 16th October 16:57
Norfolkit said:
This a tale of two dogs, mainly because we've only ever had two.
Our first dog (it was somewhere in the mid '80s) was a black Labrador, the children picked her name and called her Muffy. The children were all quite young at the time, but Muffy was the perfect companion, she was gentle, playful, loveable. had the patience of a saint and was permanently on guard where the children were concerned (one high pitched squeal and she was right there checking they were OK). Everything seemed perfect at the time and did for the next 6 or 7 years, then life turned up.
Early 90's, within the space of a week I was told I was being made redundant and my father died suddenly and very unexpectedly. Muffy seemed to know instinctively something was wrong and turned her attention on to me. It may sound daft but I really didn't want to talk to anyone about what had happened but I coulld talk to the dog, Next few years were tough financially but Muffy was still there, the same as ever.
Eventually (5 years later!) got back into my old job, things were finally on the up. Head Office was over in Birmingham so I had to spend a couple of weeks induction there. I'd only been there a few days when I had a phone call from home to say Muffy had died. She'd had a stoke (or something brain related) and my daughter had found her having a fit, vet was called and he at least managed to give her something to stop the fit but he said there was nothing else that he could do and she died peacefully a couple of hours later.
I was heartbroken, not only that we'd lost her but I wasn't at home to help her the way she'd helped me.
I swore I'd never have another dog after Muffy and we didn't for 18 years until.....
Cut to 2016, children all grown up, left home, families of their own, wife and myself both taken early retirement and wife decides she wants a dog. I asked why and she said since the children had left home she needed something to care for (in the maternal sense), I though about saying "you could try me" but thought better of it. Eventually I gave i gave in but we decided we'd get a rescue dog as at least we'd be doing some good.
After being vetted it was time to chose a dog. I couldn't go and do it because I'd just feel guilty about the one's that I didn't pick, so off went the wife to make the choice and a couple of days later she arrived (the dog that is, the wife came back earlier!).
So there I was sitting of the carpet trying to make friends with a terrified dog, who'd known nothing but abuse until the rescue people had got her, never had a home and probably known very little but fear in her entire life, the sadest thing of all was she didn't know how to play, she'd obviously never done it. It's taken a while but a least she now realises all humans aren't sadists who are about to give her a good kicking. Not much of the old fears left now apart from she's still scared by sudden loud noises and when she's fast asleep she's in maximum defense mode and you will get a growly snarl if you aren't talking to her when you approach (followed by a profuse tail wagging appology when she wakes up). I guess if you've aways gone to sleep scared you are a bit touchy.
That apart she's very playful, loveable, affectionate and I like to think happy finally, it's one of the best and most rewarding things we've ever done and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Ellie (that's the dog not me)
l]|https://thumbsnap.com/9hbxUq81[/url]
Congratulations on choosing the right owners Ellie. Our first dog (it was somewhere in the mid '80s) was a black Labrador, the children picked her name and called her Muffy. The children were all quite young at the time, but Muffy was the perfect companion, she was gentle, playful, loveable. had the patience of a saint and was permanently on guard where the children were concerned (one high pitched squeal and she was right there checking they were OK). Everything seemed perfect at the time and did for the next 6 or 7 years, then life turned up.
Early 90's, within the space of a week I was told I was being made redundant and my father died suddenly and very unexpectedly. Muffy seemed to know instinctively something was wrong and turned her attention on to me. It may sound daft but I really didn't want to talk to anyone about what had happened but I coulld talk to the dog, Next few years were tough financially but Muffy was still there, the same as ever.
Eventually (5 years later!) got back into my old job, things were finally on the up. Head Office was over in Birmingham so I had to spend a couple of weeks induction there. I'd only been there a few days when I had a phone call from home to say Muffy had died. She'd had a stoke (or something brain related) and my daughter had found her having a fit, vet was called and he at least managed to give her something to stop the fit but he said there was nothing else that he could do and she died peacefully a couple of hours later.
I was heartbroken, not only that we'd lost her but I wasn't at home to help her the way she'd helped me.
I swore I'd never have another dog after Muffy and we didn't for 18 years until.....
Cut to 2016, children all grown up, left home, families of their own, wife and myself both taken early retirement and wife decides she wants a dog. I asked why and she said since the children had left home she needed something to care for (in the maternal sense), I though about saying "you could try me" but thought better of it. Eventually I gave i gave in but we decided we'd get a rescue dog as at least we'd be doing some good.
After being vetted it was time to chose a dog. I couldn't go and do it because I'd just feel guilty about the one's that I didn't pick, so off went the wife to make the choice and a couple of days later she arrived (the dog that is, the wife came back earlier!).
So there I was sitting of the carpet trying to make friends with a terrified dog, who'd known nothing but abuse until the rescue people had got her, never had a home and probably known very little but fear in her entire life, the sadest thing of all was she didn't know how to play, she'd obviously never done it. It's taken a while but a least she now realises all humans aren't sadists who are about to give her a good kicking. Not much of the old fears left now apart from she's still scared by sudden loud noises and when she's fast asleep she's in maximum defense mode and you will get a growly snarl if you aren't talking to her when you approach (followed by a profuse tail wagging appology when she wakes up). I guess if you've aways gone to sleep scared you are a bit touchy.
That apart she's very playful, loveable, affectionate and I like to think happy finally, it's one of the best and most rewarding things we've ever done and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Ellie (that's the dog not me)
l]
|https://thumbsnap.com/9hbxUq81[/url]Edited by Norfolkit on Tuesday 16th October 16:57
. Great post and a lovely story.
Norfolkit said:
This a tale of two dogs, mainly because we've only ever had two.
Our first dog (it was somewhere in the mid '80s) was a black Labrador, the children picked her name and called her Muffy. The children were all quite young at the time, but Muffy was the perfect companion, she was gentle, playful, loveable. had the patience of a saint and was permanently on guard where the children were concerned (one high pitched squeal and she was right there checking they were OK). Everything seemed perfect at the time and did for the next 6 or 7 years, then life turned up.
Early 90's, within the space of a week I was told I was being made redundant and my father died suddenly and very unexpectedly. Muffy seemed to know instinctively something was wrong and turned her attention on to me. It may sound daft but I really didn't want to talk to anyone about what had happened but I coulld talk to the dog, Next few years were tough financially but Muffy was still there, the same as ever.
Eventually (5 years later!) got back into my old job, things were finally on the up. Head Office was over in Birmingham so I had to spend a couple of weeks induction there. I'd only been there a few days when I had a phone call from home to say Muffy had died. She'd had a stoke (or something brain related) and my daughter had found her having a fit, vet was called and he at least managed to give her something to stop the fit but he said there was nothing else that he could do and she died peacefully a couple of hours later.
I was heartbroken, not only that we'd lost her but I wasn't at home to help her the way she'd helped me.
I swore I'd never have another dog after Muffy and we didn't for 18 years until.....
Cut to 2016, children all grown up, left home, families of their own, wife and myself both taken early retirement and wife decides she wants a dog. I asked why and she said since the children had left home she needed something to care for (in the maternal sense), I though about saying "you could try me" but thought better of it. Eventually I gave i gave in but we decided we'd get a rescue dog as at least we'd be doing some good.
After being vetted it was time to chose a dog. I couldn't go and do it because I'd just feel guilty about the one's that I didn't pick, so off went the wife to make the choice and a couple of days later she arrived (the dog that is, the wife came back earlier!).
So there I was sitting of the carpet trying to make friends with a terrified dog, who'd known nothing but abuse until the rescue people had got her, never had a home and probably known very little but fear in her entire life, the sadest thing of all was she didn't know how to play, she'd obviously never done it. It's taken a while but a least she now realises all humans aren't sadists who are about to give her a good kicking. Not much of the old fears left now apart from she's still scared by sudden loud noises and when she's fast asleep she's in maximum defense mode and you will get a growly snarl if you aren't talking to her when you approach (followed by a profuse tail wagging appology when she wakes up). I guess if you've aways gone to sleep scared you are a bit touchy.
That apart she's very playful, loveable, affectionate and I like to think happy finally, it's one of the best and most rewarding things we've ever done and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Ellie (that's the dog not me)
l]|https://thumbsnap.com/9hbxUq81[/url]
Our first dog (it was somewhere in the mid '80s) was a black Labrador, the children picked her name and called her Muffy. The children were all quite young at the time, but Muffy was the perfect companion, she was gentle, playful, loveable. had the patience of a saint and was permanently on guard where the children were concerned (one high pitched squeal and she was right there checking they were OK). Everything seemed perfect at the time and did for the next 6 or 7 years, then life turned up.
Early 90's, within the space of a week I was told I was being made redundant and my father died suddenly and very unexpectedly. Muffy seemed to know instinctively something was wrong and turned her attention on to me. It may sound daft but I really didn't want to talk to anyone about what had happened but I coulld talk to the dog, Next few years were tough financially but Muffy was still there, the same as ever.
Eventually (5 years later!) got back into my old job, things were finally on the up. Head Office was over in Birmingham so I had to spend a couple of weeks induction there. I'd only been there a few days when I had a phone call from home to say Muffy had died. She'd had a stoke (or something brain related) and my daughter had found her having a fit, vet was called and he at least managed to give her something to stop the fit but he said there was nothing else that he could do and she died peacefully a couple of hours later.
I was heartbroken, not only that we'd lost her but I wasn't at home to help her the way she'd helped me.
I swore I'd never have another dog after Muffy and we didn't for 18 years until.....
Cut to 2016, children all grown up, left home, families of their own, wife and myself both taken early retirement and wife decides she wants a dog. I asked why and she said since the children had left home she needed something to care for (in the maternal sense), I though about saying "you could try me" but thought better of it. Eventually I gave i gave in but we decided we'd get a rescue dog as at least we'd be doing some good.
After being vetted it was time to chose a dog. I couldn't go and do it because I'd just feel guilty about the one's that I didn't pick, so off went the wife to make the choice and a couple of days later she arrived (the dog that is, the wife came back earlier!).
So there I was sitting of the carpet trying to make friends with a terrified dog, who'd known nothing but abuse until the rescue people had got her, never had a home and probably known very little but fear in her entire life, the sadest thing of all was she didn't know how to play, she'd obviously never done it. It's taken a while but a least she now realises all humans aren't sadists who are about to give her a good kicking. Not much of the old fears left now apart from she's still scared by sudden loud noises and when she's fast asleep she's in maximum defense mode and you will get a growly snarl if you aren't talking to her when you approach (followed by a profuse tail wagging appology when she wakes up). I guess if you've aways gone to sleep scared you are a bit touchy.
That apart she's very playful, loveable, affectionate and I like to think happy finally, it's one of the best and most rewarding things we've ever done and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Ellie (that's the dog not me)
l]
|https://thumbsnap.com/9hbxUq81[/url]Edited by Norfolkit on Tuesday 16th October 16:57
Happy New Home Ellie
Norfolkit said:
Long story not duplicated
Ellie (that's the dog not me)
l]
Lovely story and Ellie is a fine looking dog. I always remember a chap I used to work with, he always had at least two dobermans (dobermen?) and then one year he lost both within weeks of each other and a few months later he still hadn't got another dog. I asked him why and he said "I just can't take losing another dog, it hurts too much". Non-dog owners will never understand the pain when you lose your dog.Ellie (that's the dog not me)
l]
Edited by Norfolkit on Tuesday 16th October 16:57
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Rudyard Kipling from "The Power of the Dog" (if you haven't read it before, go somewhere quiet and take some tissues before googling it.)
We all know where you've been and what you have committed to do. Well done and enjoy your time with one of the most wonderful creatures on earth.
The Mutt.
Lovely story about Ella, she is in a good place now.
Our first dog was a rescue border collie who was scared of her own shadow.
Like yours, she did not know how to play. however, about four years in and we got a flat coated retriever who taught her, and us, all about play.
giving a rescue dog a second chance at life is so rewarding.
Our first dog was a rescue border collie who was scared of her own shadow.
Like yours, she did not know how to play. however, about four years in and we got a flat coated retriever who taught her, and us, all about play.
giving a rescue dog a second chance at life is so rewarding.
and now he's not had any accidents for months he's been allowed up on the sofa's.
Pesty said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlbbZ6MhIIE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFtcfVgLQ5Q
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