|
Post by kentlurcherloversu on Nov 19, 2010 9:50:53 GMT
Another step in the right direction
|
|
|
Post by aijee on Nov 19, 2010 10:56:05 GMT
|
|
|
Post by twigletsmum on Nov 19, 2010 11:14:17 GMT
I hope the following makes you all feel a bit better and more hopeful. I have had my Magic for 4 years now. We were blackberry picking near where I was keeping my horses, when a dirty brown shaggy dog came stumbling up to us, and then collapsed at our feet. She was covered in recent scars, skin and bone, her pads were cut and bleeding and she had barbed wire bound round her neck. After having her checked out by the Vet who said it was starvation and exhaustion we took her home. When she got a bit stronger we took her to my friend who is a dog groomer as she smelt so so bad, and she gave her a careful gentle bath. To our astonishment, she wasn't brown, but such a pale cream as to be almost white. Her front teeth were nearly all missing or snapped off where she had panicked to try and escape I reckon. The Vet thought she was probably about 4. The physical wounds healed quickly although she has many scars, but the mental wounds took a lot longer. She was terribly destructive if I left her even for a minute or two. I thought it would be a good idea if I took her to the stables with me and left her in the car so she would know I was coming back. After no more than half a n hour one of the stable girls came running up to me and asked if I had seen my car ( which was a cabriolet) I went to have a look and OMG the damage she had done in that short time.She had ripped out the roof lining, destroyed the door linings, chewed up the headrests and the seats, and pooed and peed everywhere. My car was so badly damaged we scrapped it. When I opened the car door she threw herself flat and screamed her head off while peeing again. Poor little soul was so so traumatised by what she had been through. It took a long time and lots of patience but she is now a well balanced happy girl that I can leave indoors when I go out , not in a crate, and she won't touch anything except the odd bit of paper she chews up for some reason. I know she has a 'voice' as I have heard her whine, but I have never ever heard this girl bark, quite strange really. Sorry to go on, but this little saluiki girl sounds very much like Magic was, and I just wanted to give encouragement and say it will all come right in the end.
|
|
|
Post by Wipuki on Nov 19, 2010 13:06:21 GMT
One small amusing thing that is emerging... Tilly likes a pillow. She looks like a very refined princess when she sleeps Of course she does ....she's a FLOOKIE, and as anyone who's owned by a Flookie will confirm, they are all princesses and demand to be treated as such
|
|
|
Post by sara w on Nov 19, 2010 13:51:07 GMT
My collie cross always had a pillow too, and if there wasn't one (eg in the bathroom - she followed me everywhere) she'd lie so her head was propped up in a corner!! She may well have had a bit of saluki as she had the feathering and was incredibly fast - outran anything she played with.
Many thanks Cath for the detailed updates - so pleased to know she is coming along albeit so slowly. This will take time but I'm sure she'll get there in the end with all your tlc.
Very distressing story about Magic - it beggars belief anyone can treat a dog so
|
|
|
Post by Jules on Nov 19, 2010 19:42:11 GMT
I had the pleasure of meeting Tilly today. She is going to be a cracker; it might take a little while yet, but there's a lovely dog in there waiting to come out. She's doing really well with Cath and Mike. The difference in her facial expression is marked even from just two days ago. She's still a little both wary and weary around the eyes, but she's beginning to relax. When I arrived she and Dezzie had been for a long walk; Tilly was tired and after saying hello took herself off to their crate and had a sleep for a while. Dezzie was still wide awake and up for it; but they're different types of dogs. Tilly answered to her name and came to me several times for fusses and ear fondles, and in the garden initiated contact, too, and we got some gentle tail wags. She's a naturally warier dog than Dezzie (well, Saluki..!) and I think she needs to get her happiness back, basically. She's definitely had some kind of very rough treatment in the recent past and needs to learn to trust again. She's more sensitive to voice commands and doesn't like fast hand movements . Outside on meeting Sykes (away from the cats!) she was quite flirty and funny. She made an odd, quiet, under-the-breath sort of humming sound (not a growl at all) at him - a lot - but there was no aggression in it, and Sykes wasn't worried by it (I think he was pretending he wasn't there to be honest!). Tilly stood up on her hind legs, leaned into Cath and got all, well, silly. She trotted across the garden to watch us leave; being in season might have had something to do with that though, not that Sykes is any use to her! Cath has some brilliant photos I hope she'll put up later, but here she is in the garden: you can still see the wariness, but she's doing so well in such a short time. Her poor shorn coat! Bless her...
|
|
cathjavelin
Guest
|
Post by cathjavelin on Nov 19, 2010 20:08:27 GMT
Tilly continues to make baby steps. She's becoming more relaxed and visitors to the house are greeted gently with the beginnings of a bit of a tail wag. As Jules has said, she was funny today with Sykes (I could write a book about Sykes just from one meeting!!! but that's for a different thread!). She got on two legs to look over the gate and have a nose. First real evidence of an independent decision whilst in close proximity to a human being. She got lots of fuss!!!! We're exercising both dogs separately at the moment. Dezzie wants manic times with a ball. Tilly wants a longer "walk". She encountered pheasants and deer on her walk and although she noticed them, wasn't off lead and wasn't straining at the lead to go get! She's encountered our cats on several occasions. There is a strong chase instinct (you run, I'll chase) but little prey instinct... if the cat stays still she'll basically ignore it. She's doing well on the house-training. Not quite perfect yet but absolutely clean in her bed area. Just been caught short twice on the way outside. I found her lying in "prime" position in our house today. This position allows you to a) see up the stairs b) see the crates and the office c) watch the hallway for movement in from the kitchen and the front garden. As you can see, the ears are starting to perk up when you call her name. She'll come if you add additional come, come noises and leg taps although this is currently not reliable.
|
|
|
Post by Romi on Nov 19, 2010 20:19:00 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Wipuki on Nov 19, 2010 22:42:12 GMT
|
|
jane33
Guest
|
Post by jane33 on Nov 19, 2010 22:48:32 GMT
Good girl little Tilly - youll get there xxx
|
|
|
Post by sara w on Nov 19, 2010 23:39:20 GMT
She does have very big paws! - I noticed when transporting her, also those big fluffy legs. She's looking much better already - and she's connecting with the person holding the camera. Great to know she is responding already, well done
|
|
|
Post by moopops on Nov 20, 2010 9:03:31 GMT
Lovely updates, can see a difference in her already and she is going to be an absolute stunner. The mental scars will take longer but from the sounds of it patience and baby steps is all that is needed.
|
|
cathjavelin
Guest
|
Post by cathjavelin on Nov 20, 2010 12:12:10 GMT
This morning Tilly has "got the grump." Various comments from my son, my husband and my son's male friend about PMT are being suggested. On behalf of the rest of the female population I am thinking of getting the grump at all this sexism! Basically - she's in film star mode and "wants to be alone." Both Charlie and Dezzie have been told off this morning. The humans, however, are not being subjected to the grumps though
|
|
salukigoddess
Guest
|
Post by salukigoddess on Nov 20, 2010 13:04:31 GMT
Hope she continues to make small steps forward, bless her she's been through such alot and now her coming into season won't be helping . She seems to be coming on so well already which is a credit to you . Her fluffy legs have got me very fluffy indeed .
|
|
|
Post by vickiemily on Nov 20, 2010 15:09:47 GMT
hope Tilly continues to do well, sounds like her small steps are a great achievements to her and signs of great progress already, onwards and upwards from now on, hope she continues to get stronger, her wounds will heal and she will get more confident over time, lots of positive wishes to her
|
|
|
Post by Fran on Nov 20, 2010 17:25:27 GMT
Positive 'keep up the progress' thoughts Tilly - gentle ear ruffles from us please She looks so much happier already - well done ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by oreste on Nov 20, 2010 22:09:46 GMT
I am in love with Tilly, Ajax as well send lots of kisses and licks. Do you mean she might be a Saluki / Afghan cross Donna? WOW...can wait to see her shine
|
|
cathjavelin
Guest
|
Post by cathjavelin on Nov 20, 2010 23:26:47 GMT
Tilly's just had a bath. No photos I'm afraid as we had two hands available to get her done quickly and provide reassurance.
She was stoical about it and has been towel dried and is now toasting by the fire.
|
|
cathjavelin
Guest
|
Post by cathjavelin on Nov 21, 2010 1:03:25 GMT
Really seeing some progress now! She's started to "dance" move from one foot to the other and wiggle her head when she is excited or very interested in what's going on. Also - we have discovered that she likes cheese. Really, really, really likes cheese. Below are a couple of pictures of Mike cooking - note the open grill and food around. These two are not counter surfers and are generally well mannered around food which is pleasing. Arthur and Milo would have been on the worksurface at the same stage! This one is just to give an indication of the cat status and other interesting flash points. Note Charlie (excuse him looking so decrepit - he is!) with the chew and Gipsy the Cat maintaining status and essentially being ignored. This is an attempt at a "snapshot" rather than a "pose" - it's quite hard to take a picture of "nothing" Hope I'm not boring everyone with these mindless updates. It's quite helpful from this end to track the progress.
|
|
|
Post by Romi on Nov 21, 2010 7:28:04 GMT
|
|