Relationships

Ruby is an approximately 5-year old Cavalier King Charles spaniel. She's a discarded puppymill breeder dog; in addition to the usual physical issues common with puppymill dogs, Ruby has a perineal hernia from carrying and bearing too many litters of puppies. When Ruby's bladder is full it pushes through the hole in her perineum, when she's in short coat it is obvious when Ruby needs to go outside.

The danger with this condition is that her bladder could come completely through the hole and twist (strangulate), and she would need immediate surgery to save her life. The problem is that I got a quote of $3,000 to fix it. Even if I could come up with that kind of money, $3K would provide all the routine veterinary care for 20 other dogs. I couldn't justify spending it on one middle-aged dog. She's unadoptable with this condition, so Ruby's a permanent foster.

I don't mind. Ruby's a sweetheart. She's silly, happy, easy-going, an easy-keeper, and a bit of a space cadet, although she's smart enough to pick up the routine all on her own and follow it with enthusiasm. Ruby's enthusiastic about nearly everything.

Baby is an approximately 2-year old cocker spaniel/poodle mix, also a discarded puppymill dog. She is probably the most psychologically damaged mill dog I've ever worked with. Baby has been with me 8 months, and I'm still not able to touch her. I do everything I can to avoid picking her up, but sometimes I have no other option. When I pick her up, Baby loses control of her bowels - I literally scare the crap out of her.

I don't crate Baby. I haven't figured out how to get her into one without picking her up and putting her there, so she has the "run" of the house. Except she rarely leaves her hidden observation spot - on the bottom shelf of the bookcase, behind the dogs' recliner. From there, or peeking around the back of the recliner, she can see everything going on in the living room and yet still feel safe.

Baby is happiest when she's outside with other dogs. With them, she's playful and uninhibited. I love to watch her with them, but I have to be inside watching through a window to see it. If I go out in the yard she freezes the instant she sees me and, though she'll go back to playing with the other dogs - more guardedly than before she saw me - she always keeps one eye on me and gives me a wide berth.

In just the last week or so, Baby has responded to her name when I speak to her. The first time, she was at the back of the little pack as they came in. She usually tries to be right in the middle, so I don't notice her and would have difficulty catching her if I intended to. At the back of the pack she felt vulnerable and backed away from the door. "C'mon, Baby, come on in, I'm not going to bother you." Her ears perked up, and she came in. She moved quickly past me, but it wasn't the terrified dash I'm so used to. Several times since then we've run into a similar situation, either going through an interior doorway or going outside and coming back in, and she's accepted my invitation each time.

The last few days she has been gradually moving closer to all the action. She's spent more time out in the main space in the living room, and in the evenings she's been hanging out in the toy basket (a peach bushel) on top of the toys, or in Bibi's open crate, which is the crate closest to the open space and thus, with the best view of it. I think she's decided she's done being a wallflower and it's time to join the dance. I've gotten a kick out of watching her. She looks a bit like a Rastafarian and I was planning on scissoring off some of her coat this weekend, but now I'm afraid she'll regress if I put any pressure on her, so I'm going to have to be patient and wait a week or two before I do anything about grooming her.

I let some dogs, including Baby and Ruby, out in the "big" yard this afternoon to play in the snow for a little while. I came back to the door but didn't come in, and stood there watching them. There was the usual leaping, running around in big circles, rolling and shaking. And then I saw Baby with Ruby. Baby was pouncing and bouncing at Ruby playfully, clearly trying to engage Ruby in some doggie game. I've never seen Baby so silly and lighthearted. I wanted to laugh out loud at her antics, but bit my tongue so I didn't scare her.

I watched Baby and Ruby together when they came back inside; wherever Ruby went, Baby followed. It seems Baby has taken a shine to Ruby. I'm so glad she's got a friend, especially one that's going to be here as long as she will be. I'm happy not only for Baby, but also because I'll be able to use that friendship to help her continue to emerge from her fear and her self-imposed isolation. It's always easier to face your fears when you've got a buddy to hold your hand.