Darby

[bersaguy]

When I first posted about Darby I said she had a little history behind her and her being so skinny is part of that which i plan to fix.  Her previous owners had her from a puppy and raise her to age 3.5 and a baby was born into the household and once the baby was old enough and crawling if the baby got near Darby she would growl and finally snapped at the baby, not biting the baby but they locked Darby in their garage and when the weekend they took her to the dog rescue and turned her over to them for adoption. Ever since then darby was on somewhat of a hunger strike and went the first 11 days without eating. The on site Vet said if she didn't begin eating they would have to put her down so all the girls that worked at the facility would take turns almost hand feeding at every meal and she was eating just enough to stay alive but not enough to add any weight back on. The girls tried to get about anyone and everyone that came in to adopt her but when she was brought to the visiting area she would not so any signs or reacting to any of the people so no one would take her. I had looked at about 10 different dogs they brought out to the visiting room and I just was not seeing anything that peaked my interest and I was about to give up and one of the girls looked at the other and said how about Darby and the girl went to get her as she was kept in the nursery with the puppys for fear the other dogs might hurt her. They brought her in, handed me her leash and went out to watch through a window. At first I just talked to her in a low tone and pulled an alpo biscuit out of my pocket and broke it in half and offered her half of it. When she heard it break her ears stood straight up and I saw both of the girls get a big grin. I held out the part of the biscuit till she felt comfortable and moved a little closer till she could take it from my hand and then she backed away and laid down and ate it. She stood back up and looked at me as to say she wanted the second half so I held it out and she wagged her tail and moved closer and when she took that half she stood right there and ate it. I reached out and let her smell my hand and reached in my pocket and got out another but I didn't break it but gave her the whole biscuit and she laid down by my feet and ate it and I began to pet her a little and her tail began wagging again. After about 5 minutes of petting as I sat in the chair she put her ears straight up and her tail was wagging and I was petting her. One of the girls was crying and 2 others were laughing. I learned later when they were getting her collar prepared and I was giving them all my address information the girl told me that it was the first time her ears stood up and her tail wagged since she had been there that they had seen. Another plus is she loves to ride. I opened up the back door of the jeep and she didn't need an invite. She was in , ears up and ready to go for a ride. So now you know as much about her as I do except she barked at my land lord several times when he came walking up while she was out side on the cable and has a loud bark.................Thats all folks!!!!

[tacops]

Dang it Bersa, that made me misty.  You should take up writing short stories as a hobby.  The fact that she barked at an "intruder" (at least that is how she perceived the landlord) indicates she is defensive and protective of "her" home and probably you as well.  Another good sign. 

[quietguy]

Sounds like you have found the right companion.

Just stay patient with her. 

[Sidecarist]

Some people were just made to be dog owners. You can tell who they are because their dogs clearly approve of them!

Best of luck with your new pal

[bersaguy]

Well we have day 2 under our belts and leash's and it was all good. Little accident early this morning that I take full responsibility as I explained in the other thread. Will try and correct that tonight for her. We had a pretty busy day went for several walks around the yards. I didn't put her on the cable because the back yard has grown tall and it is a bit much for her to pull the cable through it but that will be fixed tomorrow. My buddy that cuts my grass all sumer each year is coming out tomorrow with his rider and cut all the back yard down tight to the ground and also cut the whole yard and I doubt it will grow any more till Spring. Maybe then she will like going out on the cable then. I watched her on it the other day and even though she did drag it around I could tell she was having trouble with it.

I went through my freezer and found 2 bags of Chicken breasts I had left that I cooked for Kasey so dug out a bag and cooked a few on top of stove slow cooking. For supper tonight she had Chicken Breast and broth and your not gonna believe this but she ate everything in the new stainless steel bowl I bought her today along with some training snack pieces and new water bowl. Oh yea, I also bought myself some circus peanuts!! I can't go to TSC without getting a bag of them..........lol.

  She loves to ride as much as Kasey use to back at her age. She can clear the seat with no issue at all. I took Kaseys step out of it since Darby does not need it. I will put a container of water in the back again like I always had in case we just decide to go for a road trip to daughter or sons house. I think it is going to be nice enough tomorrow I might take her down to the park at the end of the road I live on and let her run a little with no restraints. It is point of land surrounded on 3 side by water and only about 100 feet wide so she can't go anywhere and she might enjoy being off a leash and learn more about coming when call to get a treat snack. She is good about coming in the house when called so want to see how good she will be outside.

[bersaguy]

Well, Darby day 3. All is well and things are moving right along. She had pedigree small chunks mixed with a pack of soft pedigree food and she woofed it down right quick, clean bowl in about 2 minutes. I made myself a pot roast today with Mashed potatoes and made some gravy. When plate was full I went into livng room cause I eat on a TV stand. Right beside my stand was a pair of eyes watching every bite I took. I looked down at her sitting watching me and I said don't worry, your gonna get to lick the plate so she lays down and waits right there. I left just a few potatoes and gravy and about 6 small bites of beef on the plate. Below is the results after supper"s.

 

Edited December 3, 2017 by bersaguy

[Sidecarist]

That's satisfaction!

[TripleGGG]

Looks like you just might have a winner. Awesome.