calliecritturs
Posted : 4/30/2006 9:53:37 PM
My guess is that Roughie heard something from his 'old life' -- perhaps a voice, a child, or even a car (and dogs are incredibly astute -- they not only can tell the 'model' but the whine of a particular car). If he had 'lost' someone he considered his responsibility (like a child) the memory of that would be strong and perhaps he heard somethng he felt honor bound to go 'find' whoever it was. He may find his way back to you ... or he may have found his family, but I'd bet that although you are a skilled translator, it would have been interesting to have known enough 'dog-ese' to have understood all he was trying to tell you at that moment. Because I have a feeling you got the entire 'story' in a few agonized barks.
Whatever it was probably was a very deeply ingrained memory -- and perhaps a traumatic one. Let's hope he found what he wanted to find. I doubt he left you because he was unhappy -- but dogs have VERY long memories -- particularly for things they feel deeply responsible for or things that were traumatic.
My husband and I rescued a little female over a year ago who had been horribly abused. Her abuser not only starved her brutally but broke her back with something like a broom. She didn't walk when we took her, and unfortunately her injuries were SO bad we lost her 3 months later (likely a stroke from a blood clot that remained from that injury). She knew MUCH love with us -- and frankly her loss was devastating for me. I've loved and lost many many MANY dogs, but losing my sweet Pollyanna hurt so deeply.
But my point in telling you of her -- I'm convinced her abuser drove a Dodge Durango. Every time she would hear one her whole body would tense and she'd go on 'alert'. It would often wake her out of a sound sleep ... she'd strain and listen and then relax. It was like she identified the particular noise of a Durango, but not THAT Durango. It never failed -- she could tell a Durango from any other vehicle. And it was a fear response -- she would tremble all over as a result and then finally relax when she identified it as NOT 'his' car.
I wish you well -- and I will keep Roughie in my thots and prayers. My guess is somewhere that is a dog on a mission!!