I have had an enormously looong day and I almost didn't go to the shelter today. Boy, am I glad I DID go!
A little background: about a month ago, a Chinese crested (powderpuff) was turned in by his owner. She informed us that he bites and doesn't like kids. I wasn't there, but the other volunteer and our ACO said the owner brought her 2YO grandson and he was Hell on wheels. He tooks Grandma's keys and went and turned her truck on
. He was also KICKING at Patches (the dog's name). I wonder why he doesn't like kids? (sarcasm set to "kill";).
The first week, Patches did nothing but curl up in a fetal ball and shake whenever we went by him. Darleen talked with him every day and we finally got a drag leash on him so we could catch him. For the first month, I only talked to him through the kennel door. He would make eye contact, but nothing else. Two weeks ago, I took him for a walk. I didn't make him do anything but walk on my left side. We did this for a week. Last week, I made him come to me when we stopped. He circles and heels well, so somebody had worked with him at SOME point.When we stopped, I very carefully petted the top of his head with a finger (he would have bitten me a week earlier if I had tried this). This week, he came to me as soon as I picked up his drag leash. Today, we had a break through! He MET me at the front of his kennel and was ready to go. I made him come and heel for me and I petted his back. Then, we stopped and found a place to sit down. I patted my knee and he put his paws up on my lap! I pettted him and then stopped and he nudged me for more pets. I couldn't believe it!
When we got back to the shelter, I handed out treats and saw him wag his tail for the VERY first time. I wasn't even SURE he HAD a tail; I had never seen it before today because it was curled sooo tightly under his belly. He also came ot the front of the kennel to talk to me. I was nearly in tears.
What is sooo sad is that I know two of Patches' brothers (not littermates, but same breeding) and they are sweet, happy, outgoing little dogs. I can only hope that he will finally come out of his shell and find a loving, caring, forever home.