Tremendous Progress

I had a hard time finishing that last post because something wonderful happened. Bonnie suddenly came out of her corner and started pacing. First she jumped up on the other couch and looked out the window. Then she came over to where I was sitting and stood in front of me. I was very touched when she not only allowed me to pet her, but seemed very much to enjoy it.

But the best part was that she suddenly jumped up on the couch I was sitting on, and layed down on my lap. She decided that I was trustworthy, that I wouldn't hurt her, and she needed me. I am so happy for her -- I never would have thought that she would come so far today. I truly expected that I would spend the next few weeks trying to build up her trust.

I think this bodes well for her future. If she can come around so quickly with me, hopefully her shyness is something that can be overcome. I've promised her that I will make sure that no one ever hurts her again.

The photo is of Bonnie feeling right at home in my house -- looking out the window while perched on the back of my couch.

The Beginning

Up until 3 minutes ago her name was Keena. She originally came into our shelter last spring as a 5 month old puppy and was adopted out to a couple. They brought her in for a private consultation with our trainer earlier this week who talked them into surrendering her back to us.

I wish these people could have been charged with abuse. Apparently she was submissively urinating. In response they smacked her, grabbed her and shoved her face in the urine. They also kept a shock collar on her and used it pretty liberally -- anytime she did something they didn't like. And this was just what they admitted to the trainer -- who knows what else they were doing that they were ashamed of.

She was placed in our adoption area, and on Tuesday I tried to get a photo of her for our website. She fearfully ran from me to the other side of the kennel. I came in the kennel and sat some distance from her -- tossing treats. 5 minutes later she was still frozen in the same corner on the opposite side of her kennel from me. I walked out and 15 minutes later she was still in the same corner.

She was supposed to have been adopted yesterday, but the potential adopters changed their minds after hearing what they would have to go through in working with this damaged dog. It was a good choice -- this will not be an easy dog to work with, and she should only be adopted by someone who has the patience and ability to help her.