The joy of rescue.

jimjr wrote:
It's been three years since we rescued Teddy from a family that treated him terribly. He was crated for 10 to 12 hours and only fed and watered on occasion. When we got him he was untrimmed, unwashed, and matted so bad that he had to be shaved completely.
Over time we've mostly overcome a lot of his issues such as fear of most everything and everyone. It took us two weeks to teach him to use the "doggie door" because he was afraid of the flap. Our vet said his habit of "circling" would be with him for a long, long time, maybe forever.
Today Teddy is what we call a perfect little pooch. He sticks to me like glue and has the run of the house, loves to travel in the cars and RV and enjoys his daily walks.

In the past, we've spent big money to buy pedigreed puppies and have had some great companions but after this experience with Teddy we would only look to a rescue organization to adopt. There are many very good animals waiting to join caring families to get the attention they deserve.

Awwww, this gives me a lot of hope for my Tiki-Bird. We've had him about 8 months and he was very much afraid when we got him. Lord, he was afraid of the dark, stop signs, pinecones, ribbons, and plastic bags, and numerous other odd things. God only knows what abuse he endured on the streets. He was almost dead when we got him from the pound.

But he has responded very well. He is still very afraid of men, especially if they're wearing a lot of black. And sometimes he will overreact if someone picks up something in their hand--a cup, a newspaper, a garden tool, a purse. When he really gets upset *he actually screams, he's so scared!* we have to just put him in his nice, safe crate with a blanket over it so he can settle down. It's the only thing that helps him calm himself.

Tiki was very afraid of being in the yard for a long time. He would run outside on leash, do his business and he was ready to get back inside. God, what has this little dog been through? Recently we finished fencing in the yard. He has tentatively explored his yard for the past 2 weeks. At first I had to literally walk around with him, the leash in my hand but not connected to him. This week he has been venturing to the fenceline by himself--but he keeps checking to make sure I'm standing nearby in his line of sight. He runs off the explore the yard, but pretty shortly he's back at my feet looking for some reassuring petting.

God bless the rescue animals and all their new parents. I think rescue dogs are truly grateful to their rescuers. I know mine shows me every day.