Gracie is our 9-12 month old bi-color German Shepherd we fostered, then adopted, after she was seized from a man who had 23 other dogs and had left them with no food or water in horrid living conditions. When the rescuers found her she had been hiding in a burrow made of caked manure, in a dark, windowless barn. Gracie should be approximately 60 pounds but when she was brought in to the vet clinic, the night of the seizure, she was only 37 pounds. She has battled Giardia, (an intestinal infection that causes weight loss and liquid diarrhea and is very contagious to other dogs and people *~*) - Thankfully none of us picked it up! She was never socialized as a pup so she is afraid of almost everyone, especially kids. She has never snapped, growled or bit and I've only heard her bark 3 times since we got her December 2010.
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| Gracie the night of the seizure. 37 pounds and an unknown age. December 1, 2010 |
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| The day we met! December 2, 2010 Gracie was so scared she wouldn't come near anyone. She just kept circling her kennel or curling in a ball trying to hide. |
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| March 8, 2011 Gracie is coming around. |
She has come a long way in these four months. She now weighs somewhere around 52 pounds and has a lovely shiny coat and bright eyes. She plays and romps with Hope but is still skittish around people. Every day she improves.
Initially she would hide in her kennel all day unless made to come out. Now, in the mornings, she willingly comes to greet me and has started to romp in the house with Hope, our retriever.She had never wagged her tail, except when playing with Hope and never with the excited enthusiasm that most dogs greet their people with. Yesterday, (April 18/11), I was going upstairs and both dogs were standing at the top looking down at me and both were wagging their tails! Not in frantic excitement but with a casual, relaxed greeting. To most people that means nothing, but to those who have been working with these dogs, it is monumental! She is socializing and including me in her life! It is an honour as she has every reason to mistrust people.
I have celebrated other seemingly insignificant moments like when she first laid down at my feet and sprawled out on her side - a true sign of rest and that she was feeling safe. Also, her initial inability to take "treats" from anyone - at Christmas time she was laying with her head on our treadmill and we placed chunks of turkey all around her muzzle and she didn't touch one piece. Now she will take bits of cheese and other morsels very delicately from my hand. Everyday she is stretching out of her fears and engaging more and more.
Today, April 25/11
Gracie was laying at my feet and rolled on her back to stretch, belly up. She must have forgotten her fear for a split second, I saw her roll and expose her belly and I was going to rub her tummy but as soon as I moved she must have caught herself because she instantly righted herself. It is a step forward in small increments.
Well, it seems in this last week (May 1, 2011),
Gracie has decided to come out of hiding. Up until know she has been very placid and scared. We have had a few events the last few days that tell me we may be in for an interesting ride. She has been afraid of people, especially children, since we got her. So I have limited my younger sons, (12 and 8), access to her and just allowed us all to co exist without hands-on by them. So the other day, for whatever reason, my 12 year old approached Gracie, who was laying at my feet, and decided to pet her. I was not prepared for Gracie's reaction... she leaped to her feet, bristling and barking ferociously. Rather intimidating really! My son backed off and I grabbed her collar and chastised her. She was obviously startled but her reaction was quite a surprise. She didn't attempt to bite and she didn't growl. We are unsure how to interpret this 'new' dog response. So instead of keeping the boys away I am actually choosing to move them closer to her where I can control her actions and reactions. The last few days she has been more "puppy" trouble too. Chewing on things she shouldn't and mouthing my hands and legs. She has decided to pee in the house too. So we are going to have some training ahead of us. I have officially started to train her, leash walking, "sit" command and making sure I'm watching her so she doesn't destroy things she shouldn't and limiting her access to everywhere in the house just as you would a puppy. The only difference is she is a "puppy" in a full grown German Shepherd body with full grown dog teeth. I'll keep you posted on our progress *!*
May, 10, 2011
Gracie had a slow start. Due to her neglect there are many normal dog things Gracie couldn't do or had never been allowed to do, here's my list.
Things Gracie can do:
Gracie can run :-)
Gracie makes eye contact
- comes out of her dog kennel willingly
- takes treats from Brian and I
- shake
- lay on her side, stretched out, to sleep
- eats as much as she wants
- swims
- is learning to 'sit'
- knows her name
- is learning to 'come'
- plays with toys
- romps and plays when happy
- tentatively licks my hand
- gets into trouble
Things Grace is still working on:
- wagging her tail
- being around the kids
- coming all the time, when called
- coming back in the house without having to be leashed
- walking on leash
- gaining weight
- not hiding out in her kennel, when the boys or home or strangers are around
May, 10, 2011
Gracie had a slow start. Due to her neglect there are many normal dog things Gracie couldn't do or had never been allowed to do, here's my list.
Things Gracie can do:
Gracie can run :-)
Gracie makes eye contact
- comes out of her dog kennel willingly
- takes treats from Brian and I
- shake
- lay on her side, stretched out, to sleep
- eats as much as she wants
- swims
- is learning to 'sit'
- knows her name
- is learning to 'come'
- plays with toys
- romps and plays when happy
- tentatively licks my hand
- gets into trouble
Things Grace is still working on:
- wagging her tail
- being around the kids
- coming all the time, when called
- coming back in the house without having to be leashed
- walking on leash
- gaining weight
- not hiding out in her kennel, when the boys or home or strangers are around
- enjoying her life
May 14, 2011
Gracie has started to show some signs of aggression. The other day, Ben came past me where Gracie was laying at my feet and reached out to pet her - his first mistake! He hasn't done much with her so it was a rather an unexpected move on his part. Gracie leaped to her feet and started barking and bristling. Ben retreated to the front room and closed the door then when he opened the door to come back she started again. He was making direct eye contact with her - his second mistake which inflamed the antagonism. Now she seems to be barking at both boys. We have had to buy a muzzle and we use it when she is out of her kennel so that there are no mishaps. It's a hard line to protect the kids but not have her feel 'punished'. This is the first time she has shown anything assertive or aggressive. We are watching and hoping she can trust and be trusted. Baby steps all the way and taking no chances!
