I'm in need of a foster for a dog I adopted a week ago at the Humane
Society (HS). What the HS described as "shy," is actually the passive,
subdued behavior of a dog with a history of abuse. I did some checking
into the shelter in Mississippi (MS) that transferred the dog to Golden
Valley Humane Society. They, in turn, put me in touch with a woman who'd
fostered the dog - Faith - and could give me lots of information on Faith's
history.
Essentially, Faith was picked up as a stray. She'd been on the streets of a
town near Laurel, MS, reportedly for two years. During that time, she was
routinely tormented by kids who'd chase and throw rocks at her.
When the local animal rescue took Faith in, she was covered in cuts and had
both heartworm and hookworm. She's still being treated for heartworm now,
but will end that medication and need for relative confinement around June
10.
Despite the dog's history, she's amazingly trustful and well-behaved - no
barking, chewing or aggressive behavior (not even food aggression);
housebroken, and reasonably good on leash even without obedience training
or a treat-motivated personality. She is fearful of sudden movement and
loud noises. The MS foster said that her 13-year-old son, try as he might,
could never gain Faith's trust - though Faith had no problem lying next to
my gentle, quiet, nine-year-old granddaughter for a time.
It's clear from the MS foster and my observations that Faith will do best
in a home with someone who understands how to coach her out of
post-traumatic behavior. - something a novice to dog-ownership, like me,
with a very full-time job can't provide. The foster in MS also mentioned
that Faith did well with her other dogs, as long as they didn't have too
dominant a personality. I, too, have seen how she gravitates and interacts
well with other dogs while on leash. Therefore, I think a home in which
Faith would have the company of another, grounded, trained dog would be
ideal in her return from a traumatic past.
If anyone knows of any foster homes that fit this description and could
assist her toward long-term placement, please let me know. Faith is a
48-pound, spayed, Deer Hound, approximately 4 years old, up-to-date on her
vaccines. Photos are attached.
I've already learned that area dog rescues have waiting lists for their
foster homes. Though reluctant to return her to the Humane Society, that's
also a path I'm exploring, especially before Faith becomes too bonded with
me.
Please email me directly with suggestions: <email obscured>
Thanks for your consideration,
Karen