George’s Story…
Certain things take time, homing a rescue is not an overnight settle and in the case of a Dachshund like George, it took a few weeks.
George was suffering from Separation Anxiety and stress brought on by the rocky road he had been traveling prior to surrender, this was exacerbated by a string of trials where he was given very minimal time to even know his way around the garden, this leading George to temporary foster care.
When I picked George up, I could see in his eye he knew he was on the move again, he was quiet for the ride home and very reserved until he was introduced to my fur family of Dachshunds. As always introductions to others is a task in its self, but after an hour walk things started to simmer down between them all.
George slept in his crate without a peep that evening.
Day one, George didn’t leave my side and had a panic attack if I moved rooms to fast, he paced and panted all day, we had many accidents in the house and was not eating other than from my hand. This behaviour continued for day 2 and 3 with the added issue of being unsettled through the night.
Day four was time to set a few boundaries, George had tried flexing his muscles for top dog position and was now eating extremely well. It was time for him to realise that I sometimes leave the house.
I started closing doors on him and putting gates between us up for short periods of time, shutting him with the other dogs in the garden again for short lengths, this was developed into short trips to the shops without him.
Over the following week, George had a few tantrums, we lost a dog bed, a cushion, a fly screen along the way but each day he settled quicker and quicker until we had no more tantrums or crying, this coincided with George getting to know the daily routine and much better walking behaviour.
It took George about 2 weeks to learn and it took me about the same to know George.
I have learnt among things that if the blanket comes off his head in the night it’s my job to replace it, that he likes to lie top to tail on the couch and prefers grass walks to the beach.
George met his new adopter and forever home today, It was extremely hard saying goodbye to this big boy who I had just got to know. I can’t wait to hear his progress and how he settles with his new Dachshund friends.
With Georges anxiety his new family are fully prepared to loose a cushion or two to and allow whatever time it takes for George to feel at home.