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03/26/07 -
The rewards of helping rescue dogs...
Whenever I'm asked to take a dog in for rehabilitation, I never know how
long that stay will be. Depending on the individual dog's temperament and
set of issues, and what my pack and I need to do to help; that visit could
be a few days or a few months. Not all of our troubles, whether human or
canine can be addressed and resolved overnight. Although many times we can
set a dog back on the right track with just a little clear direction; some
issues require time, patience and the help and influence of a balanced
family or pack.
Such was the case with Caesar: a young white deaf boxer in the care of
AABR since he had been seized in a cruelty case as a puppy in the summer
of 06. When AABR asked us to help Caesar, it was the start of a long three
month journey of discovery and learning for all of us, and one that would
leave us all with a greater sense of achievement, peace and happiness.
The early days with Caesar were filled with sleepless nights as he woke
at all hours, protesting loudly at us daring to ask him to sleep in a
crate, and days with not much rest due to his huge reserves of energy and
general lack of respect for anything in his path - whether dog, furniture
and yes, I was included in that also. As a fast maturing adolescent, nine
month old Caesar had made it this far with little help from anyone and saw
no reason to change: we had to give him one.
Having been beaten as a puppy, Caesar had fast learned that what you
want to keep away from you, you simply bite or dominate. It's a sink
or swim survival instinct and Caesar is one of life's swimmers.
He had no way of understanding that this behavior had got him pushed from
one place to another; only that it had helped him survive so far. Being a
deaf dog added an extra dimension: corrections from my dogs went ignored,
often because he didn't hear the warning growls which were all a part of
the pack trying to communicate with him.
When I needed to correct him, I had to move into his line of view or get
close enough to touch; it was hard work, the corrections frequent, the
demands enormous. There were temper tantrums and protests.
As the days turned into weeks, progress was slow; some days we went back
a step and had to start over. In the first two weeks, one dog in the pack
refused to acknowledge the arrival of this cocky young upstart. Ivor, a 7
year old dominant male boxer chose to calmly take the higher ground - any
attempt to initiate contact by Caesar was met with a simple raising and
turning of the head; a non confrontational gesture which was letting him
know that Ivor saw him as no threat; in fact not even worthy of a passing
glance. Such is the power and subtlety of the communication that goes on
in a pack.
Over time, as Caesar progressed, all of the dogs developed a relationship
with him, even the old man. Caesar and Ivor played, competed and once had
a difference of opinion, where the young guy had to learn that rules are
there to be followed.
Every individual had a role to play in Caesar's stay here, they did as
much work as I did to teach him about respect, trust and kindness.
Yesterday Caesar left our pack to join his own, with a deaf white female
boxer of his own age and a family dedicated to the needs of living with
such dogs.
As I reflect on our three month with Caesar, sitting in a quiet house
until the next guest arrives; I realized that Caesar taught us a lot too:
the need for calmness, the need for patience and empathy, to be
consistent, yet also to be flexible, and the absolute need to stick with
it, even in the most trying times.
We can only learn about dogs by living among them and having them share
our homes and lives with us and although there is something to learn from
each one, it's the tougher one's who teach us the most. Caesar has enabled
us to help other dogs like him, and for that we can only say - thanks boy,
enjoy your new life, you worked hard for it!
Love from
Kim & the pack at Follow My Lead
03/13/07 - We are
so happy with Caesar's progress that we wanted to share it with everyone.
As each day brings new challenges, this great boy is showing us that with
consistency and humans that he can count on, anything is achievable. Regular
exercise is important for this young guy whose every waking hour is filled
with interest and enthusiasm for everything going on around him. Caesar is
transforming into a very well mannered member of the family. Recently he
even attended an AABR dog behavior seminar and showed what a polite boy he
can be. This week presented him with a new challenge; a young pup called
Sonny joined the
pack and Caesar immediately took him under his paw, keeping him company in
the yard for bathroom duties and playing very nicely ( not too rough); at
the end of their game they can be found lying together, snoozing the
afternoon away: if you need to find them, just listen for the ZZZZZZZ's!
Caesar is enjoying life to the full; all that's missing is a home to call
his own.
As we said before, he is no different from a human kid with hearing
difficulties; he just needs patience, consistent direction and firm but calm
people in his life, as he is also a naturally strong willed boy.
Enjoy the new pics of Caesar having fun with his buddies!
02/15/07 -
Well
the nice family that were taking care of me had to let me go, so off I went
to stay in the Poconos where I've made friends with a whole new pack of dogs
and peoples. In case you haven't read my story; I'm Caesar, though my
friends also call me Snowy or Chalkie - which I don't much mind because you
see - I'm deaf. I was born this way so the world has always been a silent
place for me and I need extra help learning, just like one of your deaf
human kids. I love all dogs that I meet and can play harder than any pup my
foster parents can remember in a long time, so they tell me that I'd do well
in a home with younger dogs who also enjoy lots of rough and tumble as I
could be seen by older dogs as a young rambunctious pest. = )
Because I spent time in kennels and my early life wasn't so good, I have
been a little backward learning, but I have worked very hard in my foster
home and although I can easily be distracted I do try hard to please when I
understand what's being asked of me. I am a very confident boy, I love life
and I need humans who can help me by continuing the work that I have already
done. Because I am deaf I would like to live with people who can be very
patient and not get angry with me if I don't get it the first time- as I
said, I do try hard when I understand. I need calm but firm direction and
it has to be consistent please.
I sleep in a crate at night or when I have to be left for a while as I'm
still learning about what can go in a pup's mouth and what cannot. I didn't
care for this at first but I get special treats like my Kong filled with
yummy things and my teddy comes too, so it's really not so bad - and I get
to stay safe and snooze, ready for the next round of play.
Like all healthy young Boxer pups, I have tons of energy and love to be
on the go most of the day; I only take short naps now so I really do need a
home where my people love the outdoor life too, walking hiking and lots of
play with toys - ohh did I tell you how much I love toys and I have learned
to bring them back to the people and sit, which makes them smile a lot and I
get a kiss or sometimes a cookie. I also sit very nicely for my meals and
treats.
A home with a fenced yard is important for my safety as I would like to
play outside in between my walks. I'll even play in the snow with you: now
you see me, now you don't :o)
If you think you could be my people and give me the life that I know I
deserve, then please get in touch; I know that I can be extra work, but when
we snuggle up at the end of a day of fun together, I'll look at you and
you'll know that I am thankful and happy to be in my own home at last.
Caesar x x x
11/18/06 -
Caesar is now ready for his forever home. Early on we were
inundated with interested parties, probably based mostly on his exceedingly
good looks and his early write ups as an adorable little puppy. He is still
an adorable older pup, and thanks to some great work with his foster mom and
advice form our trainer, Caesar can move on to an adoptive home that will
continue to enforce what he has learned.
We are looking for a
quite home with another dog, maybe older children, and someone who can
follow through with what Tracee has done.
If you feel you are up
to the job... Please contact
sandy@adoptaboxerrescue.com
.
We are trying to go thru past
emails expressing interest in Caesar, but if you sent one and are still
interested, please send a new one reminding us. Thanks!
10/08/06 - Update
Caesar has had a rough few
weeks, but is doing well now. He was moved from the kennel, into a foster
home, and then into an adoptive home. Caesar started to develop behaviors
that were probably more related to him being a young pup rather than to his
deafness. He tested the waters, and when he gained ground, he quickly
learned who was boss... Caesar was! He came back to us and put his new
lessons to practice right away, making himself unwelcome in two foster
homes.
Tracee drove to pick Caesar up, and hold Caesar overnight, before he would
have to go back to the kennel. Here's where Caesar got lucky... The first
night went well so Caesar got to stay. Tracee was armed with the knowledge
of his past antics. She moved slowly and with resolve, implementing basic
training and fostering techniques. Caesar spent some down time in a crate,
and joined the family a little at a time. Things continued to go well as we
waited for the evil twin to appear. We got great advice from, and an offer
to have Caesar work with dog trainer Kim Barnett at her home in PA.
Basically Kim's method reaffirms the "Nothing
in Life is Free"
plan that AABR advocates. Kim calls it the "everything by invitation,
nothing by demand" rule.
Again, Tracee moved slowly, and kept Caesar and Maui, her female boxer,
basically apart for 4 days. Little interaction... We were arranging
transport to Kim's home, when it became apparent that Caesar was doing so
well with Kim's and Tracee's guidance, that he could stay with Tracee until
we find him a forever home. Caesar was learning to be a gentleman again, and
that he did not have to be, nor could be, in charge.
Now granted we know that Caesar has the propensity to learn quickly and try
to take charge if given the chance. All dogs do. But more importantly we
know that he can learn very quickly that someone else is in charge, and he
is quite willing to give up that job if it is already taken.
Caesar and Maui have played very nicely together, Caesar and Maui eat on
separate sides of the kitchen without any food aggression issues, and Caesar
has been well behaved with Tracee's family, which includes her boxer savvy
12 yr old daughter.
We are looking for a
quite home with another dog, maybe older children, and someone who can
follow through with what Tracee has done.
If you feel you are up
to the job... Please contact
sandy@adoptaboxerrescue.com
09/01/06 -
I had
the pleasure of meeting Caesar the day he was dropped off at the kennel as I
accompanied a friend to pick up their foster dog. Caesar was so adorable,
friendly, and full of wiggles and energy. Upon hearing he was abused and
deaf, we knew we had to help him. This little masked bandit stole our hearts
right away. With regret and tears, our time with this little guy was short.
He didn’t understand the crate and was scared of it. I’m sure he would have
adjusted well in time, but our living in an apartment building didn’t afford
us that luxury.
Though deaf, Caesar is a very bright dog who started to understand hand
commands the first night. He treasures his treats, so training will be a
snap. He always wanted to be with us, following from room to room and when
we stopped moving, he loved to lay down with his head on our feet. After a
few walks, he felt comfortable on a leash and was always eager to go out for
a walk. In fact, sometimes during the walks he would stop and hug your leg
with his two front paws as if to say “Don’t leave me!” He got along great
with our female boxer – they even shared a rawhide chew and took a nap
together. On the drive back to the kennel, he laid his head on the center
console and gave me the cutest puppy look. And every so often, he would inch
closer to me, until his head was on my lap and he would sleep. If you have
the heart and time to put in some training with this great dog, he will no
doubt be your best friend.
8/19/06 -
This is Caesar! What a great forgiving puppy. You see, he was seized from
an abusive family where the kids in the family beat him with sticks until
finally he was taken away from the evil humans. He was taken to a shelter
where 97% of the dogs that go in the front door never come out but leave by
the back door in black plastic bags. The animal control officer fell in love
with this pup and called rescue to please take him.
One would think he would not like humans and especially kids but he is
totally forgiving. When he sees kids or any person for that matter he turns
in to a wiggling little sweetheart. He wiggles so hard when he sees a leash!
He is a high energy puppy who wants to run and play until he can run no
more.
He needs to gain several pounds and will fill out beautifully. This
little lovebug is very affectionate and cuddly. He will need training and
someone patient since he is totally deaf.
Please only forever committed homes apply. He is in need of hero.
Will you be his HERO?
 Learn
about raising a deaf puppy...
Rudy's
Journal Special Needs in a Small Package |
