Fear ... theirs and ours

Chester is a fearful dog. There's no question in that statement. It's true.

But, his fears, and those of other rescue dogs like him aren't the only stumbling blocks in the healing process. We hold them back with our own fears. It's easy to pity a helpless animal who has been abused in any way; starved or neglected, maybe beaten. And sometimes it's difficult to determine if what we feel is pity or love. One of those has the power to heal, the other could drag us all down. Sometimes it's difficult to determine which emotion we have at the time. Do we simply feel sorry for the animal? Or, do we see potential in him and believe that we have the patience and desire to help him heal? Does love factor into the equation at all? Will Chester's progress depend on the emotions I have for him? The short answer to all these questions is "yes".

I'm beginning to realize that many of the improvements Chester has made stem from our ability to believe in his success. If I'm persistent and push him to do a task that I know will help him heal, he seems to oblige. He rises to the expectations I have for him. It wasn't easy, on Chester or me, to physically drag him down the hall to another room or outside to potty. On the other hand, if I was hesitant and let "my" fears dominate the situation, he would surely have failed. If I had left him under a table in the basement he'd probably still be there. 

Chester improves a tiny bit every day. He doesn't balk or pull away when I leash him and walk throughout the house. He will follow me, or sometimes lead, just about anywhere within the walls on our home. Going to the back yard is easy and not a fearful thing any more. Walking out the front door isn't as great but we haven't done it as much lately as we should. That's me holding him back because I wanted to give him some normalcy after our traumatic road trip. I thought he might need some time in a comfortable, controlled environment to get over the stress of the long road trip. If Chester could speak, he'd probably tell me to "get over it" and "let's go back to the parks and take long walks again". Yes, the road trip was traumatic, but likely as much or more for me than the dogs. I felt so badly that the dogs were scared and I was embarrassed that a family member was so nasty to them. I wanted the trip to be a good thing for Chester. I never dreamed the outcome would be so different.

Hurdles attempted and achieved include:
1 - Walking throughout the house and outside to back yard on a leash
2 - Doesn't always flinch or jump at most common noises
3 - Smiling
4 - Wagging tail, a few times
5 - Rarely walks with tail between legs, sometimes though
6 - Playing with toys, loves soft toys but still no balls or ropes
7 - Drinking from the "community" water bowl
8 - Eating or drinking from a standing position, occasionally
9 - Looking "at" you when you speak to him, more each day
10 - Rising to meet your hand when petting, sometimes
11 - Playing with adopted sister Casey, several times
12 - Taking walks outside, still must have Casey along and still fearful and anxious
13 - Allowing others to pet him, in a quiet corner of his own home (even children)
14 - Not always underneath a table or chair, most times spent in corners
15 - Eating treats from our hands, will stand or approach to get them sometimes
16 - Approaches me when I've been out of the room awhile, wants acknowledgement
17 - Bath, enjoys it
18 - Personal grooming, he does this regularly
19 - Brushing and combing, he likes us to do this now, before he allowed it
20 - Gained approximately 10 pounds
21 - Enjoys being petted, originally he only tolerated it
22 - Stands and approaches for treats
23 - Loves getting "in" the car and taking rides (this wasn't new to our home situation)

Not a bad list for two months in a new home with new people and another dog. Chester has a long way to go but we won't hold him back. He will progress at his own pace, but with our encouragement ... and sometimes at our insistence.

Bath time

This morning I braved the unknown. Figured if Chester can handle doing this numerous times each day, it's the least I could do for him.

He smells. "Nothing personal Chester, but you've had a faint, unpleasant odor about you since the day we first met." It's been over two months, but today I summoned the courage to attempt giving him a bath.

Taking into consideration all of Chester's known phobias and the possibility of injury in a slippery bathtub or on the ceramic tile floor, I prepared the room. I cleared the hall bathroom of good towels, bathmats, waste basket and vanity decorations. I gathered several old large bath towels, a bucket and sponge and a rubber dog scrubbing brush. Then I filled the tub with lukewarm water, about four inches deep, and grabbed the nicest smelling dog shampoo I could find.

Before I began, I told Glenn to ignore any strange noises coming from the bathroom until I gave him the "all clear". I didn't need him opening the door, thinking he was saving me from some unknown danger. We don't need a scared, wet and soapy dog loose in the house.

Chester walked politely with me while I held his collar leading him to the bathroom. I was holding hope that since he enjoyed the ocean with his foster family, that the water itself might not send him into a frenzy. Given his fear of everything else, who could have guessed what happened next?

He liked it!! Chester stood on a bath towel in front of the tub and patiently let me soak him with water from the large sponge. When I was confident that he wouldn't scramble and hurt himself, I lifted his front feet into the bathtub and followed with the back legs. He stretched out and enjoyed the massage with the dog scrubber. He let me wash him all over and he stayed in the same place while I rinsed him completely. It was easy getting Chester back out of the tub and he sat still while I towel dried him. Then he shook. My otherwise fearful dog even stood and let me clean out his ears.

Bath time with Chester might some day resemble the days when our daughter was a toddler. She enjoyed baths or showers so much that the mere mention of "bath time" brought about a predictable response. She headed that direction, removing clothes and dropping them in a path all the way to the bathroom. Our granddaughter's reaction was much the same.

Now we know one more item on Chester's list of "likes" versus "dislikes". He's another family member who enjoys a good bath.

Touch

Most of Chester's fearful behaviors are textbook. We anticipated and expected many of the traits he exhibits. Other reactions weren't initially obvious to us, like his lack of desire for personal grooming. He was part of our family for quite awhile before we ever saw him so much as lick a foot. I know the lack of personal hygiene is a symptom of depression or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people, but never thought about it related to abused dogs.

One of the most pitiful revelations I had with Chester was that he didn't seek attention. He wasn't interested in being petted. Sure, he would let us pet him on the head or back, but most times it seemed that he was just being polite. It truly wasn't something he craved. Actually I'm not certain he even enjoyed it. Most of the time he would drop his head away from the touch. At the same time he very deliberately looked away from the person touching him. Chester's preference was to be alone in a safe location where he could watch us without having to interact.

Golden Retrievers generally thrive on attention. Praise in any form is not only appreciated, but craved or expected by these loving creatures. Our other Golden, Casey, physically pushes her way under your hand or arm when she thinks it's time for more loving. She knows that everyone loves her and simply wants to assist people in touching her to prove it ... that's her version.

Chester still doesn't approach us to be petted, with one exception. If I leave him for awhile with Glenn and Casey, he stands and walks towards me to be petted when I return. He wants a quick pat on the head, just a fast acknowledgement either that I'm back or to let me know that he's happy to have me back in the same room.

Recently Chester's attitude is starting to change regarding touch. I'm sure he's not wholly changed yet, but it's a start. When we pet him, he raises his head to meet our hand. He loves to be brushed or combed and sits quietly while we work on his hair coat. Some of Chester's actions are becoming more normal for a five-year old dog. He likes us to touch him and sometimes he even looks directly at us when we do.

Enjoying touch and making eye contact might not be like claiming the national dog show blue ribbon, but for Chester it's a definite win.

Names ... revisited

November 27, 2012

Okay, naming pets should be a basic task of any pet owner. It's not like we're naming our first born, or at least it shouldn't be that difficult. One-word names that distinguish them from other pets, or names that highlight their color or a personal trait should suffice. Most of our pets were given names that were easy to say and presumably easier for the animal to learn. We shouldn't have to consult with grandparents, aunts and uncles to make sure the name fits properly into their genealogy.

Chester, on the other hand, was given his random name by someone at Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon. His foster family actually called him by another name, but it doesn't matter because he doesn't "answer" to any name. We call him Chester but he rarely even responds, blinks or turns his head when called by any number of names. Actually he doesn't even turn his head to look at you when you make kissing sounds or little whistling noises. We know he's not deaf, but he is very much adept at ignoring people and things around him, if he chooses. I'm sure that was learned behavior out of necessity for survival. Was he beaten when he responded? Was food withheld when he didn't respond? Did he live in a home where people screamed at each other all the time so he learned to tune out voices? Most of the time he's aware of too much, particularly when he's not in what he deems a "safe" location. 

Lately I've been experimenting with him on names and sounds. The only name that seems to even slightly get his attention is "Baby". I'm sure that wasn't his original name, but no doubt there are people who've called him by that nickname.

We don't know how many homes Chester was in or how many people considered him "their" dog. Since he was rescued from a puppy mill, we can assume he was there at least throughout most of his adult life because he was used for breeding. I've mentioned this before but I think he might have had at least some field training, or maybe he spent some time in a rural area as a puppy. As uncomfortable as Chester is in most situations, he seems at home on a leash in an open field. This is an anomaly because his comfort zone is generally small spaces where escape would be easy but where his back is always protected. Glenn and I have each noticed his change in attitude when he's out in a field or large dog park, as long as there aren't other people or dogs around. He's still fearful but definitely more relaxed than walking in the neighborhoods.

Maybe his name was Hunter, Remington, Buckshot, Scout or Sport. I doubt it, but it bothers me that he thinks we don't know who he is. I wish we knew what name he prefers. How would you feel if everyone called you by a strange and unfamiliar name? Hopefully he doesn't think we're just stupid for not knowing his name. Maybe he believes it's just a nickname we like. I will keep trying names and when he smiles at me in recognition, I'll know the truth. In the meantime, he's Chester, our "Baby".

My toys

November 26, 2012

Toys … We use them to teach our children about colors and shapes. We also include them in lessons about sharing with others. If they are for babies or infants, they are typically made of hard plastic or at least they have washable surfaces.

Dog toys are another thing. If you have ever had a large dog, you know that toys get trashed pretty easily and sometimes the same day you present it to the dog. The dog may begin playing with a stuffed animal and you think it’s cute to watch them cuddle it as if it’s their baby. Over time the dog gets bored and starts using the toy as a bone … at least Casey does. She has dozens of stuffed animals, squeaky toys that have been unstuffed with fluff balls left all over the house. She likes holding a soft toy between her front feet and ripping at the other end with her teeth to shred it.

Well, Chester didn’t have the privileged life that Casey has enjoyed (or taken for granted). We don’t know for sure, but the only toy we know of that he ever had was a stuffed duck that he loved while at his foster home. Since we first met Chester at a neutral location, we weren’t able to take his favorite toy with us to his permanent home. At the time we thought it sad that he didn’t have something to call his own, but then we decided that a clean start was probably a good thing. We’d buy him his own things.

At first Chester didn’t seem interested in toys, or anything else. He wouldn’t pick up a tennis ball (Casey’s favorite thing to toss around and chase). He has never had a rope in his mouth that we know of. He’s not big on bones either but I think his gums get sore easily because he hasn’t done much chewing like that. Stuffed animals, on the other hand, do seem to be Chester’s “thing”.

People say that Golden Retrievers have “soft mouths”. They have been known to carry up to 3 raw eggs in their mouth at a time without breaking any of them. They love to carry stuffed animals around, especially if they have squeakers inside. Originally these dogs were bred to “retrieve” birds from the hunt. It wouldn’t bode well with their owner if they bit through the bird or tore it into pieces before returning it to the hunter.

Chester LOVES toys!! His favorite is the stuffed duck we bought to replace the one he enjoyed at his foster home. Since then he has become a toy collector and a toy thief. He has turned his dog bed area, next to my bed, into a haven for lost and damaged toys. Casey’s former toys that were put away in boxes or lying around the house, yard or garage; end up in his stash, sooner or later. This morning I noticed a few I hadn’t seen there before, tucked neatly at the edge of his bed, out of sight, just under my bed. He has certain locations for each toy. They don’t seem to ever be out of place and when Casey approaches the room, he makes sure ALL the toys are behind him or hidden where she won’t take them back. Chester usually greets his sister Casey with the favorite duck in his mouth. He doesn’t want her to get the wrong idea and unstuff or shred his best friend.

Does Chester have a dog version of obsessive compulsive disorder? I think he probably has many disorders, perhaps including OCD, given the traumas in his former life. What I know is that Chester uses his toys, and those rescued from Casey, as additions to his own little family. They are a comfort to him … and that’s a good thing.

Recent photos

It's the eyes

November 25, 2012

Here's the next installment of "Chester's Tales". It's an unusually long one, but I hope you enjoy it.

Improvements in Chester’s daily life have been subtle. There were no misgivings that one day he’d wake up and be “cured” of the years of abuse and neglect he suffered. When you live so close to a person or animal, you tend to miss obvious signs of change. Thankfully this morning I didn’t miss the most precious moment yet. It gave me the inspiration to write this chapter.

Chester hasn’t behaved like a dog since we adopted him. I mean he hasn’t acted like any dog we’ve ever known. During the first month in our home his behavior was more like that of a stuffed animal, no whining or barking, not a peep. Put him in a corner and he stayed there. When you wanted him to go outside, you physically took him there. Originally that meant physically pulling on a leash attached to his harness, or physically lifting him up. Chester weighed only 55 pounds when we brought him home, but the muscles in my legs, shoulders and arms got quite a workout. Since Chester and I spent most of our time upstairs, that meant moving him down a long hallway, around a corner, down the stairs, across the family room to the sliding door to the back yard. Corners are bad too because the apprehension was obvious whenever we approached one. At night time the lights had to be on in advance of any movement. Closing doors behind us as we walked would startle him into “freeze mode”. Sometimes just hearing the furnace kick on was enough to stall our forward progress for a minute.

His eyes were probably the most telling, almost lifeless, empty. Chester never really looked “at” you. Even when I sat down on his level and looked directly into his eyes, all I saw was a far away look of sadness. He avoids looking directly at anyone for any reason. Chester’s hair coat was thin, dry and dull and he had rolls of extra, loose skin. At some time in his previous life, this dog had been much heavier. He’s as long bodied as Casey although Chester is taller and has finer bones. Her healthy weight is about 90 pounds. If it was meal time, you placed a food bowl directly in front of him and he put his head into the bowl. That usually meant reaching under a table or chair because that’s where he spent much of his day. Making sure he had enough to drink also involved physically bringing the water bowl to him and placing it within his reach. He had no intention of walking to it, at least not when people were in the vicinity. Also, Chester never ate or drank from a standing position. He was always prone with front feet on either side of the bowl, head literally in the bowl, protecting the contents from others.

Sleeping arrangements were originally in a kennel placed in my room, the kennel door always open, where we put a soft dog bed and a few toys. Chester never picked up a toy, but he occasionally snuggled next to the larger soft Clifford-type dog I bought for him. The kennel was his safe haven. When startled by the smallest noise or quick movement, he scampered back inside the kennel. Unless you’ve owned a fearful animal, you might not realize how extreme this can be. A small noise could be a slight cough, blowing your nose, shoes walking on hardwood floors, the closing of a cabinet or drawer. Simply picking up the TV remote generally caused him to relocate for awhile. If he didn’t physically run away from the noise, he noticeably flinched or ducked into a smaller space to hide.

Taking walks with Chester was a struggle for us all. Originally he didn’t seem to enjoy leaving the house at all, always looking side to side and frantic at the certain danger lurking somewhere. At the suggestion of his foster family, we double-hooked his leash to collar and harness. Good idea because as fearful as this dog was, nobody ever said he was stupid. He knew how to back up and pull out of his collar or harness, lowering his head and scrunching his shoulders to inch out. My leg and arm muscles got more workouts every time we left the house. Chester wouldn’t go anywhere outside of the house or our back yard without Casey. She had to lead the way and even then it was a physical battle pulling his leash to get him started. Once walking alongside Casey, he was okay but always fearful. Seeing another dog on a leash or anybody simply walking on the other side of the street would send Chester into a tailspin, literally spinning in place seeking the best way to escape. He tried to run under vehicles, or jump into truck beds or into thick underbrush, anywhere he might be safe.

Chester isn’t the same dog we adopted in late September. He is making slow progress, at times actually seems to enjoy his life. He knows he will eat healthy meals regularly a few times a day with treats and people food occasionally in between. He still hides under tables, at times, but spends most of his time in corners and always with his back to a wall. His sleeping place of choice is on the dog bed in a corner beside my bed. He doesn’t seem to miss the kennel. Toys are strategically placed where he wants them as if they’re special companions. He sometimes picks a few favorites up to take with him when he moves from one room to another. He has never picked up a ball or rope, although he watches Casey play with hers. He’s not a retriever yet. Chester sometimes enjoys “stealing” toys from Casey. They have this game where one picks up a toy and runs; when they drop it, the other dog grabs it. They aren’t actually playing together yet. Chester occasionally runs when Casey does, but they’re not really interacting, he’s in another area simply mimicking her from his own space. She has been a good influence on him and she acts like the typical big sister even though he’s about three or four years older than her. He watches intently how she interacts with us, from the safety of his corners, of course. Chester ends up with most of the toys at the end of the game because Casey doesn’t seem to care about them for long. They are, for the most part, her “old” toys, nothing new for her to have “things”.

Some of the biggest gains in Chester’s battle to become a dog aren’t the obvious ones like having a shiny hair coat or having gained weight. I don’t know how much he weighs for sure because I won’t stress him out needlessly by taking him to a veterinary clinic to put him on the scale. He still doesn’t like getting out of the car anywhere, not even at home. My best guess is that he’s put about 10 pounds on since we adopted him a few months ago. There are still a few bony areas but mostly he has filled out nicely. He doesn’t waste time when eating or going potty. Once the food dish is in front of him, he eats. When he’s taken to the back yard, he goes potty and returns immediately to the back door to come inside.

Yes, Chester is learning to become a Golden Retriever but we knew that would happen in time. He patiently sits or stands to be leashed for walks anywhere in the house or to the back yard. No more balking at those moves, although he may turn around and return back to the original room when the leash is removed. Sometimes he follows us to another room or the basement on his own. Whenever I’ve been out of the room, even for a few minutes and then reenter, he makes this quiet whistle sound as he gets up to approach me, to be petted. Most of the time he stands while drinking from the water dish, but old habits die hard as he still prefers to eat and drink from a prone position.

Thankfully I didn’t miss the subtlety of what happened this morning. He was lying on his dog bed, watching television. I came into the room, around the corner and walked up to pet him (like I do dozens of times a day). He looked up at me … right into my eyes. His eyes said “I love you, you care for me and I appreciate it.” They weren’t the dead, unfocused eyes we’ve seen for months; they weren’t those far-away sad eyes with their tales of abuse. His eyes were bright and shining and full of love and understanding.

Photo: Chester on the left, his adopted sister Casey is upside-down and silly on the right.

Travel regrets

November 22, 2012. Chester's Tales ... Thanksgiving

We are so very thankful to have each other ... in our own home ... with our two precious dogs.

Rehabilitation, that’s the word used most often when referring to the needs of these dogs, the “rescue dogs”. According to Thesaurus, English, U.S., it is treatment, therapy, healing, remedy, cure, analysis, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, physiotherapy. The Encarta Dict

ionary, English, North America cites the definition as being: (1) help somebody return to normal life (2) restore somebody to rank or rights (3) restore somebody’s reputation (4) restore place to good condition.

Chester’s situation requires a better definition, or maybe an entirely different word to describe his needs. We don’t want him to return to anything pertaining to his previous life. We would, although, love to restore his rights as a sweet, gentle and loving animal in this world. His reputation should never have been tarnished, just that of his previous owner, the abusive person who turned him into a fearful shell of a dog.

Well … relating to Chester I am not sure we’ve done such a great job recently. Our intentions were good and we will do our best to remedy the situation as soon as possible. In six days we managed to see weeks of improvement disappear and in some respects Chester has regressed. He’s still a very fragile being. We’ve been so careful to properly manage his care; it breaks my heart to see him take steps backwards.

Just over a month into our permanent adoption of Chester, we had the opportunity to snowbird to warmer weather. For part of the time we’d be sharing a home with a family member, not the property owner. We would be out of the Pacific Northwest winter wind and rain and the muddy back yard, at least through the holidays. There would also be a larger yard for the dogs to enjoy. The opportunity wasn’t taken lightly because it involved closing our home up for the rest of the year. There was significant expense involved making the trip, but we decided to try it. Since our home is for sale, it also included heavy cleaning, boxing up and securing personal items. I even did more “staging” of the house that included removing any clutter, personal photos, extra items on the kitchen counters, etc. Arrangements were made for utility billings to be made online, a friend was hired to check on the house and forward some mail. Arrangements for prescription medications and medical follow-ups were handled. I also took the opportunity to paint a few rooms before we left. Figured that since we would be gone, the house might as well look more like a model home than one occupied by two people and two dogs.

Chester and Casey travel well. They each enjoy rides in the car or truck. Typically they sleep in the back seat when the vehicle is at freeway speeds and pop up to look around when we slow down as if they might recognize our location. In Casey’s case she looks into other vehicles at stoplights to smile and say “hi” to the occupants, assured that they’ll smile back or speak to her. She loves everyone and even when sitting she sometimes can’t keep her tail from wagging. Casey knows that people love her in return … typical Golden Retriever. Chester’s travel behavior is somewhat more relaxed. He simply enjoys being with us, particularly in a smaller and controlled location.

Our destination was over 700 miles away and would involve many hours in the vehicles, stops at unknown areas for water and potty breaks and an overnight at a hotel. We’ve never taken a road trip with dogs before and certainly not this much of a trek. Chester was terribly fearful any time we stopped to get out of the vehicles. Even at home we have to physically remove him from the back seat of the vehicle. He jumps into a vehicle willingly and loves to ride but hates to get back out. He might see strange people or animals that scare him. Chester is fearful of sights and sounds, but also of the unknown. The dogs handled the trip as well or better than we could have anticipated. They were model occupants at the hotel. Casey slept on the bed with Glenn. Chester, much to my surprise, climbed onto the other bed with me. Although he sleeps in a bedroom with one or both of us, he has never slept on the bed at home.

The first several weeks of our stay were fairly uneventful. Chester found hiding places, behind a sofa, under a table saw in the garage, under a patio chair. He seemed to be acclimating well to the new yard even in a neighborhood where other dogs bark a lot. At home we rarely hear another dog, although there are plenty of them in our little area. Casey and Chester spent a good part of their days in the garage with Glenn while he worked on projects. They had access, through a walk out door, to the back yard. From there they could drink from their water bowl or run and play or go potty whenever they needed. Chester seemed to enjoy stretching his legs in the larger yard. He was making improvements, romping in the yard with Casey and then jogging back to his safe place numerous times each day.

The last 6 days of our trip was another story. We were not aware that the other occupant of the house is an animal hater, especially dogs … not afraid of dogs, just hates them. Chester hid all day and night in one room when he wasn’t in the garage with Glenn. Casey wasn’t allowed to approach to be petted and was yelled at when she came into the same room. It was obvious that I wasn’t going to be able to continue Chester’s therapy and healing when he confined himself to a bedroom. We returned home.

On our return trip the dogs were again model passengers. They were well behaved at a hotel, no barking and no accidents. They slept on the floor by our beds. The next day was a 9-hour travel day, including pet stops, and they were each perfectly behaved.

Since we’ve been home Chester’s behavior has changed again. If we walk into the room where he is, he moves to another room. He doesn’t hide as much under tables, but he still prefers corners or protected areas. We removed his kennel/bed before we left on the trip and haven’t reintroduced it because he’s fine sleeping wherever Casey sleeps.

Rehabilitation … begins again slowly. The important thing is that it will continue in a safe, happy and loving environment … his home.

Not much new

October 28, 2012

Chester - it's not all roses and smiles. He spends time in places like this (in the garage, under a table saw stand) throughout the day. He's perfectly comfortable under things or in corners, watching what happens around him. There are times when he's brave and stays out in the open, but more often than not, this is the type of location he prefers. Just another day in the life of a rescue dog.

Casey's story ... her place in Chester's life

October 25, 2012

I've had numerous requests for another segment of Chester's Tales. Here's a double dose ... hope you enjoy.

Chester – Day 32

Togetherness is a good and special thing. In our relationships we all search for this

 feeling of belonging. Most often it’s a sense of peace in finding another person who enjoys our company or someone who likes doing the same things. It’s being close to someone we trust and appreciate.

Summer 2011 and I was running errands in town. When I left the grocery store I noticed a cardboard sign: “Golden Retriever puppies for sale”. Glenn and I had talked, at length, about getting a Golden someday, but not until we sold our home and bought another with a much larger yard. I wasn’t looking for a dog yet, actually hadn’t thought about a puppy either. I jotted down the phone number from the sign and put it away. That afternoon when I was done with the errands, I called to inquire about the pups, although I had no intention of getting one, I was curious. The lady on the phone was very friendly and said that she’d have the 4-week-old puppies out in the yard since other people were coming to look at them as well. I agreed to stop by and take a look.

I held a few pups, got my puppy “fix” and was about to leave when the lady asked if I wanted a male or female. I said that if we got one I’d prefer a female. She counted the pups in the outdoor pen and said, “Oh, there’s another one in their den, I’ll go get her.” They had a neat area set up in the garage with 2-foot plywood walls for the mother dog and her pups. It consisted of a large main room and a few smaller rooms with pathways only large enough for the puppies to walk through. Clean straw was placed in the small rooms that the puppies used as their bathroom area. The largest area held blankets and toys and an area for nursing. The walls were tall enough where the puppies couldn’t get out but momma dog could jump in and out as needed to feed and care for her babies. It was obvious the dogs in this household were loved and treated as revered members of the family.

When I held Casey she stole me heart. She licked my face and cuddled under my chin. When I put her down on the lawn she started showing off. Before I left, I placed a large deposit on our new puppy. When I returned home, I told Glenn “you’ll never guess what I did today.” In the meantime I had done a lot of research and planning. It had been awhile since we had a dog and I wanted to do everything right. We purchased a kennel for her bed and training. We had all the usual puppy toys, food, treats, leashes and other necessities. I’d spoken to a local veterinarian and checked into puppy obedience training.

She would be MY dog … one I could train and spend time with, my jogging buddy and a cuddly friend to sit by me on my bed while I read or listened to music. I was thrilled that I’d done it the right way and she was going to be my special companion. Several weeks later I brought her home. The very next day, our world changed.

While working in his garage/shop Glenn was knocked off a ladder and crushed by a large stack of lumber from an upper shelf. From inside the house it sounded like a large truck had gone through the garage door and into the house. At first I couldn’t find Glenn in the pile of rubble and when he didn’t answer my calls I feared that he was dead. Several lacerations on his arms and a headache from hitting the floor were the least of it. The lumber had split Glenn’s sternum and broke it in several places. His full recovery took about 9 months. Every day Casey was by his side. How could she know that I chose her to be my friend and companion? She thought we brought her home to protect and care for Glenn. She holds up her end of the bargain every day.

Glenn is retired, but he’s always busy. He enjoys working in the small yards with all kinds of plants. Our yard is a showplace of flowers, shrubs and young trees. He always has a small area for growing some berries and tomatoes. The back yard is fenced so Casey can play with her toys or follow Glenn around. If the weather isn’t good for being outside, Glenn spends most of the day in the garage doing a woodworking project of some kind, usually with the garage door open. Casey can be tied to a long lead where she is close to Glenn but where she can’t go visit the neighbors on her own. When we are home she’s comfortable being connected to the lead in the garage so she can go inside or out while Glenn works. She’s happy because they’re together.

Recently Chester has found togetherness. At the one-month mark of his permanent home adoption he’s succeeded in finding a peaceful sense of being together with me. He still spends part of his days by himself in a corner but at times he sits close to my chair in the living room so I can pet him while I write or watch TV. Occasionally he moves under the dining room table where he can watch me in the kitchen. Lately, since we’ve been at Grandma’s house, he not only enjoys but seeks out Glenn and Casey in the garage.

We wouldn’t be able to tie Chester to a lead and leave him in an open garage like we do with Casey. She doesn’t try to get away; she wouldn’t want to leave. Chester’s primary instincts still tell him to flee when he’s out of his comfort zone. If we’re on a walk and try to go someplace other than the usual route, he balks, backs up and tries to pull off his leash and halter. We double hook him whenever he is outside of the fenced yard to protect him from himself. If Chester was tied up, his instinct would be to escape. If he got loose, he would run until his legs would go no farther and we might not ever find him. The slightest unfamiliar sight or sound would send him into a frenzy that would cause anxiety and his flight instinct would take over. He runs when we see anyone. He is comfortable around us and no one else yet. It’s a good thing that Grandma’s garage isn’t cluttered with woodworking tools. The projects Glenn works on here involve sorting and organizing shelves and drawers. It’s a closed-door environment where two dogs can just hang out with “Dad” while he works.

A new kind of togetherness is building between Chester and his adopted sister Casey. Recently when we’re on walks they sit together when we stop to rest. The past several days they lie together in the garage while Glenn works. The newest situation is their fondness for lying on the leather sofa in the living room here at Grandma’s house. It’s becoming a regular scene. One dog jumps on and before long the other one appears there too. I think it’s their favorite place to be with each other. Actually when Casey gets on first, she curls up at one end or the other. When Chester gets to the sofa first, he chooses the middle cushion, front feet crossed, leaving only small spaces at the ends for the largest dog in the family. He looks like those lion statues that people use at entrances to fancy estates, regal and proud.

Yesterday we watched in amazement as Chester initiated play with Casey. She had a piece of a pork bone in the back yard. Chester was sitting by me on the patio when all of a sudden he jumped up, ran towards Casey and started chasing her, tail wagging. These moments don’t happen often or last very long but they’re signs of improvement and encouraging to witness. The wagging tail is still a rare occurrence as well so it’s a big deal when it happens.

Just now Casey came in from the garage with Glenn. Chester jumped off the sofa and ran; tail wagging, to see what Casey was doing. The bond between these two dogs is increasing and it’s nice to see these short bursts of fun from Chester. Although the dogs are together all day, most of the time they ignore each other; so when Chester initiates any type of interaction or play, it delights us to no end. Togetherness is so important … for people and dogs alike.

Arrived

October 20, 2012

reached our destination. We hope this will be good for Chester with new surroundings to adapt to but where he has the comfort of "his" people and his adopted sister Casey. Will be here for at least a few weeks and I expect Chester's progress to be notable. We will keep you posted as time permits.

Road trip?

October 18, 2012

Chester on a road trip with his new family ... doing great!! Details later.

Nicknames

October 14, 2012

Hi, we wanted to let you know that we're still around and making improvements. Here's Chester's journal from yesterday.

When we first started this adventure, adopting Chester, we each had a few preconceived ideas of what to expect. We didn’t have a specific plan of how to go about rehabilitating Chester, we just figured that love, patience and time (and Casey’s persistence) would do the trick.

I have to tell you, ALL my previous visions of how this would go are already out the window. Chester functions on his own time and completely in his own way. In most situations he has exceeded anything we could have expected in terms of progress. If Chester’s life stayed exactly as it is today, I believe that he would be a happy dog. He has a comfortable home, people and another dog who love him, plenty of food and water, exercise, toys and structure. But his life won’t stay the same and with each day he is awakened to more and more that life has to offer. Yes, he wagged his tail the other day (just that one time), but he smiles a lot. He won’t sit or lie down when you tell him. He won’t even come when called … he knows his name, but WE don’t. “Chester” was a tag the GBR people gave him. No one in his life now knows entirely what his past consisted of or what his name was.

For the most part Chester doesn’t care what we call him as long as he has the basic comforts. He simply hasn’t a clue that this is just the beginning for him. His life will become so much better.

In our family, including our now grown children, we have nicknames for all our animals. With regard to our daughter, a single nickname for a pet would be too easy. She always had several names for each one and each name usually invoked a certain sound or octave change when spoken. That might not be too difficult if you think of a “normal” family with a few pets. Actually we’ve never been “normal” and over the years some of our pets included our purebred Polled Hereford cattle. Our children started raising breeding stock for 4-H and FFA projects. We weaned and halter broke calves and the kids showed them at junior association events and fairs. Each calf (or cow) had nicknames … and sometimes several … because they were all purebred and had formal pedigree names. Those stories are for another time.

Chester already has a few nicknames. Bandit and Rascal are each fitting names for his rapidly developing personality. Each day, we watch to see how many times he “steals” Casey’s black bear toy and wonder when she will take it back. They always do it when the other one is away from the area, but last night’s episode was precious.

These stuffed bear squeaky toys belong to Casey. She’s had them for probably 6 months. One is brown, the other black. Chester has recently “claimed” the brown one as his and Casey seemed okay with that. A few days ago while she was outside Chester grabbed the black one too and put it with his other. Under the table it went. We laughed but let them sort it out. Last night Casey retrieved the black bear and was lying in the middle of the family room floor, playing with it. She asked to go out. No sooner was she out of sight than Chester came out from under his table and swiped the black bear and put it back by his brown one.

When Casey returned to the room, she was baffled. She looked around where the bear had been. She sniffed around. Then she went to the bedroom closet (there’s a box where I put damaged toys for later repair). She looked on the sofa where Glenn sat. She was truly puzzled at where that bear had gone. All the while Chester watched, smiling, from under his table. He had both bears securely snuggled where she couldn’t see them. Bandit? Rascal? You bet!!

Book notes

October 11, 2012

Chester’s journal has been an eye-opening adventure for me in more ways than I could imagine. In a few short weeks he has changed our lives so much. He’s a joy and a love. He has become a permanent member of our family. Our hope was that we could have a positive impact on his life, maybe help undo some of the damage inflicted on him by others. We could help him know love and develop a real sense of belonging. We had hoped to “rescue” this dog and to become a positive force in his life. That goal is starting to become reality and the rescue part is mutual.

The real surprise is what he has done to us, to me particularly.

I honestly didn’t realize how much of an impact Chester would have on our daily lives.

As a result of Chester’s journey and the new awakening in me, I have made another life-changing decision. I am officially returning to one of my other “loves”.

I haven’t written professionally for 20 years but I have decided to write a book about Chester … “Chester’s Tales … diary of a Golden Retriever rescue dog”.

Actually several books are in the works, about our dogs and about our time on the ranch in Oregon with our cattle.

The Chester journals will continue, but I’ll only post them as he makes significant progress.

I’d like to thank all of you who have encouraged me in this venture, especially my husband Glenn. After 45 years of marriage I have him completely fooled. He still believes I can accomplish anything I decide to do, and he supports me fully in this effort.

Chester and I are not going away. You’ll hear from us soon.

Thanks

Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon

October 11, 2012

Chester – Day 19

Okay, Glenn and I knew from the start, even before we met him; that Chester was in need of a good home and plenty of love. After meeting him, I knew he was smart … the sparkle in his eyes, the way he was aware of his surroundings, the way he jumped in the back seat of our car without hesitation. He knew in the depths of his being that we could be trusted. In my heart I knew he was the right dog for us.

Prior to meeting Chester I actually had mixed feelings about which dog we might adopt. Like I mentioned before, my first desire was to get a dog of my own. Glenn and Casey had such a great relationship and I wanted to have that special bond too. I was looking for a jogging buddy, a dog who would curl up with me on my bed while I read, or one who would get up and follow me when I moved from the living room to the kitchen.

Then we saw the short write-up about Chester on the Golden Bond Rescue website. Glenn and I agreed immediately that he needed and was deserving of having a special home, one that we could provide. We thought we should meet a couple of dogs on the same trip and make our decision accordingly. Most of these dogs are located in Oregon, primarily around the Portland area. That’s a 4-5 hour drive from our home so we wanted to meet more than one to economize on the trip. In the meantime, I had already let our adoption coordinator know that Chester was one we wanted to meet. Several days later I received a call from her. It seems that Chester’s foster family (who live in the Portland area) was taking a weekend trip to Washington and would be willing to bring him along. That would cut our driving time in half. We met Chester and the rest is history.

These breed rescue associations are volunteer groups and operate a little differently from each other, but the outcome is designed to be the same. We live in the extreme northwest corner of Washington State, almost into British Columbia Canada, and there’s no Golden Retriever rescue society in our state at this time. In the case of Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon, the process went something like this: We submitted an 8-page application along with a $25 non-refundable deposit. They checked our references and contacted our veterinarian to make sure we care for our existing dog properly. We received a phone call from GBR for a “welcome” and phone interview to find out something about us and answer any of our questions. They scheduled a “home visit”. A GBR member who lives a few hours away from us brought her Golden Retriever and came here to see our home; to make sure we have proper fencing and facilities and to meet Casey. That way they can see how the existing family dog interacts with a strange dog in their own home. Then our application was submitted to various foster parents for their evaluation to see if their foster dog might be a fit for our family.

Normally there’s a 24-hour “cooling off period” between the time you meet the dog and when you can take them home. The exception is if your drive to meet the dog is 2 hours or more, they ask that you leave for awhile to think about it. No one wants buyer’s remorse caused by a decision from the heart instead of a rational purchase. There’s a 2-week period where the dog can be returned and money refunded. But finding the right fit from the start will minimize the stress these dogs already have. Long process, but I’m sure they generally get happier results. Our process ended up being a bit different due to circumstances and thankfully so because it’s one of the best decisions we’ve made in awhile.

Chester continues to do well as evidenced by yesterday’s leap instead of baby steps. We know he will improve but we also know that “spiking the ball in the end zone” or “hitting a home run” only takes a few minutes of the overall game. We’re in this for the long haul. Chester is a rightful member of our family and he deserves and will get all the time he needs to get healthy. Baby steps are still the order of the day. He is still comfortable under tables (his preferred location now is basement/family room) where we spend time watching baseball, reading or working on our laptop computers.

This morning Chester and Casey have spent time together in closer proximity to each other. Our morning walk was normal, Chester leading the way. Every day he seems to walk farther ahead of Casey without being stressed. Casey jumped on the bed awhile ago and Glenn “assisted” Chester to join her so he will know it’s acceptable behavior (see photo).

These two Golden Retrievers have now officially adopted each other as brother and sister … and they think Mom and Dad are okay too.

Fun? Smiling?

October 10, 2012

Chester – Day 18

Oh boy!! Oh boy!!

New parents are always told that their children must learn to walk before they can run. The same is said of adults who are learning new things, or trying to accomplish a goal. We’ve had people tell us that same thing as it relates to our dogs. Prior to today I accepted that as a fact.

Well … today Chester decided to walk, run, hit a home run and spike the ball in the end zone all at the same time!! There’s no stopping this dog now. He’s kicking butt and taking names.

I usually write this journal (or blog if you prefer) during the morning or early afternoon regarding happenings from the previous day. I don’t take notes per se but once I start writing, the thoughts of Chester’s actions just seem to flow. Today I was having a difficult time coming up with anything of importance to share with you. Yesterday was a good day for Chester. He seems to be settling into his new life with some degree of comfort and maybe even happiness. It’s difficult to tell for sure from a dog that spends so much time under a table or in a corner.

Prior to lunch today I’d been working on the computer and writing some generic things about Chester that I thought might work in his blog. I didn’t realize what time it was and needed to take him downstairs to go potty. I would leave him with Glenn and Casey while I came back upstairs to make lunch. Note: we still don’t have a method of letting Chester notify us of potty break needs, we just hook up his leash and he walks nicely with us to the back yard every so often. It works for now. Like I mentioned yesterday, we make up the game and rules as we go along.

Here’s the picture: Chester’s leash is hooked up, he walks with me downstairs to the back yard where Glenn is touching up a painted fence and Casey is lying in the grass on the south side of the lawn. Chester goes pee in the grass on the north side of the patio. Glenn and I start up a casual conversation and all of a sudden we stop and watch the dogs with wonder. Chester is running towards Casey and she chases him the other direction. Chester runs back and STEALS Casey’s pork bone from the lawn and RUNS with it, romping actually … TAIL WAGGING. He puts the bone down under the patio table and continues to run back and forth in the yard with Casey, tail STILL wagging. They romp and play for several minutes until they’re tired.

Casey never seemed to worry about losing the bone, although Glenn gave her a different one. Chester wasn’t particularly interested in chewing the bone either. He simply used it as a tool to get her to chase him so they could play … and it worked!! This is a day Casey has been hoping for, when she would have a friend and playmate out of this deal.

So … this was Chester’s first time running and playing with Casey on his own (although he tried pacing us at a distance a week or so ago). First time wagging his tail, heck, it’s the first time that tail has been outstretched at all (usually tucked between his legs). First time he’s initiated any kind of play with Casey or us.

And all the while … he was SMILING

Later in the day our little “thief” decided it was time to play with soft squeaky toys as well and “stole” two bears from the family room floor and took them under his table with him. Chewed and squeaked and snuggled (all another first). They stayed there all day, Casey has other toys and didn’t bother to try and “retrieve” them. Maybe her sense of respect for Chester goes beyond her natural retriever instincts. More likely she’s a peaceful soul who doesn’t mind letting a lost one have some comfort with her toy. Who says they have to walk before they run? Chester says it’s more fun to save it up for one big splash of excitement and entertainment.

Our routine

October 9, 2012

Chester – Day 17

At this stage of Chester’s rehabilitation, I’m aware that he’s doing better in a short time than most people would have guessed, me included. My expectations of him are reasonable and I try to help him achieve a little more each day or so, based on the progress he made on the previous day. But, Chester still dictates what he’s ready to do and when. He wants to please me, but is only capable of so much each day based on his fears and lack of confidence. We know there will be backslides, we just hope they aren’t too far or too many. He still spends part of his days under tables or in corners. The fact that it’s just “part” is reason to be hopeful.

Our morning routine is becoming just that … routine. I get up, go start the coffee, return to the bedroom and Chester is standing there waiting for his leash and ready to walk downstairs and outside for his morning bathroom break. After his quick trip outside, he wants to hang out in the basement awhile with Glenn and Casey and then it’s time for breakfast. Note: I have never seen a dog get to “business” so quickly. Once in the back yard, he knows what he’s there for and within a few minutes, he’s ready to come back inside. I always go outside with him, have never left him out there alone yet. Awhile after breakfast, it’s back outside time for the rest of the bathroom chores. Next it’s upstairs to my office (while I upload Chester’s journal). Then when he sees me put shoes on and grab my jacket, Chester stands waiting for his halter and the leash … time for the morning walk with Glenn and Casey. Back inside for a cool drink of water (I think he’s a camel in a retriever’s body, he drinks a lot of water, but not often). Then back outside or to the basement to hang out with Glenn and Casey.

I believe that some of Chester’s progress can be attributed to our “schedule”. He knows what to expect and therefore isn’t as fearful of what’s next. He can count on eating breakfast between 7 and 8 a.m. and dinner between 6 and 7 p.m. There’s always some real meat or veggie people food as supplement after he’s had the dog food and he can’t believe his luck with that. He knows he’ll get some treats during the day. Chester expects his halter to be put on and taken off at certain times and he stands or sits in anticipation. He counts on walks and we don’t disappoint him. He knows he’ll get petted, loved and praised throughout the day by Glenn and me. I believe he now knows that Casey will check on him periodically and that she has learned to respect his “space”. They lie together in the basement/family room, especially after dinner. He knows when I say “night-night” that we’re headed to the bedroom to his kennel/bed and that I’ll put his soft stuffed snuggle toy in the bed with him. And I think most of all he knows we love him and that he can count on us.

Chester isn’t as motivated by food as I would have thought. He won’t eat or drink anything unless he’s in an environment where he feels completely safe. No treats on walks, so that’s out for training purposes. Knowing that prior to foster care he was starving, I really expected him to be easily motivated by treats or food of any kind. Although he loves food, and appreciates being regularly fed, the stronger bond with him is love and attention. Praise and petting go a long way towards claiming Chester’s heart. I also believe that not letting him always have his way has created expectations that he’s now putting on himself as well. He knows that occasionally I will prod him into doing something he’s not sure of, so he complies to gain my approval and affection. When he’s accomplished the task, he’s very proud of himself and thrives on my praise.

While I was running errands and working in the kitchen, Chester spent a good part of the morning and early afternoon in the back yard in the sunshine with Glenn and Casey. Glenn enjoys working in the yard and Casey is his shadow. Whenever Chester spends time with them it’s an opportunity for him to learn.

The journey Chester and I are on together is completely random and unplanned. We make up the game and the rules each day as we go. We’re okay with that.

Progress

October 8, 2012

Chester – Day 16

Progress, progress, progress and fun. That’s the name of today’s game.

First thing this morning I heard Glenn in the kitchen and Casey in the hallway just outside my bedroom door. It was still dar

k outside, about 6 a.m.. Chester came out of his kennel/bed, headed to the bedroom door (on his own) and joined Casey heading downstairs … no halter, no leash. He followed her outside to potty and came back to the basement/family room for a drink (from the community water bowl by the door).

I had to have my coffee and get dressed, but today’s plan called for an early dog breakfast and an early walk (before the neighborhood kids were up and out). The dogs went outside to our back yard to do their morning bathroom duties. She and Glenn headed upstairs to the garage to wait for Chester and me. I walked upstairs and called him … nothing … then he appeared at the foot of the stairs and I showed him the halter and leash and he walked up the stairs (on his own), but got part way and changed his mind. He did this about 3-4 times but finally came into the dining room and sat for me to halter him. We headed out through the garage for our usual walk. Chester knows the way, actually once he starts walking (and once past the car where he tries to hint about taking a ride), he usually leads the way.

Note: I don’t have all the details of Chester’s “past life” other than to know he was in great foster care for 6 months prior to us meeting him and that he was in a puppy mill situation where he was abused and starved. It’s not difficult to pick up on some “things” about him though that the people at Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon may not even know about his life. I truly believe that sometime during his life he lived by a busy street with lots of traffic. We don’t live on a busy street at all, but during our neighborhood walks we stop halfway at a grassy area and wait for Glenn and Casey. At that location you can hear the hum drum of the freeway noise and Chester seems to like it … there’s a familiarity there for him somehow. Also when we’re in the grassland field behind our house, he’s definitely in his glory. Was he puppy trained at one time in that setting? Or started with field training? These two things are happy places for Chester and had to have played a role in his overall being.

Our neighborhood walks are shorter than Glenn and Casey usually take. Chester has determined the route he prefers. But now, if the dogs behave on that portion, we have added a walk and romp in the grassland field behind the house. Chester led the way back home on the sidewalk and headed to the garage to return inside. Glenn and Casey caught up and walked to the side yard gate and down the hill to the field. Chester followed without much prodding. Once we were in the field Chester looked like a real retriever. He moves so beautifully it deserves to be a painting in motion. When we got to their special tree area, Glenn let Casey off-leash and she was off and running. I had knelt down by Glenn and held Chester’s leash and halter tightly (not sure of what he would do). Within a minute, he was pulling me up to follow Casey. She ran free, sniffing tall grasses … Chester followed in her footsteps and followed her every action. Casey ran, Chester followed and I ran along as best I could on the uneven ground. He was having FUN and being a dog, not only a dog, but a Golden Retriever. Several times he looked up at me as if to say “I didn’t know life could get this good, this is what I was born to do, huh?”

Late morning Glenn took them both on 15 ft leads (tied to a solid object) and they sat in the sunshine for 30 minutes in the front yard. Chester got nervous and we came back in, but he is really starting to understand that this is his life … and he approves.

Some "firsts"

October 7, 2012

Chester – Day 15

We have had a number of “firsts” so far and we’re only in the beginning to scratch the surface. Last night Chester slept in his kennel/bed part of the night with his back to the room, not towards the wall. To me, that says a lot … trust and safety and completely relaxed in comfort. This fearful dog is ALWAYS on his guard and to sleep with his back to the 

room means a lot.

Another “first” I enjoyed was seeing him walk right past Casey (on two occasions last night) to drink from the large water bowl by the slider door. The bowls there have been hers for the 14 months we’ve had her. Chester knows this is “her” house, “her” people, “her” bowls and toys. So for him to be so bold as to help himself to the large bowl for a drink is another important step in his rehabilitation into our family. He’s now done that all day … they are now community water bowls. Tick off another on the list of “I want to become a family dog”.

In the 2 weeks since Chester arrived, the dogs have had two “tiffs”. The first was when Chester thought I was in danger from Casey’s growling while she and I were playing tug-o-war. The second time involved Casey trying to help herself to a leftover chew bone from under Chester’s table. Casey has only had to defend herself a few times in her life, never before in her own home, so she’s learning a few lessons as well. She has a newly found respect for Chester and his space. This is a good thing.

Late morning and I had promised a friend that I’d to with her to a book reading at a local bookstore. Glenn took Casey and Chester (tandem lead between their halters) for a walk. They trotted along just fine until a neighbor woman called to them from the other side of the street. Glenn didn’t give up, but came home, settled the dogs down and went out again, this time into a large field behind our house. Chester did very well for his first trip by himself with Dad and Casey. Surprisingly to me, he thoroughly enjoyed the part of his walk in the open field. Mostly he prefers more compact areas where he feels he can spot dangers more easily, but he did okay at the dog park the other day and looked completely in his element walking through a open grassy (80 acre) field behind the house.

By evening Chester was making so much progress, Glenn and I just kept looking at each other and smiling. Since Chester spent a lot of time in the basement (family room) with Glenn and Casey today, he missed his Mom (me). So when I was in the family room or sitting on the back patio with them, he didn’t spend much time under tables. He would lie down close to me and let me brush or pet him. One time Casey scooted herself up where she was lying with her head touching one of Chester’s back legs. The neatest thing of all was watching Chester run WITH me and Casey in the back yard just before dinner. Both dogs and I were running, almost side-by-side, back and forth in the yard and Chester was thoroughly enjoying just being part of the fun. It does my heart good to see him enjoy himself and to show off a bit. Casey likes it too because she’s very patiently waiting for him to realize he’s a dog, and her brother, so they can get on with the life of running and playing together any time they want. She continues to approach him at times, tail wagging, like … “come on, let’s have some fun.” Chester is doing so well, in some ways better and sooner than we thought. Oh, and he’s gaining weight – YAY!!!

We know he will have ups and downs, forward and backwards progress, but he is LIVING now … not in a cage being abused and starved, not just hiding in a corner under a table. Whatever else is real to Chester … he has a real family … and he knows it.

Just one of those days

October 6, 2012

Chester – Day 14

Chester had a restful and quiet night.

This morning he decided that he’d made it too easy for me yesterday by volunteering to get up and out of bed, walk to the basement and outside willingly. H

e didn’t want me to think this was going to be a cake walk. Today I had to pull him up and out of bed (I’ve been there myself). It’s getting cooler outside the past few days and I’m sure he was warm and comfy. Once downstairs he headed to go under his table. With some pulling and coaxing, he finally went outdoors and just started to pee when a LOUD noise from a distance startled him abruptly to a stop. It took another 10 minutes of walking around with him in the back yard and refusing to let him back inside before he finished. Back inside, he ate his breakfast and had a large drink of water, but it was another wait and struggle to get him back upstairs.

Once upstairs, he followed me (without leash or prodding) from the office to the kitchen (my breakfast), to the bedroom to put some things away, back to the office. He’d love to become a Velcro dog … working on it.

I think today is turning out to be one of those days when Chester would rather be invisible. Although he followed me around a bit this morning, since then he’s tried to stay in his bed (and for now I’m letting him). Sometimes we all just have “those days” where we’d rather not participate. He did enjoy his walk this morning with Casey, although he let her lead most of the way (another indication to me that he isn’t quite himself). He spent more time looking all directions and listening to every small noise than really enjoying his walk. There’s no sign that he’s sick and no change in his bathroom habits, so I’m not worried. Will just let him do his thing and we’ll see what the afternoon brings.

It must be boring for a dog that doesn’t do “dog” … after all he doesn’t play with toys, chase balls, run or chew large bones. We can’t leave him on a long lead, like Casey who enjoys following her “Dad/Glenn” around while he’s doing projects, or just sitting by him (in the front yard watching him work on the flower beds or landscape projects.) If Chester escaped from his collar and halter, we might never catch him … he’d run until his legs wouldn’t carry him any more. Other than walks and the petting and attention we give him throughout the day, most of his day is spent lying around. Most of that time he sits anxious and fearful that something will “get” him, so he’s on his guard and under a table or between furniture and a wall.

He knows by now that we’re safe, but he still jumps if we make the slightest noise he’s not prepared to hear, even putting the remote back on the table can cause him to flinch. Today I dropped an empty tuna can on the counter by accident while making lunch and he flew off the sofa (dragging the leash that was still attached), skid down the hallway and into the bedroom to his kennel/bed. I found him sitting there, shaking. I petted him, calmed him down a bit, grabbed the leash and walked him back to where he was on the sofa in the kitchen. He sat there quietly until I left the room. Chester went back to bed until lunch time.

After lunch Chester stayed for a nap with Glenn and Casey. The rest of the afternoon and evening was pretty quiet. It’s obvious he wants to join the fun; he’s just fearful and doesn’t know how yet. A first (and second): Chester walked right past Casey and drank water from the large bowl that sits just inside the slider door. Previously he’s only used his own.

Fearful dogs don't play

October 5, 2012

Chester – Day 13

This day started out like any other … almost. When I woke up Chester was sound asleep in his kennel/bed. I tiptoed out of the bedroom and started the coffee. Upon my return, Chester was standing outside the kennel waiting for me to hook up his leash to take him downstairs and outside to potty. When we came back inside he chose to stay in the Man & Dog Cave (basement) for awhile with Glenn and Casey. Glenn said that Chester wandered around in the family room and up and down the stairs a few times, but settled back in a spot (under a table) next to Glenn by the sofa. A while later Chester actually stood at the slider door (obviously asking to go outside … that’s another first). When the door was opened, Chester went out and went potty again.

Note: Casey has scratched at the slider or lightly on the screen door since she was about 2-1/2 months old. We believe Chester was caged or kenneled most of his former life (approx 4 yrs) but for 6 months in foster care there was a doggie door for his use. Since we adopted Chester I’ve taken him outside periodically to make sure he has ample times to go. This was his first effort at letting us know. It will be more difficult to maintain this behavior unless we come up with a bell setup or something because when Chester is inside, he spends more time upstairs with me. The only way to the fenced yard is down the stairs. From upstairs our closest access outside is to the (unfenced) front yard.

Back upstairs and once in my office (he always knows to come here first), instead of going to “his corner”, he sat next to my chair. Eventually he did lie down next to me, but where I could still pet the top of his head without either of us moving. Told you he was a smart dog ;-)

Tomorrow will only be two weeks since we first met Chester and brought him into our home. We had only spent a few hours with him before he left his family (of 6 months), rode in the backseat of a car with a strange dog for a 2 hour drive to our house.

Glenn and I are thrilled at the progress Chester has made so far. He trusts us. He eats well (looks at us like he can’t believe his good fortune), sleeps soundly and knows the routine for potty breaks. His favorite stuffed toy is a very soft Clifford-type dog that he sleeps with. It’s cute the way he moves it around to suit his desires at the time, either as a pillow or for someone to snuggle. Sure, he still jumps when he hears an unfamiliar sound, or tries to run and hide when a neighbor dog barks while we walk. Although he’s coming out of corners and from under tables more frequently, he still uses them more often than not. We knew this wasn’t a “quick fix” dog when we agreed to adopt him, but we are amazed at his ability to respond to his new home, new routines and new dog “sister.”

He is yet to show signs of wanting to (or knowing how to) play. He doesn’t chew toys or chase balls. He does watch his new big sister Casey more intently, so he will learn from her. Chester isn’t even close to wagging his tail, but he will and I think that day will come sooner than later. In the meantime, he’s happy and he’s bringing a lot of joy to our lives as well.