Animals DO Suffer Psychological Trauma from Abuse

Have you ever had one of those days when asking your Chihuahua to stop watching television and eat her dinner seems completely normal? I have had a few of them lately, and to be honest I am wondering if I have lost my mind!

It all started when we were told by our vet that our five pound Chihuahua Minnie was anorexic. I was puzzled by this diagnosis since I had never thought that dogs could be prone to eating disorders, but if you knew Minnie the diagnosis makes complete sense. You see Minnie was "rescued" from a difficult situation that her previous owners were completely oblivious to. They kept a sweater on her at all times so they never noticed that the little dog was skin and bones. The reason Minnie was starving became clear to me the day I picked her up and met the twenty five pound Maltese she lived with. He was a butterball of a dog and it was clear that Minnie and he had not been supervised at feeding time. He had been bullying the little Chihuahua out of her food for quite some time, and now Minnie was literally afraid of food dishes, food, and anything to do with meal time.

We have had this little dog for over two years now, and the daily struggle to get her to eat still continues. Some days it is all I can do to keep from bursting into tears as she cowers away from the food bowl refusing to eat. Somehow we have managed to get her to gain the all important pound of weight the vet says is crucial to her survival, but we are not sure how we managed that, I guess persistence paid off in this case, although some days it seems like no matter what we do, eating is not on the day's agenda.

People seem to think that rescue is as simple as removing the animal from the abusive situation. They fail to understand that animals can and do suffer psychological trauma from past abuse. For our little Minnie that trauma is deep set and life threatening. While we hope there will be a time when Minnie will approach eating with the enthusiasm of most dogs, that time may never come, and getting her to eat may always be a struggle, only time will tell. Luckily we are not strangers to helping dogs overcome psychological trauma, but for the average person, Minnie's issues would be tough to deal with. Some days even I have trouble and end up in tears because she just won't eat!

When we tell people what is wrong with our little girl they scoff and try to tell us that dogs can't have psychological traumas because they don't have the capability to feel emotion, or the ability to remember their past. After 25 years in animal rescue we know better.

We have a puppy mill rescue, a tiny toy poodle boy who spent his first two years of life in a cage with no kind human touch or interaction. When I first brought him home he was so scared and shut down he sat on the same kitchen tile frozen in fear for about two hours before our pack's alpha female took him under her wing. He's been with us for four years now and he is just starting to act like a normal dog, coming and seeking affection from the humans he so desperately tried to avoid for the past four years. He is finally healing from the psychological trauma caused by the puppy mill.

So why am I telling you this? Because I want you to understand that true rescue is not as easy as people seem to think. Simply taking an animal away from the abuse does not solve the problem completely. There is still days, sometimes years worth of work to be done after initial rescue. When rescue fails (ie: an animal is returned after adoption) it is usually because there has been little or no thought given to rehabilitation. Most rescue animals have issues that make them difficult for the average person to live with, if no one tries to rehabilitate them those issues go with them into their new home, and can be the difference between a successful adoption and an adoption failure.

I have seen many adoptions fail because no rehabilitative training was done, and an adopter can't "handle" the baggage their new pet has brought with them. Don't get me wrong, I believe people should adopt not shop, but I also believe that many agencies approach animal rescue and adoption in the wrong way, and that is a big part of the problem. Shelters do not create an environment that promotes psychological healing, they just aren't equipped to do so. Foster care is a better option for animals with psychological trauma, but there just aren't enough foster care providers with the ability to help an animal heal from the psychological trauma caused by their past abuse.

Those who do provide animals in need with a temporary home are wonderful people, and I am glad they exist and are willing to open their homes, but they don't always have the experience or the patience to deal with an animal with quirky anti-social behaviors. Animals healing from psychological trauma need patience and understanding, and sometimes months or even years to heal.

Providing foster care for an animal in need is frustrating and at times heartbreaking, but if you are the type of person who can be patient, and doesn't mind working with an animal for an extended period of time you just might be the perfect candidate for long term fostering. If you think you are PLEASE contact a rescue in your area and volunteer. Despite the frustration and the heartache, it is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do!

In memory of my Father...

No one ever tells you that when someone close to you dies it feels like a part of you died too. But it does. No one tells you that for years after that person is gone the anniversary of their death will tear you apart. But it does.

My Father died eight years ago today. You would think that by now I would be able to handle it, that the years that have passed since his death would have mellowed my pain. But they haven't.

I left home at an early age to get away from an extremely abusive Mother. For years I had no contact with my family, except for my Father. My Mother never knew we kept in touch, that Dad would meet me at least once a month for lunch to make sure I was okay and didn't need anything. We had a secret father/daughter relationship because my Mother had disowned me for getting pregnant at such a young age, and for refusing to marry the father of my child.

My Dad was still there for me even though my Mother had decried that contact with me would send her flying to a lawyer to file for divorce. She never knew about the meetings or the times my Dad paid the rent because I was between jobs. She never knew that he never gave up on me. The winter of 1990 (one year before my third daughter was born) was the last time I heard from my Father. In March of 2007 he was hospitalized and three weeks later on April 10th 2007 he lost his fight with cancer. I was unaware of this fact because the rest of my "family" decided to keep it from me.

I would not learn of his death until 2 months before my wedding in 2008, and my family would never tell me where he was buried. So, eight years after his death I still can not get through the day (April 10th) of his death because I was never allowed to say goodbye. I never got to tell him how much he meant to me, or that I loved him deeply. He never got to see his third Grandaughter (Cheyanne born in Sept. of 1991). He never got to hold her, or read to her the way he had read to me every night when I was a child.

I have to believe that if there really is a heaven my Father is there. Everything that is good in me came from him, from the lessons he taught me as I was growing up. Sometimes those were hard lessons to learn, but he was always there to guide me and set me on the right path. My entire rescue career would not exist were it not for my Father who taught me to stand up for what is right and to always protect those who couldn't protect themselves. He was the greatest humanitarian I have ever known, and there are days when I still find myself thinking "I wish Dad were here he'd know just what to do!"

Grieving is hard when you are not allowed to say goodbye. All the things you couldn't tell that person before they died haunt you, there are a lot of thoughts of  "if only I could have...." floating around in your mind. I think maybe that's why I am having such a hard time getting past his death. I can not go to his grave and tell him because I don't know where he is buried, and my family won't tell me. I may never be able to grieve fully, and that's on them.

Daddy, wherever you are I love you and I miss you more than words could ever say.

Traveling With Dogs: Creative Use of Seatbelts

As most of you that know me are aware, I have been active in dog rescue for over twenty years. In that time I have been required to move animals from place to place in my own personal vehicle. I find that I get paranoid when there is a dog in my car that is free to be thrown about should I stop suddenly. I also do not want them to be thrown from the vehicle in an accident or escape out the window injured after the fact. Therefore I tend to use the seats and seatbelts in our station wagon in a creative manner. For example, yesterday my daughter who had been up visiting with us for the week from Toronto needed to be taken home with her dog Tia (can you believe there were 9 dogs here all last week and our neighbors were none the wiser? We have good dogs!)

My daughter is 18 and needs to retake her G2 driving test for the third time so we decided to make the trip from Barrie to Toronto down back roads so she could get in some practice driving. So with my daughter driving, my husband navigating (sans pre-plotted route and flying by the seat of his pants I might add) and I sitting in the back seat (where I never travel) with the dog, we set out for Toronto.

Tia a three year old mixed breed (really mixed, even the vet hasn't a clue, but she's a cutie) with short little legs and a nervous disposition, does not like the car on a good day when an experienced driver is at the wheel. You can well imagine her reaction to a hesitant teen driver just getting her license was much worse. So here I am, my husband has thoughtfully put both back windows down, kind of him and I love him for it, but there is just one problem.

My daughter is driving, my husband is trying to figure out where the heck we are going, the dog just wants out of the car and no one but me has realized the windows are open too far! The window controls are of course locked from the front of the car for the safety of the traveling dog, so I can not close the windows. The dog's leash, which my daughter has removed and thrown in the cargo area with her oversized purse and the other detritus teenagers carry around with them when they come home from college for the week has obviously found some here before never known hiding spot in which to take up residence. So I grab the dog by the collar right before we come to a stop sign and she tries to go out the window. 

Of course before I can say wait a minute I have to find the leash, we are off again so I am left hanging onto the dog by the collar for the next 20 miles or so while I wait for somewhere my daughter can safely pull in and stop (see the trouble with those back roads and a teen driver now? hehehe) Tia is the type of dog who never sits still in the car , so I now find myself being yanked all over the back seat of the car while she roams at will. She is also an oddly shaped little dog with the legs of a bassett hound and the body of a full sized lab, so balance in a moving vehicle is not her strong point. The two people in the front of the car are of course still blissfully ignorant to what is going on behind them as I try to prevent the dog from heading for the too open windows.

So when we finally stop I assess the situation, fold down the seat clip the lap belt over top of it and secure the dogs leash (which I have searched for and found with some cursing and swearing involved,) and tie it off short enough for the dog to be able to move about as far as the back cargo area, but not to go out the window, which I have know made sure is only open the right amount for the dog to stick her head out of, and not her entire body. I then put a harness (which has also been miraculously pulled from hiding somewhere in the vast reaches of the cargo area) on the dog clip the leash onto it and we are off again. Dog is all secure, and I can stop worrying she is going to fall out the window and start worrying about the fact that my daughter with the learners permit is driving. That is of course when Tia the dog who never sits still in the car,decides to lay down in my lap for the rest of the trip.

Original Post to "the Barrie Dog Blog" Posted by Janette Hamilton at 6/21/2010 09:17:00 AM 

No Glory Wanted...

Do you know my name? I wouldn't be surprised if you did, strangers recognizing me is somewhat of an occupational hazard since I began working full time with rescues. People know me when I walk down the street or comment in an internet forum. They stop me and try to pick my brain for training tips, or spend five minutes praising the work I do and telling me what a great person I am for doing it. What they do not do is ask about the animals I work with, and therein lies the problem.

I did not begin rehabilitating rescued dogs with the intention of becoming "known". I began rehabilitating rescues because I truly wished to give them a second chance. Besides I owe the species my life. Just over twenty years ago a dog gave her life to save mine. I feel it is only right to dedicate the rest of my life to ending the pain and suffering of her fellow dog (and cat, horse, bird, rat, etc.) whenever I can. To me that means saving and removing them from an abusive or otherwise detrimental situation, seeing that they are properly socialized and trained, and finding them homes that fit right with their individual needs and personality.

What I do is a labor of love. It gives my life meaning, but I do not want to be glorified for doing it. I just want to be left in peace to do what I do best, rescue and rehabilitate animals. I do not want to be known, I do not want you to remember my name. I want you to remember THEM, the animals I help. I want you to thank me by stepping up and saying "I have room in my heart and my home for one more, and I can make a difference!" I don't want your praise, I NEED your support, I need you to thank all animal rescue workers out there in the best way you possibly could, by stepping forward to help make a difference.

DON'T GIVE ME PRAISE! Forget my name. Remember the animals! FOSTER! ADOPT! Your support is my reward. BE THE CHANGE! That is all the thanks or praise I want or need.

 Reach out to a rescue near you and volunteer to foster, or transport a pet in need. Volunteer at your local animal shelter and give a dog some time out of it's kennel. BE A PART OF THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE!

This fight for humane treatment of our companion animals is not about me or you, it is about THEM the voiceless animals we bring into our homes and keep as pets. Who I am will never be the important thing, it will always be secondary to the really important things in life. I am a nameless someone who set out to make a difference, don't remember me, remember the animals I fight for.

Until Next Time,

WE ARE THEIR ONLY VOICE!

Peace!

Everydogsmom

Is your dog safe in your car?

Wow! I wish this weather would make up it's mind! (if you live in a warmer climate this probably doesn't apply to you) It is making my dogs nuts. One day they want to go out and stay out, the next it's so cold they look at me like I'm crazy when I suggest a potty break outdoors. Really it is quite exhausting, especially if you have small breed dogs which have to get dressed before venturing out into the cold. I am reminded of when my children were small and it took fifteen minutes to get them ready to go out (we won't mention that someone always had the inevitable urge to pee as soon as everyone was dressed and ready to go because it doesn't apply here.) Of course in this weather if I am getting the Chihuahuas ready for a car ride, I have to remember the car blankets as well.

Hmm, thinking about dogs and car rides brings me to a pet peeve of mine, unsecured dogs in vehicles. How many times have you been driving along and you see a pickup truck pass you with a dog running around in the truck bed unsecured? This is extremely dangerous for the dog, but yet we see it all the time. Don't these owners realize (or care) that going over one big bump in the road could be enough to throw their pet right out of the truck bed and onto the road in the middle of traffic?

I know we have all seen cars passing by with dog heads sticking out the window. Let's face it, dogs love the breeze in their face, but is this really safe? Quite frankly, the answer is NO. If your window is rolled down enough for your dog to stick their entire head and neck out the window, the window is open too far for safety. While the dogs in this picture look like they are having a great time if one gets a little too enthusiastic about hanging out the window he could end up on the road trying to dodge traffic. A breeze through the car is great for the dog but roll those windows up high enough that your dog can't get out through them.

Humans wear seatbelts while riding in cars (well at least the law says they are supposed to and if they have half a brain they do) but will place their dog in the car unrestrained. The idea of wearing a seatbelt is to prevent you from being thrown around the inside of your vehicle should an accident occur. Doesn't it make sense to restrain your dog in some way to prevent them from being thrown around the vehicle should an accident occur? We place our babies in car seats, doesn't it make sense that our dogs should be restrained in a similar manner? There are both carseats and seatbelt harnesses available for dogs these days, perhaps it might be prudent to purchase one or the other to keep your pet safe while traveling in the car?

I use an old baby car seat, but there are commercial car seats available made specially for dogs. When I don't have the car seat in my car I make sure my dogs are safely restrained using a harness and short leash hooked to the car's seat belt. This allows my dogs to look out the windows but prevents them from being thrown about should we stop suddenly or get into an accident.

If you are anything like me and many of my friends, then ensuring your pet is safe when you travel is important to you. Right now some of you may be saying "my dog is little, I just hold her on my lap, she's safe in my arms." But you would be wrong. Ninety percent of cars on the road today contain airbags as a safety device. In the event of a car accident these airbags shoot out of your front dash at the equivalent of something ridiculous like two hundred miles an hour. We have seen some pretty horrible injuries caused by airbags. So just think about that for a minute, then tell me again about how your little dog is safe in your arms....yeah, I thought that might make you rethink things. If you get into an accident sitting in the front seat of a vehicle with a dog in your arms, that dog is going to bear the full force of that airbag. That force could kill a small breed dog. So perhaps your lap while comfy for Fido, is not the best place for him to travel.

So before your next roadtrip re-evaluate how your dog travels in your vehicle, maybe you could be traveling just a little bit safer, and as we all know, it is always better to be safe than sorry!

Happy Travels!

This Video is an Accident Waiting to Happen

Hey everybody! Sorry I haven't written in a bit but the big bad flu bug got me down and I am just now beginning to recover. I may be a little late with this post but they do say better late than never! First I want you to watch this video clip, then we are going to discuss why it was a really dumb idea on the part of this girls parents to film this: (we didn't shoot this footage)

Okay, so we have a four year old girl feeding six  allegedly male pit bulls. I get that her parents were trying to show how "normal" pit bulls are, but in making this video they made several serious errors that could have lead to an all out blood bath no matter WHAT breed of dog this child was feeding.

Firstly, no trainer or behaviorist I have worked with would ever feed dogs in this manner. This is a seriously dangerous way to feed a pack of dogs of any breed. One of the main triggers for dogs is food. That is why when feeding multiple dogs it is best to separate them and feed each one in it's own space with it's own bowl of food. Feeding dogs from a pile of food on the floor does not ensure each is getting the nutrition they need, it also makes fighting over food much more likely. In this case should a fight break out over food, a four year old child is caught in the middle of six large breed dogs. Using a child in this manner to prove pit bulls are just like other dogs is risky business no matter how much control you think you have over your dogs.

Secondly, after she pours the food on the floor we see the child touching the dogs while they are eating, this is also a dangerous prospect. As I mentioned before food can very quickly become a trigger for ANY dog regardless of breed. Allowing a child to move amongst dogs that are eating is bad enough allowing her to touch them as she goes could very easily become a recipe for disaster.

This video is NOT impressive, but it does perfectly illustrate how people cause situations that in turn cause dog bite incidents. The woman in this video that can be heard speaking filmed this clip with the intention of showing the world what peaceful creatures pit bulls are, she just broke every rule we trainers teach parents while doing so.

Believe me I get the need of pit bull owners to try to combat the "demon dog" label that pit bull haters have placed on these dogs. I understand the need to show the world what good dogs pit bulls can be, but I can not condone putting your four year old child into a dangerous situation to do so.

At our house, we have a large pack of dogs of all shapes and sizes. We also have strict rules for mealtimes, and I am about to share those rules with you for safety sake.

Everydogsmom's mealtime rules:

1.) make sure all dog bowls are freshly washed even if you feed kibble.

2.) make sure you have a separate food bowl for each dog in your pack.

3.) crate any dogs that have displayed food guarding in the past (four of our dogs are crated for mealtime)

4.) place proper portions for each dog in a separate food bowl.

5.) feed dogs taking care to ensure that each has a large area of "personal" space around them when eating.

6.) as each dog finishes their bowl of food make sure to remove the empty bowl so that it is not a trigger when dogs are released from mealtime.

7.) you have now responsibly fed multiple dogs.

I know the mother in this video never thought she was putting her child in danger, but to be frank the average dog owner does not understand what triggers can affect their pet. Be safe instead of sorry and let a responsible adult handle feeding time!

As for the theory that pit bulls are "just like other dogs" they can be, but this demonstration would have been just as dangerous if this child were feeding a pack of beagles. It is never a good idea to tempt fate.

A Couple of alarming trends are popping up in dog owners groups...

As a pet owner, I belong to quite a few Facebook groups which are dog related. Within these groups (which can sometimes grow to contain thousands of people) I am seeing a few very alarming trends.

Firstly, what I call the "breeding advice" trend. People within these groups will ask questions such as "how old does my dog have to be before I can breed her?" or  "I want to breed my female but my stud is no good anymore, does anyone in my area have a stud I can breed her with?" or "I have puppies for sale if anyone is interested."

This trend is alarming because it is clearly backyard breeders finding yet another way to sell their puppies online. No legitimate breeder would find a stud by trolling a Facebook group, if that's the way you find a stud for your dog you are a backyard breeder and you have no business breeding your dog. If you have to ask how old your dog has to be before breeding her, you are a backyard breeder and have no business breeding your dog. If you are selling puppies through ads in groups on Facebook you are a backyard breeder and have no business breeding your dog. The fact that these people are gathering in groups to teach each other how to exploit the family pet is pathetic and at the same time highly alarming.

Secondly, what I call the "medical advice' trend which usually consists of pet owners trying  to avoid a vet bill asking questions in the group such as "my dog won't eat has no energy and isn't breathing right what would you suggest I give him to help him?" or "my dog has blood in his pee somebody said cranberries would make it stop is this true?" and other equally ridiculous questions to which the answer is usually "see your vet."

This trend is alarming because some pets may not receive proper medical care if people listen to medical advice given over the internet by people with no qualifications. Now don't get me wrong it is great that people are getting together to share their dog ownership experiences with others. We can all help one another to learn and discuss our own experiences with the illnesses of our pets but every pet is different so that is never a substitute for taking a sick pet to the vet.