Dog adoption

Nigel and his den (crate)

One of the first things we have noticed with Nigel is that he will not enter (what used to be) Ray’s wire crate. That crate was Ray’s “safe zone” in that nobody touched him when he was in there. Given that it might be necessary to put Nigel in there at some point, our thinking was to repeat the Ray perspective i.e. If you go in there, you are quite safe and nobody will approach you.

In this situation, training typically involves throwing treats in and encouraging the dog to go in after them. Nigel is highly food motivated but, unless he can reach in to get the treat (and with his feet staying outside the crate), then the treats just stay there. It is interesting to watch him assess the treats from different perspectives as he walks around the crate. We have no doubt that he will soon go in quite happily, and perhaps even chill there periodically, but it is going to take some time.

We were talking today with our contact at the Dog Guides and we learned an interesting piece of Nigel’s history. Apparently, he was adopted some time ago by a couple who decided to move from Ontario to Alberta to be with their children and very young grandchildren. The grandchildren (3) were all under 3 years old and there developed a problem with Nigel. His idea of interacting was likely quite rough when considering such young children. After some nipping and scratching, it was decided that Nigel would have to be returned to the Dog Guides here.

Taking that history in the context of his crate behaviour with us, I cannot help but wonder whether his final period in Alberta was spent in a crate? One can only speculate what his previous owners were thinking when they decided to move so far away and into an environment with such young children but, as I often said about Ray’s start to life …. His previous owners have no idea what a very special dog he turned out to be and, just like Ray, Nigel’s previous owners’ lack of foresight and consideration of his needs, simply became our treasure.

“C’mon guys. Who could not love me eh?”

Our Education Begins!

Two aspects of Nigel have become immediately apparent.

1. He loves physical contact. His preference seems to be caressing under his chin, but this is closely followed by the top of his head; any neck area, shoulders and along his spine. The only area which he does not invite is his tummy area. He has no problem with a tummy rub, but does not roll over and invite such.

He also gives as readily as he receives. He has met a few people for the first time (who were clearly dog lovers), and had no reservations about reaching up to lick their faces! In our case, he so readily also licks hands and pretty much anything else within reach of his gentle tongue.

2. When we are sitting down and he wants to chill out, it is invariably on the floor at our feet. There does appear to be a strategy here in that he will place his head on (or up against) one of our feet. Any slight movement on our part triggers an alert on his part.

This could be simply him making sure that wherever we go, he has the chance to decide what he wants to do, but I rather suspect that this is trained into him. It would seem very important that a guide dog be always in contact with its owner and, while we know that Nigel was deemed to need a “Career Change”, I have to wonder whether that constant contact was in fact trained into him. Regardless, it is a positive boon because we always know where he is. (Memories of the opposite personality …. “Have you seen Ray lately? Did you leave any food on the counter in the kitchen?”).

“You think these front legs are long? You should see my back ones!”

The Heartworm Dilemma.

As many of you already know, Ray’s first medical checkup after moving in with us tested positive for heartworm. Further testing produced an assessment of Stage 2 (Stage 4 is considered terminal) which could possibly be treated. The cost was high and the process could kill him; the treatment period was long at 6 months, and he would have to be kept as calm as possible throughout the treatment period to give him the best chance of surviving it. Euthanization was also an option.

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Dog Adoptions!

There have been a number of Posts recently that address the “Adopt don’t shop” mantra, or have otherwise promoted the humane value in adopting from a shelter. A lot of people are instinctively wary of adopting a rescued dog because of a perception that it will be trouble. Continue reading →

Four Years Ago!

Four years ago yesterday, we saw Ray’s adoption notice and, after a brief discussion, decided to take him out for a short walk. He was, not surprisingly, quite indifferent to us. He didn’t know us after all and, at that time, people in general were not his favorite species of creature! Continue reading →