Results: Our Rescue Dog Experience (Part 3 of 3)
Published on 03/18/2024
When we wanted to get a new rescue dog, we adopted an anxious female whose nervous manner had made her unadoptable for over 2 years. When foster mom Tammy drove an hour to our home and dropped off our new dog, we were excited to take on the challenge. Here is Part 3.
QUESTIONS
GO to COMMENTS
Comments
1.
1.
When Tammy was ready to leave, she surprised me by saying, "If it doesn't work out, I'll take her back". I would not have expected someone to be that proactive about resuming responsibility for a dog. Her offer was genuine, as I noticed she did not cash my check for 3 months . . . making sure the anxious dog had found her forever home. Do you think her asking for $200 for a mature mutt helps ensure that new pet owners don't have ill intentions for the dogs they adopt?
Yes, it's less likely they would spend that much money to use the dog for something that would harm it.
27%
558 votes
Yes, it shows potential owners have a genuine interest in adopting.
34%
710 votes
I'm unsure.
16%
343 votes
No, it's no guarantee of pure intentions.
11%
228 votes
No, it proves nothing.
8%
161 votes
N/A
22%
455 votes
2.
2.
The day of her arrival was the only night the dog slept in her crate. We left the crate door open, and the next evening she abandoned it for her spacious and comfy bed in a corner. Now now she is liable to plop down and sleep anywhere in the apartment . . . except on the kitchen linoleum, which she avoids because of its slippery nature. Does/did your dog dislike walking on certain textures?
I never had a dog.
12%
254 votes
Unsure
12%
255 votes
No
16%
338 votes
N/A
39%
814 votes
Yes
21%
439 votes
3.
3.
About a year later, Tammy asked if she might stop by to see how the dog was doing. She was very happy to see that with consistency, patience, and loving care, we had made great progress regarding her anxiety. She still hates standard stuff like fireworks, and thunder & lightning. More atypically, she freaks out over squeaking floor boards or footsteps coming from the overhead apartment. Have you ever seen an excessively anxious dog?
Yes, I had one.
13%
271 votes
Yes
25%
528 votes
Unsure
16%
326 votes
No
21%
438 votes
N/A
26%
537 votes
4.
4.
Our Plott hound/Australian cattle dog rescue has evolved into a pretty perfect pet. (Please right-click on the photo and click on "Open image in new tab" to expand the photo and SEE HER.) She sleeps until the alarm clock wakes us, has no "accidents", only barked once in 3 years (at a pesty Labrador), revels in her 3 daily walks, enthusiastically engages with people and other dogs, and dozes under my desk as I write surveys. Are you surprised this anxiety-ridden mutt turned into such a happy and compatible companion?
I knew you could do it.
32%
678 votes
I was hopeful.
22%
457 votes
You lucked out.
10%
217 votes
It's unexpected, for sure.
6%
118 votes
I'm shocked.
2%
33 votes
N/A
28%
597 votes
COMMENTS