Confessions of a First Time Foster

Message from Marilyn:

“Well, we have one boy missing part of his ear and an open wound on his tummy. One looks to have had a broken leg, but never set and has lots of open sores on his little butt. One of the boys is doing okay…but, will not come to anyone…likes the other dogs in the house. None of them will freely come to anyone.

I have the female…six years old, missing teeth, horrible ears, but they are cleaning up okay. She is so petrified that she won’t come near us, but I can catch her and hold her now. She has been sleeping lots now. At first she just paced. I think she is exhausted and likes small places where she can curl up into a ball.

We had to tranquilize our little girl, who is now called Miss Darcy in order to get a Vet exam. She seems healthy enough, but so afraid and won’t look at any of us. My Vet calmed her enough to see her teeth. She is so nervous she bites on her tongue until it bleeds, but that seems to be less now.

I have had un-socialized dogs before and she is one of the worst yet. They do not walk on a leash…just tug and pull and bronco around the yard. My Vet said they are feral dogs and only time, love, patience will help and that she may never look at us…but, I have high hopes. Of course, none are house trained…but, we can work on that too. She poops by the door, so good sign and to tell the truth, I don’t really care about that…I cry when I hold her she is like a stiff board and shakes.”