[pyrnet] Rescue Work, an Overview, JMO

["Barb Bowes" <bamb@monmouth.com>]

Hmm. the list has been quite active while I was at work. <G> Now,
I'll put in my buck or two. (Note, this will be a LONG post)

I've been around, owned, and loved dogs for more than 40 years.
I've been "in" Pyrs for almost 12 years. 12 years August 11, to
be exact. I've been "involved" in Rescue for about 8 or 9 years I
guess, getting in deeper as the years have gone by. I've
occasionally fostered Rescue dogs, I've helped groom them, I've
helped to nurse them back to health, both mentally and
physically. I've seen dogs in the most horrifying condition come
into Rescue and I've seen the family pets that came into Rescue
that had been well taken care of. At some point I thought I "knew
better" than those who went before me in Rescue. I was WRONG! I
have a clear and extensive understanding of dogs, their
temperaments, etc., but I learn more and more each day. First and
foremost, Rescue is a VERY emotional issue at times. I've seen
the fighting and nastiness between Rescuers first hand. I've seen
the backstabbing and heard the innuendo. There are those that I
admire greatly and those that I think are just plain jackasses.
I've learned to listen to even those I consider jackasses because
often, they are right. Even if I have little respect for someone
as a person, their years of experience in Rescue may very well
teach me something. I really wish that Rescue could just be "all
about the dogs" but it's not. It's more about the people involved
in Rescue than any one dog on any given day. People get
"involved" in Rescue for a lot of different reasons. And if they
stay in Rescue those reasons for which they first started often
change and evolve into new reasons for staying there. But the one
thing that never changes for these people is that they CARE.
About the breed and about the dogs. We all need to recognize and
respect that in each other. We also need to deal with different
personalities and different egos. Everyone has one of each.
Probably some of the most important things Rescuers do is deal
with people. All sorts of people. I've never much considered
myself to be a people person. And tact was certainly NOT my long
suit. But I've learned to deal with people and become (I hope) a
LOT more tactful. I've read ALL the emails on this subject, and
I'm very sorry that people's feelings were hurt. I certainly hope
that no one was turned away from helping with Rescue because of
this discussion. But, Rescue work IS NOT for the faint of heart.
Nor is it for the sensitive. Rescue work is long, hard and very
often heartbreaking. A thick skin is a necessity. We need, all of
us, to open our minds and listen to those who have gone before
us, because they have EXPERIENCE. We then make our own decisions,
as individuals. And, if need be, we agree to disagree. If we've
made a mistake, we admit it. If we have not made a mistake, we do
not gloat. We are all faced with new situations with each new dog
that we encounter. Somewhere along the line, a dog comes along
that is a turning point for each and every one of us. For me,
that was Milton. Milton was a 5 month old pup. I went along with
a Rescue Rep to evaluate him. We first talked rather extensively
with the family about Milton and the problems they were having
with him. He was dominant and aggressive according to the family.
Then we met Milton. He was a very sweet looking typical 5 month
old Pyr. He seemed fine, until I reached over his head to pet
him. He showed his teeth at me, I did not back off and then he
bit me. Not hard enough to break skin, but it was a bite none the
less. When Milton bit me, the gentleman raised his hand over his
head as if to strike the pup. At which point we told him not to
hit the dog. We then worked some more with Milton and found him
to be very well trained. He heeled nicely, sat and downed on
command, came over to us to pet him (we were careful to only pet
him under his chin) and he seemed fine. Even when he bit me, he
had no malice in his eyes. We felt that he had probably showed
his teeth in displeasure to the family when they did something he
did not like, and they backed off so he got his way. If he was
corrected, it was by beating him. Since he was such a young pup,
we thought that he could more than likely be turned around. He
had certainly proven that he was smart and learned very quickly.
Inside of  5 minutes he learned that if we were to pet him he
must sit first. So, the next day, he was taken in to Rescue. He
was fostered at my friend's home, the one I had ridden along with
to evaluate him. When we got him to her house we warned her
husband to be careful as he may not like men as he had been hit
before. He was fine with her husband. He was fine with all her
dogs. During the ensuing weeks they did absolutely everything to
him they could think of. They cut his nails, they bathed him, he
was crated part of the time, nothing. They put their hands in his
food and played rough with him. He was a perfect angel. The ONLY
time he showed any aggression was when he was taken in to the Vet
to be neutered. He was very stressed by the Vet's office and
started growling and showing his teeth. My friend corrected him
with a neck scruff and he stopped. A few weeks later, we were
attending a seminar on temperament testing of Shelter dogs. We
managed to get Milton worked into the program to be tested by the
instructor. We all met up at the venue. Milton was crated. He was
walked outside and given water. He was fine. When his time came
to be tested, my friend went out and got him and walked him into
the building and up to the front where the instructor had
previously tested a number of other dogs. When my friend went to
hand the leash to the instructor, Milton changed, drastically. He
started growling and showing his teeth. When the instructor
walked towards him he lunged. My friend corrected him and he sat.
The instructor (quite wisely) decided to let my friend conduct
the test. All seemed OK until she got to the part where she had
to look at his teeth and count to 10. Each successive time Milton
got more stressed. The teeth check was to occur 5 times. By the
3rd try he lunged at my friend, and he meant business! I was on
my feet in a flash! Ready to do whatever necessary to protect my
friend, but she handled it. There was no more testing needed. He
was put back in the crate. The next day he was euthanized. This
was one VERY DANGEROUS DOG! What I found to be the most amazing
thing about the whole ordeal, was not one time did he have a mean
look in his eye! He seemed to feel that he was completely
justified in his behavior. I have never seen a case of rage
syndrome, and I'm not sure if this is what it was with Milton.
This occurred just last October. Milton taught me more than all
my years in dogs. He taught me that sometimes, no matter how
experienced I am, or think I am, one day I'll meet a dog I can't
read. One that defies all logic. And he taught me to be
exceedingly careful and to be ever vigilant with ANY Rescue dog.
Milton was a hard lesson learned, for all of us involved, but it
was a well learned lesson and one I'll NEVER forget. And as much
as I HATE the fact that a good dog may die, it is far better than
to place in a home, one that could be dangerous and have tragic
consequences. This may sound harsh, and I don't mean it to be,
but it is reality. Merri, you have done a very kind and loving
thing by getting this dog and providing him the care and
attention he needs. He may truly be a wonderful dog. And I
certainly hope he is just that. But I will ask you to be very
careful. Milton was only 5 months old and 60 lbs. This dog is
older and quite a bit more powerful. We may not all say it the
same way, but we wish for you and this dog the best. We just want
to be sure that you, your family and those he will come in
contact with will be safe. And please keep us updated on how he
is getting along.

Barb Bowes
Bo & Chelsea (Pyrs), Flopsy (Pyr Shep) & Machin (Doxie)
The more people I meet, the more I like my dog!
bamb@monmouth.com