Degenerative Myelopathy-The Reality

 In all of my blog posts regarding Athena I have described Athena's journey.
There is a difference between reading/hearing about it and living it or experiencing it.

This video is 24 minutes or so. It's essentially chronicling Athena's life from adoption to her battle with DM.   
This is what she lived & how she was until the end.

Bye Bye June

at play care

In the world of the pups, time is flying!     

I was just re-reading what we posted last time and it feels like a lifetime ago.   

When we brought home Volos all those months ago, I never thought this house would turn anymore crazy than what the cattle dogs already made it.  I was so wrong. 

The past few weeks have been INSANE!    Volos, once petrified and awkward on stairs, regularly flies up and down them with Peryn.    They all go NUTTS when they want to play.   Lada and Peryn were bad, but Volos makes it insanity.   

He and Peryn spend their free time running up and down the stairs barking at one another and playing.   It seriously is crazy.   For 2 dogs that don't seem like BFFs, they sure love heading downstairs to play.   
   


Part of me is grateful as Peryn isn't bugging me as much now that he has a partner downstairs with him, but Volos is sooooo LARGE.   

hanging out together

Larger than life in his enthusiasm and energy. He's large-in size and soo uncoordinated.   He really is a 1 dog wrecking ball.   

At day care they tend to hang out near each other when just chilling and don't fight--Volos has even slowly started to open up to attention from other dogs.  Before we know it, it'll be like Duchess.   Once a loner to a playful big thing. 

Volos FINALLY got on the couch!! Well, he had help the first 2 times and he had no issues any time after.    He was wanting attention from Mommy and she assisted getting him up on the couch. HE LOVED IT.   He was able to lie there and relax while getting loving from Mommy.   

Handsome brothers

Now we just indicate we want him up and he jumps up for cuddles.    I finally have my cuddle dog!  Lada is not pleased that he is getting more attention, but as long as she can plop herself down on the other side of me--she'll deal.

Invisible Fence. They all got it down, but Peryn will test the limits at times.  Especially if a ball is involved. He's pretty good and coming back in, but he still will go over the line. 
Lada and Volos are good and there are no worries there. 

Running around play care

chatting it up with a buddy

Athena is doing ok.  The weakness in her front legs is a bit more noticeable, but she still has some great days. Now that the weather is nicer and I'm working from home, she has had a few days outside with her siblings after work.   
She really is happiest when she is with them.   She still gets some time downstairs, but I try to keep it more to outside.  She enjoys outdoors more than in doors..especially with all the walkers. 

She goes to day care at least once a week for a max of 3 
hours.  It depends on how she was the day before and how she was throughout the day (usually Fridays).   We try not to over due it too much.    She loves it.    

She's hanging on & still has a fighting spirit.  We still see the signs of decline in how she holds (or doesn't) hold herself while in her cart as well as when she barks.  There is a weakness there that you can just hear.   

She still loves to eat and play--so as long as that is still there-- she'll be sticking around.      We really really are thankful to have had her for as long as we have.  We didn't think she'd be with us going into July.  

Two Happy Puppers

Isn't he handsome

Athena...get outta her way!

Pupdate: June 8 2020

Another pupdate here.   It's been about 2 weeks since we last posted and a bunch of things have happened with our Pack.   SO let's get to it.


Peryn & Volos -  I don't remember if I indicated that the two of the have a somewhat adversarial relationship.   It escalated again last week and the fur was flying.    At this point in time, Volos is the continuing problem.   Peryn has taken to giving him a wide berth when they aren't playing.    Volos growls almost every time Peryn is in his line of site.   We're working on curtailing that.   


Volos-- he's our little klepto.  If he sees it and wants it, it's taken. He loves to take my shoes. In fact, I just today noticed a hole in them.   Mind you this is after I retrieved

both pair from his stash.  He has no shame, if he can reach it --it becomes his.     It's funny and annoying. 
He tends to pull on the laces of our shoes, making them close up real tight.  The hole...not sure if it was him or me.     

He still loves playing with his toys.   He spends his mornings in Rich's office, rolling his  Wobble Wag Giggle Ball (WWGBall from here on out).  He plays with the stuffed toys and barks.  He's such a freaking happy dog.     

He's a regular at play care now and that's a work in progress.   He also regularly runs down the stairs now to go play with the other two. Is favorite thing to do is to collect the smaller balls and hoard them.      Such a silly boy.

Peryn is Peryn. Still loves heading for the basement to play with his herding ball.   He will be down there whether or not he has company.    Ball is life with him.     When Volos comes down and tries to play with the herding ball, Peryn backs off to let him.      

Peryn has taken on some mannerisms that Duchess had.   He didn't do some of the stuff before, but now that she is gone he does.   

And speaking of Duchess..... don't think for one second that we don't think about her. We miss her so much.   That girl was one of a kind.

Lada-- Little girl is just like always.  She's still possessive of Mommy. Still loves to play with tennis balls. Loves playing with her big brother.   Loves lying with Sissy.     She's also proven herself to be such a good girl.   Still a bit psycho at times, but more protective and better behaved.

Athena!   Girl is still going strong.  2.5 years in and she's still got spirit.  That being said, there is a slow decline that we are noticing. The muscles around her lungs are getting weaker. We can hear it in her barks.  Some days they are wheezy and weak and others a lot stronger.    Her front legs are definitely declining.  She only seems to be able to hold herself up when she's running in her cart. If she's stopped, she tends to bow forward. 

She still goes to play care for a few hours once a week. It all depends on the days leading up to and the day of.  

Unfortunately the depression that accompanies the later stages of the disease is also noticeable.   Throughout most of the illness, she's had a pretty happy attitude.  She  never seemed to let it get her down.  As of late i see it.  It's heartbreaking and it mostly happens the days the dogs are at play care.   It's heart breaking.  

But what isn't heart breaking is that she's still here with us. We really didn't think she'd still be here at this time of year.  She took such a drastic turn in January, we thought at that rate she'd be gone in a few months.   She sure showed us.  

We have been wanting to get Invisible Fence for the yard for some time. We're not allowed traditional fences, so we decided we would invest in IF.   The biggest hold up has been the lot next to us. We wanted to wait until that lot was built before we got it installed.  The lot was sold when we moved in 10 months ago, but it wasn't until last month that they began building. 

Now that they're working on the inside, we got the IF installed.  We're on week 2 and this is how it goes on the training:

Athena--no collar.

Lada-- This smart little cookie got it.  She's 98% trained.   Such a good girl.   Discovered it while playing fetch with the chuck it over the weekend.  She knows what the boundaries are and what will happen. She won't chase a ball that rolls over the line.     
The real test would be her reaction to the animals she sees like the deer from a few weeks ago.    We have yet to test it against her prey drive.   Otherwise she's pretty much good to go.

Volos--Yeah he's what they consider a Self trainer.  His history and his reaction to the correction indicates he may have had some correction training in the past.    He gets buzzed once--training is over. He wants inside. Know what else doesn't help--he's not a fan of the heat.   
First dog I have ever had that does NOT want to be outside in the sun.       So trying to train him has been a chore.   
They are going to give him an additional warning beep to alert him so he has time to react before correction.   

We'll keep you posted.

Peryn. Peryn. Peryn.  Have I ever told you he's stubborn? Well his breed is stubborn and hardy.   One thing we learned about the breed and their hardiness was they could be injured and you wouldn't know. They're just built that way..tough. They are meant to work with cattle so they need to have thick skins.

Those of you who have met Peryn have seen his reaction to ball.   He has laser focus and it's all about the ball. Those two factors together have made training a bit tough. 

He's heard the beep. He's heard the correction. Yet he doesn't give a damn.    Today we went to train with distractions (IE BALL).   Dude is so laser focused on the ball, he didn't feel the correction.   The training correction did nothing--he totally ignored it. The up one level, which we did at first, did nothing when he was focused on something like getting to the ball.    The next setting--gets his attention.   SO we've had to start over to get him aware of the boundaries so he can learn to avoid them.     
Small progress, but progress none-the-less.     
Stubborn fool.

Athena & Lada

Volos plotting to take the bone

We're all having fun

Volos & Athena in the bedroom

Be Careful What you Wish For.....

Hanging out with the girls

Can you believe it's the end of May already?   Volos has been with us for 4 months and this dog is unrecognizable. 

I just re-read day 3 & day 4 entries about him and just had to laugh.    Don't know who that dog was, but it sure is heck not Volos.     

Now, not all has been rosy and Peryn & Volos did get into recently that required Peryn seeing the vet because of an injury.   It's been touch and go with their getting along, however new circumstances may actually change that.

So, I used to comment how when I worked in my office, Volos wouldn't come in to lay with the rest of the pups.   Then eventually it happened.  

I used to wish Volos would be a bit more playful. He would sneak a toy here or there, but wasn't really all that playful.   Then he discovered the wonders of his Wobble Wag Giggle Ball.  That dog is insane over that ball.    It is his most favorite thing.    Additionally, he loves collecting toys.   
Yaay--another wish fulfilled.

We went for months not hearing a peep out of him.  He barks now.  Yay!

Thanks to this stay at home/quarantine thing, I've been working from home every day since the end of March.    For awhile it was good. I would work from home and the days that there was no play care, they all slept until my lunch time or end of day.  (Or a conference call).     IT's been pretty good and funny that they know my schedule enough to start bugging me.   

Getting comfy in his sleep

WELLLLLL....   Volos has decided as of late that he'll sleep the first part of the morning and then around 9-10 am he becomes animated and playful.   When he plays, he barks.  He barks at his ball or whatever toy he's playing with.       So it'll start with him playing for a bit with his ball across the hall.   Then he gets up and comes over to me wanting me to play with him.     

This in turn, riles up Peryn & Lada and then we have 3 hyper dogs wanting to play.     It was cute the first few times...... NOT SO MUCH NOW.           

This has led us to begin working with the Play Care to get Volos used to them.   Last Friday, he went in for a few hours and then I picked him up to bring home.   

He went again for several hours on Thursday.  It was a slow day, so he was there for 6 hours.   He did very well.      Yesterday he went the whole day.       

Wanting him to start going to day care has a few motivations behind it.   First, it helps him socialize in a different setting with different people and dogs.        Secondly, it gets him out of the house and away from bugging me to death.   Thirdly, I had a hope.       When he went last week, it was when Peryn was stuck at home because of his injured paw.   He was at day care with only Lada. 

My hope was that this week with Peryn returning, they might bond. I saw it with the dogs when it was Duchess, Athena, Peryn & Lada..   They tended to bond  and hang out together at day care.   I think that is one reason that pack was the most bonded and got along so well.   They relied on one another all the time.   

Well, below you will find photos taken by the day care of yesterday's outcome.   Let's hope things stay that way!! 

Athena's doing well. Still full of life and energy.  Her body's been cooperating for the most part.   We really did not think she was going to last this long based on how things were going in January.     We're happily surprised.   We love this girl so much. 

Peryn & Lada are the same.   Hyper as always, but loving and trying to figure out how Volos fits in.

One thing that has truly helped is that Volos is now a regular in the basement.  They run down, he often times is right behind them.       

He's often playing fetch down the stairs as well.    He really is such a happy dog and obviously knows he's part of the pack. He sleeping in the bedroom often and wanting to be in the middle of E V E R Y T H I N G.

This dog is definitely not the dog we brought home. 

Volos' admirer

Hanging out

Hanging out

Add caption

Brothers

The Family

SAY IT AIN'T SO!!

Athena Pupdate March 11

Athena 2017

Degenerative Myelopathy- Athena's Progression from the beginning

Witnessing the progression of this disease has been a chore.  I guess we're blessed that we initially thought it was related to her puppy mill background and living in a small cage most of her earlier life.  

EARLY STAGES: Too minute to tell.... A little clumsiness. Trouble taking the stairs...

This was 2017. When she began the limping, we just made her rest or take a break.  When the occasional knuckling began-- we made her rest and skip play care'. All thoughts were how her life sucked before and how it's affecting her now.   No indication it could be anything other. 

Her favorite spot, on her "Throne"

Early to Mid Stage:
Regular scraping of the feet/nails.  Coordination off-back legs wobbly-shaky back legs, Knuckling almost all the time. Loss of muscle mass. Back legs begin to cross.  Difficulty getting up

In Late October /Early November in 2018 when day care mentioned she was seen limping, we didn't think anything of it. Until the next day when her walking was no longer normal.     

Took her to the vet and he did some x-rays. He found severe arthritis in 70% of her spine & joints.   We expected that and began giving her medications for that reason.   

She'd have good and bad days. Some days the little "roach" as I called her could take off and be faster than me.  Other days she needed assistance. 

Over the next five months we'd struggle with getting her up and down as it seemed to get worse. Purchased a harness to help up assist in getting her up and down.

She would struggle to get up, truggle to walk, or sometimes she would walk dragging her paws, knuckling under. Other days she would walk weird, but she could move fast. Blink and you would miss her. IF she was pulling her legs, forget it. She was gone.
We began having to assist her up and down the stairs during this time frame.  Her legs were constantly crossing when we would stand her on her feet.  Walking they would begin to cross.  


Mid Stage- Urinary or Fecal Incontinence or both, Weakness. More muscle mass loss. Weight loss.  Jerkiness of movements. Very noticeable loss of coordination. Tail hanging limp. Unable to move out of certain positions. Muscle atrophy

Early 2019-June 2019

We begin to find nuggets. During her sleep she would "lay eggs".   She more often than not needed assistance to walk. Struggles to hold herself up when going to the rest room.   During this time we also moved from a colonial to a ranch.  She is able to move throughout the house easier, still not normal, but she isn't barking because she was left behind on a floor.    

During this time we also get her a cart.   Things are looking up! She has a new way of life. The more comfortable she is with the cart, the speedier she becomes.  At first when using the cart, she can use her legs as well.  
So as she moves around, she is using her legs--getting them exercised.   

Then the knuckling begins and stays. She is no longer able to use her legs while in the cart as she is tearing up her paws.   We begin putting her legs up in boots/harness.
She is happier. Without her legs slowing her down, she is Speed Racer.  

THE POSITION

She begins attending play care again.   

We also begin allowing her to play downstairs with her siblings in the basement.  When the weather turns colder and wetter, we are unable to play in the backyard.  Downstairs is her favorite place.  She gets excited and pulls herself to the stairs when she hears the cattle dogs playing.  

It is also during this stage that she often ends up "In the Position".  This is a position that she will at first occasionally end up in and as time goes by OFTEN ends up.   Her legs lock on her and end up straight out.   This position also invites an easier time for those chocolate eggs to make their way out should she either be left too long in this position or she becomes excitable when in it.      This position REQUIRES our assistance to get her out. 


Sept-January
Slowly over time we begin to notice she's losing muscle mass/fat all over. She's frail looking and you can feel her bones.    

Attending Play care

She also begins to weaken when going outside. More often than not requires assistance getting up from the position she fell in.    Still only has Fecal Incontinence.

She's so bony, we take her to the vet for a review.   It's all disease related--she's still fine.  Still mentally alert and playful. 

Seems depressed on the days the siblings are gone. Sleeps all day.

Advanced-late Stage   Urinary and Fecal Incontinence, hindlimp paraplegia, complete immobility, inability to rise. Sudden Collapse. Unable to support themselves in any way.  Front end weakness begins (shoulders/legs). Can no longer squat when urinating and defacating. Cannot stand long without support.

Holding her leg out

February - Current.  

It started while she was in the cart.  I noticed she was holding herself weird.   A few times there were the possibility of some stumbles while in the cart.  When she's in her cart and moving, she's happy and a little spazz. Don't get in her way.   

However when she's not moving, she holds herself weird. It looks like she's tired and trying to rest on one leg/take the weight off the one. 

The past few weeks she no longer can hold herself up when she goes to the rest room.   She needs assistance all the time now.      With the cart, she's fine for the most part, but out that's another matter.
We often find her stuck somewhere when we come home from being out. She attempts to get up and falls down. She can't get out of that position so she will stay there. Oftentimes she's defecated and now squished or smeared it into the floor.   She's had more baths than she ever had before. 

Her awkward stance

The past two nights-she wet the bed.   She has NEVER done this before.   She's always had a strong bladder, so this is concerning.       

Through all this though, she's still alert and responsive. That is the worst about all of this.      

We're carefully watching the front leg /shoulder situation. We've discussed her and the stages of this disease.   We do not want to enter the crisis stage when the disease begins to affect her breathing.   We do not want her to suffer.

We've decided once she can no longer move herself around in her cart, when her front legs don't work anymore that THAT is the finish line.

She lives to get attention from humans and dogs alike.  SHE LOVES to play with her pack.  She loves to meet up with other dogs.  Once that joy is taken from her, there is no more quality of life.   I even wanted to discuss getting wheels for the front of the cart, but Rich said no.   We agreed and when she can no longer do it on her own, we'll say Goodbye.

At this rate, we're estimating only a few months more.   We'll just keep watching those front legs and shoulders and keep hoping she is enjoying her life. 


The stage we will NOT allow her to be in: Crisis — Immediate veterinary assistance needed regardless of the disease

• Difficulty breathing
• Prolonged seizures
• Uncontrollable vomiting/diarrhea
• Sudden collapse
• Profuse bleeding — internal or external
• Crying/whining from pain*

Pupdate: March 4-8 2020

It's March already!   Time is sure flying fast.    Let's get on with the Pupdate as there is much to discuss.
Lada is doing much better. Took a few days to relax before she started acting like her old self.   She's been doing much much better.  I don't know what exactly was wrong (a virus?), but she's back to her cute little hyper self.  

Lada helping me pick up groceries

   She went for follow up blood work yesterday and we're waiting for the results to see if the liver#s were related to her illness or indicative of another issue.

She's even more comfortable around Volos. She snapped at him when he attempted to get cuddles from me.  No one-- Nothing touches her Mommy.  I am HERS!  She was polite and allowed him to get in cuddles the past month, but no more.   

She ignores him mostly except for when it is time for sharing me.---There is NO SHARING.  She's actually been clingier since this incident.   She definitely is keeping an eye on Mommy.

He's shown some interest in her--sniffing at her when she's near, but he's not initiated any contact--kind of.

Who's in charge?

Peryn-- has been his typical self.  Wants to play ball. Wants to play with Volos when he gets excited and runs while outside.   He's also been more affectionate.  Now that there is competition, he comes for more hugs and kisses than he ever has before.   

He really wants Volos to play and I want that too.   I'm hoping one day soon I can report that. In the meantime  Peryn is still his intense self and would love nothing more to play with his ball or burger..and just fetch.  Dude is definitely high strung. 

Lada & Athena 

Athena-- Athena is Athena.  Her back legs are, pardon the pun, on their last legs. She's struggling more and more on her hind legs.     She is still doing well in the cart, so it's not the end yet.     This disease is horrible though. Watching her waste away and not being able to be independent much anymore.       She really is still so bony to touch.   I give her as much love as I can. She still craves the affection and still barks when the dogs play.  So the Athena we know and love is still in there.

Again, the 2 of them

Taking her outside to use the bathroom is a chore.  Her legs are locked forward and crossed. It is a real struggle to pull them back and separate them.   It is putting a crimp in getting her to use the bathroom outside because she tries not to go while her tail is in the way or she's sitting down. 

However that's exactly what happens.      It's frustrating as we get her situated and 1 bump or movement and her legs are back to their normal position.   Holding her up by the handle with one hand while fighting her legs with the other is hard on the back.   

She's still quite mentally engaged. Barks ANYTIME anyone is having fun without her.  She had her time at day care on Friday and she was beat afterwards.   Slept hard, but she's over it and is very alert.  

We have started using the diapers we bought a bit ago on her.  it's been a bit of a necessity as of late, so on they go.  She's been really good with them on, but we're using them for the days she won't be good.



Volos-- So much to say.  Let's start with the biggest. HE BARKED!!!!  Thursday after work while sitting in my office, the window was open to let some fresh air in. Lada began barking, which started Athena and then Peryn. Out of nowhere a new bark sounded.   I thought I was hearing things and turned to watch and he opened his mouth and barked again.   It made me happy.   He then barked on Friday morning.   Lada was chasing a toy that I was throwing for her and it was annoying him so he barked at her.    

He also got a harness this week.   Freaked him out when I showed it to him because he had no clue what it was.  Once I calmed him down & put it on him--he looked handsome and walks better in the harness than when the leash was clipped to the collar.

Car rides!!

He's definitely more affectionate and interacts with the family more.   He has his moments where he still hangs out in his room--but he is expanding his terrain. 

Training him--that's still on hold. He's not focused enough or relaxed enough to attempt to teach him his basics.    He does know his schedule and his yard boundaries though.   

I get much more hug and cuddle time out of him.    I'm hoping to work our way to when he'll lie down next to me and cuddle.         

Volos & Lada waiting for Daddy to come in

He would prefer to just hang outside in the cool air

Mommy trying hard to get a pic of me

Volos, Athena & Lada

Athena Pupdate February 21

On Wednesday I took Athena & Volos on a small walk in the neighborhood.  Athena was sort of dragging.  I know she has her days, so I didn't dwell on it too much.   

I have noticed that she is ending up on her butt more and more. Yes she can walk and be very quick some days, but a majority of her time is ending up on her butt and needing assistance.

Friday morning as we were getting her ready in her cart and she wasn't standing right. She had her front legs forward & out a big (like a V).  She wouldn't necessarily stand up right.    While it could be that she's tired, it also has a bit worried.  

I checked in on her while at day care and she was doing it a bit with her one leg.   So something we definitely need to keep an eye on.   

She came home all happy and alert. We took her out of her cart and got her settled onto her bed.  It was also one of the rare nights that we go out.   

We were gone for maybe 3 hours and when we came home, it was a disaster.  Athena was found in the kitchen--on the floor-- stuck.  Not only that, she was on the hard flooring where there is no carpet AND to make matters EVEN BETTER.... she had gone #2.   

Gone #2 and smeared it all under her and on the floor in her efforts to get up. It was smelly, gross, and a big mess!   Rich took her out and then immediately she got a very thorough bath and I was stuck with cleaning up the smeared, dried, and nasty smelling stuff.

Poor girl. Don't know how long she was there like that. Such a traumatic experience followed up by a bath. 

Moodwise today she's still her energetic and alert self, but physically she's feeling yesterday.    I've decided to give her a break from playing this week.  I think she needs to recuperate.   Additionally we need to make sure this isn't a progression of the disease instead of just being tired.   


Progression of the disease means her timeline is shortening.  When she is no longer able to hold herself up or play in the cart, her quality of life will be non-existent.   So keep her in your thoughts.




EDIT: 2/23/2020  Today is a very bad day. She cannot stay on her legs at all. This morning when we went outside, it was a long struggle.   Inside the house hours later, she's can't hold herself up or walk or stand.   

Either this is an off day, which we hope or it's the progression of the disease (which is more likely)

Enjoying play care

Time out nap with Lada & Lada's BFF

Athena with Lil Bro

Rescues...

I think prior to Volos we had it pretty easy with the dogs we've adopted & raised.   Our first abused dog was Sheba who was 6 months at the time.  She was wary of men and would become agitated at anyone "throwing" or doing the throwing motion.   She flourished with us and was extremely protective of us.   Other than that, she was a good dog and had no other big issues, outside of "puppy" issues.

Athena was our second dog with issues.  Assumed puppy mill escapee-since she was found outside- from the visual evidence it appeared as such.  She was underweight, had infections all over, was missing skin off her backside, and had "callouses" on her underside and elbows from where she rested all the time. Additionally she had distended teets.  We were lucky with her.  She was a joy. She craved attention and loved being doted on. She struggled with stairs-never having done them and long walks and running-as she rarely used them.  While we rehabbed her back to health-struggling with house training--she did well.   Once we able to get her strong enough, she loved going to the dog parks and running with all the dogs. That's all she did and she was happy.    We really had it easy with her.

Right now we are struggling as we deal with the Degenerative Myelopathy. Having to assist her in getting up, walking, going outside, cleaning up after her, making sure she eats--it's a lot of work.  We love her and she's still all mentally there, so we're going to work to let her enjoy her life as long as the disease holds off.  

Back when I still lived with my parents our family dog Max had DM.   Then it was pretty much a death sentence. When he got to the point where he was unable to hold himself up, we had to say goodbye.  Times are much different and there are so many resources at our fingertips.  

The sad thing is though, there are so many people out there that when they get a dog--don't "sign up for" this stuff. When the dog becomes older and begins having Senior dog problems, they take then to be put down or surrender them to a shelter.    What is even worse, there are those who get a puppy or dog without doing ZERO research and return the puppy/dog when they begin to act the say they are bred to.    I see so many Cattle Dog postings for people returning them because they were mouthy or they were herding their children.   THEY WERE BRED FOR THAT!!!!    All some people see is a cute puppy and they want it---end of story.  This is a disservice to the dog and to the people who adopt.  

Foster parents and any person willing to take on the special cases-- to give them a chance at having a good home/life are amazing.  While we could never foster, we welcome dogs into our home --even special cases.

he came into the office willingly

Volos is a special case. We've been pretty fortunate with every single dog we've had before him.  We brought them home and soon integrated them seamlessly into our family.   Volos is the first dog where we have to give him space.   Whomever had him before obviously frightened him terribly.  His flinches when you move a certain way.  He runs from the littlest things. It is killing me that this sweet dog is so terribly frightened.

In my last blog post I mentioned I've been running into some issues with him.   It's very hard not to let it get to me.   I've been spoiled in the past that the dogs we've rescued have been welcoming to be loved on and gotten over any fears rather quickly.     Volos--he loves attention. He still likes it from me--but he's not skittish around me and it kills me.    Believe me I'm aware it takes time --all I want to do is sit there and hold him and just pet him all night long.   I know he wants that--but getting from where he is to that seems like a long way. He's not even been here a month and he still has possibly months before he'll feel at home...hopefully.   

I know he was meant for us. I firmly believe if anyone else had taken him home, they may have given up on him already. He obviously feels more secure with Rich and that is good.   It's just hard to sit back and give him time and space.  Peryn so badly wants to play with him-but Volos isn't there.

There are good signs-- he'll happily greet me in the morning or when I come home.  He has been sneaking toys or my slipper.  He shares the same bowl as the rest of the pack.  Outside he will love up on me like there is no tomorrow. He loves to be out in the snow. 

It's just the isolation that he keeps himself in--saddens me.   Right now he's across the hall in Rich's office, lying there alone.   Peryn is in the basement and the other 2 are in my office with me.   If I were to get up and go to him, he'd leave his room.   I don't want to make him uncomfortable so I don't.   I do pop my head in to talk to him sweetly and give treats--and it is so hard not to try to get him to love up on me like he did a week ago.  

Hoping it's just a phase or maybe a reaction to the pain from his surgical sites.   I really adore this dog and it kills me that we've taken steps backward.    I know this is requiring patience and I will give him the space, but part of me just wishes we could FFWD to that day already…

He really is an easy dog overall.  He is super quiet—still have yet to hear him bark.  He stays out of the way and doesn’t beg. He’s mostly house trained.  He only asks for attention ever so often and we’re happy to give it.   Putting our wants and wishes aside to make him comfortable and help him feel safe is all that matters now.