That ##%# dog!
They also said these words, " who ever takes this dog must be *^%#$# crazy!" Well guess that would be me, as I was the one meeting my new boy on the other side of the Pacific after his 12 hour flight. For those of you unfamiliar with Panda's rescue: I first read about his horrible plight on this forum almost 4 years ago. The ones responsible for his rescue from Asia were honest in regards to his issues. Aggressive with men Fear of sticks Fear of water Fear of grooming tools Fear of noises Not housebroken A biter The list went on He was three years old. The first year was difficult and lots of work. It meant desensitizing him to all sorts of things and sometimes even a min would pass and I would see it as a positive thing. Next time I would increase it to 2 mins...then 3...and so on. Eventually all his "issues" dissapeared. I always ended it on a positive note. Built trust with him. Was Patient and learned to read his body language very well. The first year was spent on desensitizing him to things he feared. The first three months was spent teaching him how to live in a house as he had never experienced it previously. His first year of life was spent on the rooftop of an apartment building viewing life from stories above Hong Kong. Then he spent his life in a small 4 by 4 cage where he had been for six months, frequently beated with sticks and hosed down with those large fireman hose. He bite one of the kennel workers who was beating him and thus recieved a death sentence. His saviours saw him and wrote about him on this site. I would spent hours in parks with him sitting beside me while we observed the traffic and neighborhood noises...traffic, lawnmowers...ect so that they no longer affected him. I would set up positive interactions with people I trusted, men especially to allow him to trust humans again. After a year and knowing I could trust him to play well with others and most importantly listen to me, he played at offleash parks. There he met with many other dogs and their people. He greeted them all with bum wiggles. I introduced one room at a time in my home and eventually he became accostomed to life inside a house. Three years later, Panda won 4th place in Canadian Pet Idol hosted by people in the movie industry. He won the hearts of the judges by his gentleness and his ability to not be distracted by the hundreds of other animal entrants and their people. There were thousands of people observing, as well as hundreds of animals walking around..parrots, donkeys, horses, dogs, cats and anything else you can imagine. The top four won prizes. It was a hot day and Panda rested in the cat house and the cats were not distressed by his presence..he just waited quietly by my side. He is the most loving, loyal and gentle dog who regularly gives kisses to the cats and bunnies in my household. Almost 4 years later..I have never experienced or viewed Panda with any of the issues he was said to have had since his first year with me. It was a year of constant watching and never ever letting my guard down even if I thought he could be trusted I didn't want to take the chance. If a potential situation came up that may have resulted in distress for him I would distract him or leave. An example of this would be those ball throwing things at the offleash park..for a while I feared he would react. Even tho we were at an offleash he was never more than a few feet away from me and I would always be aware of where he was and what was around us. As soon as someone brought out those ball throwing stick thingies I would non chanlantly walk away ..dogs pick up fear in their people so I remained calm too. Now I smile as he chases sticks, balls, and especially loves men who throw them for him! I hear his name called by everyone at the offleash park we visit..aprox 40 regulars who we see a few times a week. He greets everyone and their dogs with bum wiggles and especially loves when uprights give him pats. It was a long haul and for the first year I would rush home from work during recess and lunch to check up on him. Fortunately I worked at a school only blocks from home. In the end the hard work paid off. I'm writing this to let people know I don't have a magic touch..well not really ha ha! It just took consistency, patience and the ability to see what I was doing would pay off long term in the end. Good luck to all of you as you can teach an old dog new tricks and yes if you are patient bad habits can dissapear. Repitition and Positive Reinforcement. PSSS while I can groom him and even check his ears (that was a major issue) I still have to have him sedated at the vets for a full shave but we're continuing to make progress in that area too. My mantra is "I have the patience". 
Plays well with others 
Playing mascot during the Teachers Strike in 2005 
Fourth place in the Idol competition but first place in my heart 
Marianne |
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That brought a lump to my throat. Thank you for loving him and giving him a chance...  |
| Thank You!
I'm actually the lucky one!! Marianne and the boys - Blue, Merlin and Panda |
| What a great job you have done with him. I have not heard Pandas story before, it was realy touching. |
| Thanks for sharing your success with us. It makes me think that my boy, Cosmo will come through his fears with patience and love. Baby steps...I am always telling everyone, baby steps and eventually he will come to enjoy life on the outside. |
| I should NEVER read your stories while I am at work! I sit at my desk trying hard not to cry!
Marianne - you truely are a kind and wonderful person and I hope that one day you get your reward. |
| when i read this ,tears of what a happy ending can be, shows it is never too late ,you are my hero |
| Every story of Marianne makes me cry....
Someone started a thread recently on "how we found this forum".. it was Marianne's story of Panda that brought me here.. I was searching on OES and this is where I ended up... I called in sick that day so that I could stay home and read the whole saga............ Brenda Dudley and Murph |
There should be more people like you !  |
| You're on angel here on earth, Marianne, for Panda, for the Boy with the Ripped Jeans, and for everyone who is touched by your heart and generosity on this forum and in your life.
Thanks  |
| Marianne,
Panda is one lucky boy!! You truely are inspirational.... Panda girl will always loooove Panda boy... |
| You have done an amazing job with Panda! He is such a happy boy. |
| Panda is just precious, and I am so glad I know his story now. You are so special Marianne, you see the diamond in the rough, and it a precious stone. You continue to inspire me, thank you. |
| Your story with Panda was one of the first things I read when I came to the forum. You had only had him a few months at that time, and were still working with his issues. I was so impressed by your devotion to him and by the tremendous efforts put forth by everyone involved in his rescue, that I knew I'd found a place I wanted to stay and be a part of. Thanks for all you do for your furkids and uprights. You are an inspiration. |
| That's our PRECIOUS PANDA |
| I read Panda's story several years ago and teared up now just like I did then. A sad, happy, scary and wonderful tale that is so inspiring, thanks Marianne. |
| What a wonderful story about Panda. |
| Hi Everyone!
I had insomia last night, unable to go back to sleep I stumbled in the computer room and just started writing about my boy. Egads! I see I had numerous spelling errors..but glad people were able to read it and get my meaning anyhow. 
Thank you, thank you ,thank you for all the wonderful comments!!! However, I am being truly sincere when I say - it's not about what I did, but rather to bring to light that some dogs deserve a second chance. Some people do too! Some days it would have been easy to throw my hands up in the air and say "Urg, I give up!. It was Panda who shone and showed everyone what was underneath that rough exterior. The dog that deserved to have good food, vet care, obedience training and someone to love him. Something that all dogs should get. My intention was to show people if they are willing to put in the time and effort...results do show! Don't give up! The benefits of your hard work may not show up immediately or take weeks or months but well worth it in the end. There are several stories similar to Panda's on this forum and bless those dedicated moms and dads that worked or continue to work with their furkids! You guys are all special!  Big Hugs to All!
Marianne |
Thank you  |
| What a great story, it gives me hope still with Mitchell, I hope to have half of the success you had with Panda. |
| Marrianne, what a wonderful thing you did for Panda. It reminds us all that we are responsible for forming our animals ( family members ) into the wonderful beings that they would be if not for some miserable conditions imposed by those two legged creatures that are less than human..........Kathy |
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