Musing about Rescue
Well, here we are three weeks later and both of us survived, mostly intact. Rumi with a better definition of boundaries and a fuller understanding of what not to put in his mouth. I came out of it without scars (all bruises are healed), a little more patience and an even greater appreciation for what rescue and fostering can do for some animals. When Rumi arrived he was a full speed 90 pound puppy that believed he was in charge and he used his mouth to let you know that. Nothing in this boy is mean. But imagine if the former owner had been successful with his craigslist ad and Rumi had been placed in a home where they had no idea how to teach him to slow down or had no clue that the biting/nibbling was just poor training and not a vicious dog. I would have given him 2 days max before he was dropped at the shelter with a report that would have put him on the death list. He's still like an over stimulated toddler at times but he understands and readily agrees to quiet time in his crate. He has started picking up bones or toys to hold in his mouth when he gets excited instead of a body part. He's much better at communicating his needs without nibbling for attention. He's a good boy but it will take a strong hand to continue his training. It appears he will have just that with his new Dad. Rumi will be his 6th Sheepie. After telling him all about Rumi, he still wants the big goofball. So instead of the uncertain future Rumi may have had through Craigslist, he has been offered the Dad of a lifetime. He will live in Colorado for the next year, then off to live on a boat on the Chesapeake Bay. I think I'm ready for a break............................. |
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 Devra, thank you for saving another misunderstood OES. Laurie and Oscar, the ex-Nibbler |
| Yay for Rumi! And yay for you for doing such amazing things for him. |
| My hope for Rumi's story is that it might make someone think about rescue instead of Craigslist or other avenues. We get so many folks that find OES.ORG on web search's maybe his issues might hit home for someone else thinking of finding a home for their "difficult" baby. |
| What a great story, congrats to both of you for such a happy ending!!! |
| You have tamed the wild male! Yes, they are truly a handful and it take patience and love to form that mass of quivering energy into something "domesticated." It takes time, you've just laid the ground work. Two years, sometimes three and that wild child will be a perfect gentleman......and apparently, a sailor. Hope Dad signs on here and we can follow the boy's exploits. |
Woohoohoo! Great job, Devra  THANK YOU for all you've done for Rumi. Quote: But imagine if the former owner had been successful with his craigslist ad and Rumi had been placed in a home where they had no idea how to teach him to slow down or had no clue that the biting/nibbling was just poor training and not a vicious dog. Anyone remember the OES female that had been advertised by 3 different owners in a matter of a couple of weeks before being placed by rescues? It's not that all people are incapable of adopting a dog on their own. It's just that some may not have understood the breed or how difficult it can be if they aren't prepared for the untrained, exuberant, quirky dog that they just let loose in their living room. Good rescue people take in dogs, identify the obvious quirks or issues, then begin to transform the dog into a better companion. The dog is then matched with a family that appears ready, willing and able to continue the work. And if for some reason dog and family are not a match, the dog comes back to rescue to try again rather than being placed in another Craigslist ad or turned in to AC or a pound where the process might be repeated again. Good foster homes are invaluable! Bless all those that foster.  |
| ...and some have lives that are just too crazy to allow a young sheepdog into. Situations beyond one's control can put the sheepdog in the wrong house at that time. It's not that the people are bad, their hearts were in the right spot, some dogs are just not a fit. I think of all the homes Glacier went to after leaving our foster home. She is a super sweet dog but her other homes just could not provide what she needed or they didn't understand the nature of Great Pyrs......barking. And granted, she is not the majestic dog usually found in the breed.....she's different. Jack was that typical young male. He came knowing all his commands  but he also showed major signs of chewing on wire. Somebody loved him enough to train him but kept him in a kennel/crate/? for far too long. He was wild and dangerous. Simone was at the shelter as an 8 mo old pup, never brushed and caked in poop in mud. Still a nicer, loving dog you could not find. Many times in rescue I'd go to pick up a dog and the owners would hesitate or actually change their mind at the last minute because they loved the dog but could not keep up with the demands. Once in awhile I'd talk them out of the dog, other times I'd leave empty handed but having spent hours with the owner showing them how to groom and what all the dog needed. I know now I could not do puppy-hood again. That boat sailed. (my heart yearns for a newbie but I know better). A young male?? Not right now and maybe never again. Life situations change. It's good to know Runi is going to an experienced OES owner who is not encombered by other crazy forces and can give the dog the full attention it will require to further tame that wild beast. |
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