How I Got Here
I was brought to an animal rescue in July 2022. I was so scared that they didn’t even put me in the kennel runs with the other sheltered dogs. They thought I needed more quiet so they let me stay in an adoption condo up front. They left me food and turned down the lights but all I wanted to do was hide in a corner. So they decided to send me to a foster home…
I was driven to a home where I lived with a very nice lady. There were no other animals or people, so it was very quiet…but I still just wanted to hide. My foster mom had to leave a leash attached to me to lure me outside to go potty, but still, I wouldn’t move or stand.
The doctors at the rescue said I needed some medication to help with my severe anxiety. But I needed to be eating in order to take them. My foster mom tried everything to get me to take my medicine but I was just to terrified to eat and I was starting to loose a lot of weight. So they brought me back to the veterinary clinic at the rescue where they DO NOT mess around! That vet marched right over, opened my mouth and popped those pills right down my throat. Then she gave me a kiss and tossed me a treat….which I sneakily ate much later while no one was watching.
Foster home number 2:
I spent 2 weeks at this home where I lived mostly in the bathroom because that’s where I felt safe. They hand fed me and carried me outside to use the potty. They also made sure I took my meds regularly, even if that meant using that rude trick from the veterinary clinic. I got used to it, and after about 2 weeks there, I started to get a little bored in the bathroom. So I joined the rest of their pack in the family room, garden, and on this HUGE cushy bed at night.
Foster home number 3:
That foster family couldn’t keep me long so I went to a wonderful home with 2 big people, 1 smaller person and no animals in sight. I learned so much at this home! I learned to walk outside to go potty. I learned to take treats and medication (most of the time) without that nasty veterinarian trick. I ate really well, like a king, and learned the “sit” trick to get cookies. They even brought another young dog home for a week. That dog seemed to really trust this family and was ALWAYS with them getting pets and attention. One magical night I had a dream and started to wag my tail like that other dog was always doing. That’s the first time I remember wagging my tail ever!
Foster home number 4:
Seeing how well I responded to having another dog around I was moved once again to my 4th foster home and this is where I’ve been ever since. This home is a little crazy. There are 3 other dogs here, 3 creatures they call cats, a very loud small person and 2 big people…one that drags me everywhere she goes if she can. I know I can’t stay here forever, so I’m trying really hard to stay confident and continue to learn to be comfortable with new experiences. That way, my forever home won’t be so scary at first and I’ll have some great memories to share with my very own family.
We have another dog from ARF with the same story. He was actually not even out for viewing due to his anxiety. The behavioral vet ask me to take a look at him. Long story shorter, he has saved my daughter’s life. She is disabled and they are together 100 percent of the time. But he loves other dogs and I think her would enjoy Tucker. We’ve had Archer for 10 years now. He still has anxiety if he goes with Haileigh to dentist or doctor. Other than that he is either in bed with her or running around backyard. I TUCKER would never be left alone. I would either take him with me or he would stay with Haileigh and Archer while I run to store.
There really are sparks of magic present in the overwhelming scary world we are live in.
This is Tucker, and I really didn’t think anyone would ever understand me the way my foster parents do. With all the sadness and disappointments, I’ve known being a part of the animal shelter system, it becomes hard to believe that there would be a stranger willing to help such a hopeless shutdown animal like me. It’s easy to be cynical watching adopters passing by behaviorally challenging pets in order to find the happy, friendly young animal that will bring easy joy and comfort to their home. I wish there were more people like Judi who understood the incredible bonds that can be built if you have patience and understanding.
I hope I can become as wonderful a companion as Archer has developed into.
Thank you, Judi lane, for considering opening up your home and family to Tucker. There is so much good in him and unfortunately he’s had such a difficult and sad past. Your beautiful family sounds very special. I’m really hoping all of you are the perfect fit for Tucker. He deserves love and safety for the rest of his life. Please keep us posted on his journey.
I wish I knew how to post pictures on here. I’m not tech savvy. He’s doing better and better every minute. He really feels safe on my bed since that’s where we have been since he got home. He has met Archer, my daughter’s dog twice. Both times up on the bed. Today he told Archer to get away from me, which cracked me up. At least I know he’s gonna let me be his person. He’s on my stomach taking a nap right now. I will check with Debbie but I don’t think he needs anxiety meds anymore. We are on 1/4 of a pill and it knocks him out cold. He also likes me to put his food in my hand to eat. And he likes me to hold the water bowl for him too, even though they are both on the bed and he knows where they are. He’s such a joy. We have worked our way up to having the blinds open on the window. He actually looks like he enjoys looking outside now. Just takin baby steps. 🥰
This is incredible! It warms my heart to hear how far he has come. You and your family sound so perfect for Tucker! I was his very first foster, last summer, and he’s never left my mind. He made a large impact on me despite the short time we were together. Thank you for opening up your heart and home to him. It makes me smile to hear the bond that you are already building together. ❤️🥰❤️
Hi Chris, thank u for your feedback. We r moving super slow. Today I’ve been leaving him alone.for 15 mins every hour. I’ve been building him a pillow cave so he feels safe. He seems to be doing ok with it. We have done nothing but lay Iin bed together since I brought him home. Did he ever come out of his shell for u? He seemed to have come out of his shell at Debbie’s. I just want him to have a better quality of life than laying in a bed. He has such horrible nightmares when he sleeps real deep. I’d appreciate any ideas u might have for me. He turns his nose away from food unless a put it in the palm of my hand. Although he has no problem helping himself to my plate😂😅🤣I had to fight him for my dinner last night. I was laughing so hard that he pretty much ate my whole plate. Thanks in advancefor the input.🥰
It sounds like he’s doing well with you so far. He did really well at Debbie’s house and with her family (humans and animals). I was his first foster and he was completely shut down -almost catatonic – when he was with me. I’d love to continue to hear about his journey with you and certainly offer anything ideas or input. Probably easier to do that off of this blog. Here is my info: [email protected] and 510-409-8099 for texts or calls. Thanks.
Chris
Thank u so much. I screenshot your information. He’s doing wonderful but only when I by his side laying with him. Which I don’t mind at all. I’m trying super hard not to push him. I want him to know that he can trust me. Thank u for letting me know where he was at with u. Thank gives me peace of mind. Let’s me know that he is getting better and that it’s just gonna take time. Thank you for your information, I appreciate it.
Oh, I forgot to tell u his progress. He’s pooping and peeing where he is supposed to. He was wanting me to feed him out my hand, I didn’t want him to get used to that. He tended to want to eat off my plate, so I’ve taught him how to eat off a fork and wait his turn. All my dogs have liked to eat dinner with the pack so to say. He has no urge to go anywhere but my bedroom or out to go potty. He literally has no anxiety at all. But I’m not asking a lot of him either. He lays right by my side and I’ve been binge watching TV. And he has no problem rolling over and laying on his back when he wants his belly rubbed as opposed to his back. When I do give him 1/4 of his anxiety med which Debbie recommends he’s out like a drunk. It’s kind of funny. You can lift his leg up or move is tail and he doesn’t respond. He also doesnt need his leach anymore to go out back. He knows what potty means and I just ask him every couple of hours and when he does need to go he pops up and we walk out together he goes and then runs back to my room. That’s the only time he wags his tail.
Don’t get discouraged Judi! It’s only been 1 week and your already getting Tucker to go outside on his own when he needs to. AND he’s wagging his tail !!! That’s something Chris never got to see. It took 5 MONTHS for anyone to see that and you’re already there. Give him tons of reward when he comes back inside…we always gave a treat and just lots of happy “good boy” talk. I’d love to post any pictures you’d like of his progress here- can I show the adorable pillow fort you created? Thank you for your amazing dedication to his recovery!
I’m not discouraged. Or frustrated. I love him and I want him to have a better life. He did just venture out into the backyard about 10 more feet just now. And I do a lot of good boy and good job tucker. And while he was doing it I told him what a good brave boy he was. He just stayed about two feet away from me but he did it. Feel free to post anything I send you. And thank you for trusting me with him. He hasn’t really been into treats or bones, but he love a good dinner plate. 😉
You’re doing fantastic with Tucker!! The only time I saw him connected, wagging or happy was in pictures and videos after he’d been with Debbie and her family. It really sounds like he is trusting you and starting to feel more secure. It’s been such a short amount of time and he’s already eating and going out to the bathroom outside! This is huge! As Debbie mentioned, it takes almost all dogs from a shelter several weeks to months to feel safe and secure. Tucker is extra special so his timeframe may be longer. It also may be 2 steps forward then 1 step back for awhile. I think he is doing great! Thank you for everything you are doing for him.
Well yesterday was very eventful. Tucker decided that my bed was his bed and that he is the Alpha of the house. I needed him to go potty as I had leave the house for an hour, I didn’t want hiim to have an accident. He would not budge. He wouldn’t come when I ask him, he would not budge when I put leash on him. When I went to pick him up he growled at me like an old man. I actually thought he might bite me. Now mind u I had literally layed in bed and rubbed him NON STOP all day. I had to drive my car around for an hour as it needs to get smogged and wasn’t passing due to sitting too much. So I decided just to leave him in the bedroom and close the door. I have pretty much spoiled him since he arrived. But I had no choice I had to leave. Here’s the good news. I come home open the bedroom door not knowing what kind of mood he was going to be in. He saw me and started running around the bed, jumped off and peed on the carpet with excitement. Started barking so loud he woke Haileigh up at the other end of the house. I opened the back door he ran outside like a good boy peed a little bit more. For the next 45 mins he stayed right by my side wagging his tail. I haven’t gotten a lot done since he came here so I figured I would take advantage of the opportunity. Today he’s been jumping on and off the bed with ease. And we’ve had the blind in bedroom open all day. He’s quite the character.