INTERNAL MOGS NOTE:   May 12 2014 
Talked to Jill Reitz  913. 269-3659
Davey is doing just great - it was all about feeding him half the rations he should have been getting.  Once they got the food straightened out for both Davey and Marley (was Bo in MoGS), both are doing just great.  Hubby's allergies settled back down, now that both dogs are shedding normally instead of dropping their coats due to accidental malnutrition!

SPECIAL NOTE:  Davy is temporarily on medical hold, while we work to help him overcome a diet/skin/weight issue that developed.  We anticipate knowing more in 6-8 weeks, between May 1-15.

Handsome Davy is starting to truly enjoy life!!!  He loves being loved on, loves getting hugs and giving them as well.  In fact, he's cuddller if you give him half a chance!

And love is something entirely new to Davy.  He was dumped in a pound in Texas by his abusive owner when the owner got fined for having too many animals. 

As it turns out, Davy was the lucky one. 

Which sounds odd, because Davy was in terrible physical shape -- 25 lbs underweight, missing fur, severe flea dermatitis, terrible ear infections, and heartworm positive at just 2 yrs old.  He also showed all the classic signs of physical abuse -- cowering at a raised hand, hitting the ground at loud voices. 

We think daily of those other poor dogs still living in that terrible situation, and are grateful we were able to help Davy.  Our hearts and prayers go out to his former brothers and sisters who are still in hell.

On top of all that, Davy came within minutes of being killed.  He was terrified at the shelter, ripped away from the only life he knew and brought into the shelter with a catch-pole around his neck choking him.  This sweet young guy thought he was fighting for his life.  Three different Texas rescues tried to help him, wanted to help him, but regretfully left him behind because he wouldn’t let them close enough to get a leash on him.  He was so traumatized that he would snarl and try to bite.  It’s a terrible dilemma that happens thousands of times every day in shelters around the country. Rescues want desperately to help a dog or cat, but the behavior of the poor terrified animal is just too difficult.  It’s almost impossible to find fosters or volunteers who understand this behavior, and many dogs lose their lives because of it.

But we talked at length with the staff at the pound, and felt that what we were hearing about was pure terror, not true aggression.  So we said “We’ll take him.”  

Unfortunately, Davy’s "kill date" had already passed, it was 5:00 pm, and we only had til 10 a.m  next morning to pick him up.  And we were 10 hours drive away from the shelter! 

Then a truly incredible volunteer stepped up without hesitation.  Remarkably, he lives in Chicago!  Within the hour, he hopped in his car, left Chicago, drove overnight to Dallas, picked up Davy, turned around and drove him to us in Kansas City, then continued back home to Chicago - driving straight through.  He even refused gas money, saying it was his contribution to saving Davy.  THESE are the people of rescue - unselfish to the core.

Angels were truly on Davy’s shoulder that day.  An entire series of events fell into place in less than an hour and took place in 24 hours.  The shelter kept him a day longer than his kill date and gave us a few extra hours to arrange transport.  Amazing volunteer Bob  thought nothing of driving 24 hours and 2,000 miles nonstop to get Davy.  And MoGS didn't hesitate to take him into our program.

We prepared and guided our volunteer on exactly how to handle the situation.  First, we sent a plastic airline crate with him.  Second, we had shelter staff get Davy into the crate (once again using a catchpole as a safety measure to ensure no bites, which would have signed Davy’s death warrant).  Third, Davy rode the 10 hour trip from Dallas to Kansas City comfortably curled up in his "den".  Fourth, we created a soothing and comforting environment on the ride -- he listened to soothing classical music and the calm voice of our volunteer, and got McNuggets and a cheeseburger, which he took nicely through the door of his kennel!  Everything was purposely set  up to tell him he was finally safe.  Fifth, we carried him in his crate into the vet's office, placed his crate in front of the run, opened the door of his crate, and tilted the crate slightly upward to encourage him to step out directly into the run.  He did, we closed the run door, and Davy was comfortably ensconsed in a large run with comfy bedding and plenty of food and water.  Mission accomplished for the night.

Our original plan was to take him directly to our trainer’s facility, but that changed at the last minute and we took him to our vet instead.  It was late at night and everyone was exhausted, most of all Davy who didn’t know what was happening to him and was worn out.  

At no time did we make any attempt to get near Davy or touch him, but instead left him entirely alone.  The only “contact” was our quiet, gentle, calm voices talking to him and our presence in the room.

Davy spent 5 days at our vet, and for 2 days no one attempted to get near him or touch him.  We simply visited often, sat on the floor with high value treats (hot dogs), opened his run door, and let him wander at will while we sat completely still on the floor and talked quietly to him.  At first he was afraid and stayed on the opposite side of the room.  Then the breakthroughs started.

By Day 2 he was taking the treats from our hands.
By Day 3 we were able to put a leash on him and take him out to potty.
By Day 5 we were able to leash him and put him in the back seat of the car.
He still didn’t trust us, but he knew we wouldn’t harm him.

Breakthroughs kept coming.
And still no one attempted to touch him or get close to him. 

The key was that no one made any attempt to approach him, get near him, or touch him.  Dogs who are traumatized and terrorized must be allowed to tell us when they’re ready to accept contact and touch.  It’s absolutely essential not to force yourself on them.  We slowly worked our way into Davy’s trust, simply by showing him that we had no intention of forcing him into anything.  We created the beginning of trust simply by leaving him alone and being nice to him until he was ready to approach us.

It’s always incredibly hard to do this!  You desperately want to hug these terrorized, traumatized animals and reassure them, love them, calm them.  To convince them no one will ever hurt them again.  But the only way to do that is to PROVE it by not rushing them - by not pushing them before they're ready.

After 5 days we transferred Davy to our trainer.  Davy was afraid of the car and we had to help him in.  At first we wondered if it would work but he allowed us to ever-so-slowly-and-gently put our hands under his back end and lift him into the back seat.  Another  breakthrough!  Once at the trainer’s house he was terrified of the two steps and didn’t want to go in.  Once again slow, gentle coaxing and movement won the day and Davy finally made it. 

And there, in our trainer’s living room on Day 5, Davy sat down by MoGS' President and finally relaxed.  He leaned against her leg and took treats.  Then he stood with one of the trainers touching his back lightly.  And we got a picture of Davy in one of the best moments of his life.  That picture was lost when the cell phone was stolen, but we'll always remember the look of relief that came over Davy’s face and the way his body went limp -- as if he could finally let down his guard against the terrors of his life.

Davy was on the upward path!  He thrived with our trainer.  Each day he felt a little more comfortable that no one would hurt him.  At first he was separated from other dogs due to his heartworm treatment, but once cleared by the vet he was overjoyed to have doggie company.  Davy still has some inappropriate moments occasionally with other dogs, but it's just his lack of training in proper doggie etiquette. 

He learned quickly with our outstanding trainers and will continue to do so in the right home.  He simply needs a patient leader who will shower him with love yet still expect only the highest standards of behavior from him.  Davy is on the road to learning how to be a loving and loved companion with great manners.

Davy is doing exceptionally well, and was actually adopted by a loving family who recently has had to return him due to allergies that developed!  They were heartbroken because he's such a loving and wonderful dog.  He lived with a young boy and another male GSD, and did wonderfully.  Further work is needed on his comfort outside the home, however - he still tends to react inappropriately to strange people and dogs outside the home.  His new family MUST diligently socialize, socialize, socialize him outside the home - take him everywhere, expose him to every possible kind of situation - for the next 6 months or so.  This is the final piece of his "normalization".  Once that's done, you will have one of the most truly amazing dogs around - a genuine survivor who's full of love and life!

Davy’s story is long, but it’s an incredible journey he almost didn’t get to make.  Now he’s ready for his new life.  He’s so excited to discover how good life really is and can't wait to meet that special family who will share the rest of his life!  He can't wait to learn the rest of his lessons, bond with his leader, love his kind family  and be loved by them. 

Davy is eager to finish his adventure and blossom completely into the truly wonderful dog he is.  All he needs is a good canine leader who will walk the rest of the journey with him.  Are YOU the lucky leader who will get to share life with Davy and be his forever companion?

DOGS:                   Yes, seems to be good with most dogs
CATS:                    unknown, would have to be tested
KIDS:                     have not observed him around small children, would have to be tested
IDEAL FAMILY:       an active, loving family who will continue to build his confidence at the same time they provide strong leadership.  Davy was abused before being dumped at the pound, as well as starved and physically neglected.  He needs a family who will help him complete his journey to normalcy.  Davy bonds quickly with his new people, but still needs lots of socialization in the "outside" world (outside his own home) so that he doesn't feel threatened.  He needs to go everywhere with his new family for a while, to socialize him to the world around him.

 



DAVY's ADOPTION FEE:   $300
This fee covers only part of what we spend to vet, board and rehab the dogs we save. On average we spend over $450 on each dog. We made a decision to keep our adoption fee at the 2005 level even though vet prices have doubled and tripled since then. We are constantly fundraising to cover the deficit. At minimum, your adoption fee includes the dog's spay/neuter, heartworm test, heartworm treatment if needed, rabies shot, distemper/parvo shot, bordatella shot, deworming, monthly heartworm and flea preventives, and microchip. In many cases it also includes surgery and various types of vet treatment for standard issues such as hot spots, ear infections and so on.
 
INTERESTED IN ADOPTING DAVY?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

STOP!! READ THIS BEFORE YOU GO ANY FURTHER!

1. We're picky about our adopters. 
2. Are you sure you're up to having a GSD?  They're not for everyone.  They take a lot of time, effort, training.  They shed year round.  They're big.  They scare lots of people.  They "mouth" and herd.  They're usually strong-willed and stubborn.  You have to have references and a home visit.  If you're not willing or able to deal with any of this, please don't waste your time or ours applying.  
   
3. Will the dog be an inside family pet? We do not adopt to outdoor-only homes. All dogs must be indoor dogs.
4. Do you leave your dog outdoors when you're not home?   We do not adopt to homes that leave their animals outside when they're gone.  You must put your dogs indoors when you're gone.  A 3 yr old adopted MOGS dog died when the owners went to run errands, left her outdoors, the gate was somehow opened, and she was hit by a car.  Tragic and 100% preventable. Even privacy fences get broken into.  Gates are opened.  Thieves steal dogs. Never leave your dog outdoors when you're not home!!
   
5. What's your plan for unexpected events and major changes?  New baby? Divorce?  Moving?   How you will provide for your dog if your family breaks up? 
   
6. Will you make a lifetime commitment?  It's your responsibility to keep your dog safe, loved and cared for FOR LIFE.
7.  Do you understand we expect you to keep that lifetime commitment?  It's YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to stick by your family member -- no matter what.
8. Are you unable or unwilling to make a lifetime commitment? Do not apply.

 

Have Questions? Email us at mogsrescue@gmail.com

Thank you for considering a homeless dog or cat.