Today’s topic is personal. Yes, I’m a dog adoption mom. All three of my babies are dog adoptions. It’s been a raging success. But there’s a very personal example of a dog adoption failure, and I came *this close* to not saying anything about it. But I need your help. It’s killing me inside.
It’s not killing me inside because I did the wrong thing. My mother didn’t do the wrong thing, either. This dog adoption just hasn’t worked out. We couldn’t have known, really. And I don’t blame my friend who found the dog. She absolutely did everything right.
Gadget seems to be a Brussels Griffon mix. He came to us as a stray. Cursory exams said he was in good health. A further, in-depth exam found perineal hernias and infected anal sacs. So Gadget has had major surgery already in the five months he’s been with my mom. My mom did everything she could to restore him to good health, and now he’s in amazing health.
He’s an adorable little guy. He came to us intact, which seems to be a no-no for toy males after a certain age. It leads to things like perineal hernias. Again, totally not the fault of any known parties involved. And now it’s repaired and good. Gadget is in great health.
So what’s the problem? From the beginning Gadget has been a biter. Not angry biting, at first. Before we knew about the health issues, it was a grab with his mouth to say, “Don’t touch me there. It hurts.” We respected that. Then it became, “This is my lap. Back off,” to other dogs. Then it became a snarl and bite of, “Don’t stop petting me.” Or “Don’t move me. I have to be on your lap. I have to be closest to you in the bed.”
Is it a resource guarding of the human? Small dog syndrome? Dominance issues? We don’t know for sure. But with all the calm correctives my mom musters up, as well as separation from her when it continues (biting hurts), he continues. The vet even prescribed Prozac, which he’s been on the last month. And he’s still randomly biting.
Before you jump in with both feet, my mom has been a dog owner her entire life. And she’s a researcher, so she’s looked at every technique for handling this well, using what makes the most sense for his behavior and size and breed. Unfortunately, her little Honey Shih Tzu is suffering from this as well. Honey has become a shrinking violet in the home.
Y’all, this dog adoption is a failure. Please don’t beat me up about it. I’m already beating myself up more than you can know. What I need now is to find him a home with someone who knows and loves toy dogs. Somewhere where he’ll be an only dog, or the only small dog with large dogs. He’s a lap dog. He needs someone who understands him and is patient.
So please help me out? Currently Gadget is in my home, a place which is familiar to him. And already my Chewy is reluctant to jump in my lap because of him. See? He needs to be the only small dog in the home.
No one like to admit defeat, y’all, but I’m big enough to raise the white flag. And hoping that someone will take it and help me out. Please. And thank you.
Until I write again …
Flea
P.S. I’m smack in the middle of the country (Tulsa) and will drive to meet someone. Email me if you think you can help, please? Fleabyte @ gmail dot com
