Well, I’ve done it now.
Roxy – look at those legs!
Her name is Roxy and it seems to suit her. Still, I reserve the right to change it at some later date. She’s eighteen months old but is currently too freaked out to be much of a puppy. We have a long, long road ahead of us.
I found her on Craigslist, a human’s sad story – her mom’s brother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and she’s been working double shifts to help with bills and taking care of her brother. So Roxy has been getting zero attention, essentially a yard dog. Kudos to her mom for knowing Roxy deserves more and better. And it broke her heart (and mine on her behalf – I can’t even imagine) when I drove off with Roxy.
As reported, Roxy’s mom is part Great Pyrenees, Anatolian shepherd, German shepherd and some lab. Dad was a traveling man so zero information on him. That tail of hers – I have no idea. Certainly nothing in her mom’s makeup. When up, it curls completely back on itself, a complete tight circle.
I could tell meeting them in the Walmart parking lot that Roxy was not on board with this idea. It took trickery to get her into my car. Maybe I should have bailed on the whole thing. I certainly think such thoughts when I’m being growled and barked at in my own home. But there were an awful lot of signs in the week preceding meeting Roxy. The hummingbird that sat in a tree in my backyard watching me all last weekend, the butterfly that swooped down almost whacking me in the face, tons of dogs in the park during lunch. I asked Isa to whisper in Roxy’s ear so Roxy could give me a strong yea or nay when we first met. I wouldn’t say I got a definitive answer from Roxy that night about her and me but I did get a strong answer that Roxy might be better off in a new home.
We’re 36 hours in now and she will occasionally come out of her self-designated safe zone (pictured above). I think she finally got some sleep last night which can only help. I bought some calming treats (with hemp – oh hemp, by any other name!) and they seem to be helping.
She’s reportedly good with cats and loved her previous cat. Wallee made a loud and unmistakable statement when we first walked in. Five minutes later walked up to Roxy (on leash), sniffed and did the kitty arch/rub. Roxy sniffed and didn’t move. I think there will be a beautiful friendship there eventually. Inchallah.
I have no clue how she is with other dogs. Eventually I will take her to day care, that will only help, but it’s way, way too soon for that. She seems to like people but is shy and a little fearful, then warms up quickly. We can work with that.
It’s interesting and odd, her conflicting behaviors. She will let me pet her for long stretches of time, without relaxing the tiniest bit. If I stop, she asks for more, even giving kisses. Most of this post has been typed one handed so I can continue with skirtches. But if I approach her in her safe zone, I get standard issue low warning growl. I’m not an idiot – for the most part I have something yummy in my hand which changes her mind immediately. Might be a puppy issue but she seems food motivated (hooray!). When she hears me moving around upstairs and/or I come downstairs in the morning, I’m treated as an interloper – full scale red alert. She has zero self-confidence (which of course explains all of the above) and is a nervous piddler (oh joy).
I know, without any of you saying it, that it’s not even been two full days. And I see progress within that time so I’m not flipping out (mostly). I think she will be a hard-core love bug once she figures things out here. She knows about couches and clearly spent some time there last night. There was evidence of puppiness this morning: shoes in random places (but not chewed on!), cat toys moved around, the mummified lizard from the window sill far from his original resting place. I plan on getting a ball out this afternoon and see what happens although the yard is not big enough for her to get more than a couple of steps. Exercise would go a long way but she’s still too freaked to take for a walk – a definite flight risk and she has no tags. Somehow she even lost her rabies tag. I’m open to suggestions for confidence building exercises and will certainly do some research.
So there’s the news. I’ve burst into tears more than once since Roxy’s been here, missing Isa. My guess is that’s totally normal.
Think good thoughts for us. I have a bit of a challenge on my hands.
Peace and hugs.
ROXY IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
And I apologize right now…..but I’m LMAO!!! :-)!
OOOOMMMMDDDDD!!!! Isa sent you a handful…And on purpose too!!!! 🙂 🙂 :I have NOOOOO DOUBT WHATSOEVER this is all meant to be for BOTH of you!! 🙂 🙂
And yes, you may have had a few crying spells….but ISA is laughing her a*s off too!! :-)!
I’m soooo glad Isa picked her for you. You are probably the only one who wouldnt have se t her back with the first grow!!
As you know from Kathi, Ollie was a handful at first, and same from Ingrid with Tex.
Roxy….lo g legged Roxy….could not have a better home!! She just doesn’t know it yet!!
I’ll be back….just had to say CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
A d she is a vsey vig girl…And still growing!!
Love to you sweet Teri!!! So much love!!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Oh, Teri!! What a remarkable adoption. I know Aida had a paw in this and Roxy will soon settle in to her new loving home and family.
I think all that you’re feeling now is very normal. I questioned fostering Tuck the minute he started screaming in my car and then again when I showed him around our back yard. I actually sat down and just cried my eyes out thinking this strange dog doesn’t belong in Boone’s yard.
And well, you know the rest of the story 😊.
It sounds like you’re doing everything right by Roxy and I’ll be eager to hear how Isa is guiding her (and you) in her new life.
Biggest of hugs,
Jeanette, Angel Boone and Boone’s Earthly Sidekick Tuck 💕🌈🐾
Darn autocorrect. Isa not Aida 😉
OH Teri Roxy doesn’t know it yet but she’s one lucky girl! She’s going to have the absolute best life with you. Sounds like you’re making tremendous headway already and you’re right can’t expect too much in this short a time. Wish I was there to give you a hug I know your emotions are all over the table. Isa truly sent you this girl for a reason…..pretty sure as she settles in it’s going to become evident. So happy for both you and Roxy as I just know this is going to be a love story in the making. High five Isa, now go and whisper in Roxy’s ear and tell her she’s furever home now!
Oops forgot to tell you she’s beautiful! Such an intense gaze. I’ll be waiting for her first “smiling” photo from you 😀 Have a hunch it won’t take too long.
TERI!!!!! She is beautiful! Congratulations on your new fried. Give her some time – you will have a beautiful relationship. YAY FOR YOU!!!!
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Welcome Roxy to the Big Yellow Rescue Dog Club!!!
Oh Teri!!! She’s beautiful! CONGRATS!!! I love her name, BTW!
I can tell you … Jasper didn’t growl at me but she didn’t warm to me at first. It was months before she wanted to spend time with me on her own. You know it will take time but bless your heart for taking on this girl! You know Isa had her all picked out for you… loving and learning to love (on both ends) are so much a part of this journey. You guys will be great!!!v HUGS and I look forward to more pictures. She really is quite something!!!
Teri, Congrats on Roxy. It takes time and yes there will be tears from missing Isa. But she knew that Roxy needed a good home and you will provide it with that I have no doubt.
She is a beautiful girl. Like I told Alison when she brought JL in it will take time for them to warm up and warm their way into your heart but they will.
You will provide a great home and spoil her as well. Food motivation works great. Eventually she will warm up to your house and meet you upstairs or even sleep there. I will say this part of the intruder alert is the fact she probably spent a lot of time outside on a chain.
You will be great. Congrats again
xoxoxox
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Oh I’m so pleased, Teri. For both of you. And, yes, she is beautiful. Really, a stunning, athletic looking dog.
Meg was difficult at first. Growling, and even biting (only me, thankfully), and above all extremely unpredictable. I found it challenging, no question. But ultimately the experience of working with her, building a trusting relationship and turning (some of) her behaviour around has been one of the most rewarding of my life. My two suggestions would be hand feeding all her food for a while, and if/when you are driven to utter distraction, turn away from her, take a deep breath and expel all the air from your lungs. It really helps to release the tension. Laughter helps too. Enormously. Again, it just breaks the tension. And fortunately you have a tremendous sense of humour. Congratulations, Teri. I’m so pleased for you ❤️
‘Dad was a travelling man’ 😂😂😂
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
OKAY TERI!!! It’s time for another installment!! ”We K OW you jave stories to tell! Roxy has no intention of making this easy…..not quite yet anyway! 🙂 That’s not the agreement she and Isa made…not by a looong shot!! Isa wants to make SURE you have plenty to focus on and plenty to make you laugh!
.ost of all though, she wants you to feel love and joy again…..And she wants the same for Roxy. You both jave hearts thst need healing.
Okay……waiting……..waiting………
LOVE
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too
Teri, I am so delighted for you and for Roxy. She is beautiful! And lucky, too, to land with you. Give yourselves time and certainly give her space to become comfortable and keep yourself safe as she grows in trust.
Tell us how things are going!
Lisa