In the early days, my parents took in a 17-month-old rehoming dog. An understimulated beast who later turned out to have been badly treated. Unfortunately, it stayed with him for a long time, but after a long time of work he became a normal dog. When he was old, Ralf came into the picture - a small, high-energy puppy who brought the old boy back to his youth. When Ralf became an only dog, the plan was that if a new dog was to come into the picture, it would have to be a puppy. It had to be bigger than Ralf and not long-haired.
However, that didn't last at all when Kato suddenly appeared. 9½ years old, smaller than Ralf, long-haired and absolutely perfect for us. Without much thought, he became ours! He adapted easily, was happy and loving from the start and was just a really good companion for Ralf. Unfortunately, when I was sent his medical records, it turned out that he was not quite as healthy as we expected. Heart murmur, bad teeth, matted fur and long nails. The question suddenly became how much should you sacrifice for such an old dog? However, it was quickly decided that even if it were some unexpected - and very unwanted - vet bills, he should have a chance. It cost more than I care to admit - but now he has been in the family for 2 years, and he was definitely worth it!
A year later, Allie appeared: She had just given birth and could not look after the puppies, so they were in the care of a nursing mother. She was a sweet, very careful little lady and after a short time, she had moved in. However, her adjustment to the family was much more difficult than Kato's. 8 years old, not clean, did not know her own name, could do absolutely nothing and was nervous at the slightest movement - she reminded most of all of someone who had been beaten and kicked where she came from. Many nights were spent wondering if this was the right thing to do. Should she stay with us?
She seemed like she was longing for something. Like she was missing something. But what?
After a short time I was contacted: her puppies were not doing well with their mother, so either we had to take the puppies, or she had to return to her previous owner (who bought her free from the kennel she came from) so she could help her puppies while they were being bottle-fed. The puppies ended up with us. Suddenly it seemed like she felt more at home. She was still not optimal, not yet clean and was not easy to teach. But she (and us) grew with the task. The puppies helped her find security and joy in both Ralf and Kato. She was quietly started on training and various trust exercises, which helped her to calm down. We also decided quite quickly to keep a puppy - Alfred.
Now we are 1 year later and we can see that so much has happened in the last 4 months. She knows who she is, where she belongs, she fools around with the boys and is clean and better at various exercises.
The emotional journey we were on with both of the rehoming dogs was tough.
The constant speculation. The feeling of whether you are doing the right thing for them. The doubt about whether it is the right thing to sacrifice so much money on a dog without knowing whether it will actually thrive and become a real dog afterwards. Tears have been shed, and laughter has been shared - and it has been all worth it.
If there are anyone out there who is in doubt about whether a relocation dog is the right thing to do, I can only say that the journey is worth it - even if it is very hard!
Behind the scenes of this week's blogger
This week's blogger is called Nanna Retz Sloth and is 23 years old and the daughter of a dog trainer.
She has been involved as a "foal" since she was a child, first within DCH and is now independent.
I am the happy owner of no less than four beautiful doggies: Ralf, Alfred, Kato and Allie.
Taking over a rehoming dog
In the early days, my parents took in a 17-month-old rehoming dog. An understimulated beast who later turned out to have been badly treated. Unfortunately, it stayed with him for a long time, but after a long time of work he became a normal dog. When he was old, Ralf came into the picture - a small, high-energy puppy who brought the old boy back to his youth. When Ralf became an only dog, the plan was that if a new dog was to come into the picture, it would have to be a puppy. It had to be bigger than Ralf and not long-haired.
However, that didn't last at all when Kato suddenly appeared. 9½ years old, smaller than Ralf, long-haired and absolutely perfect for us. Without much thought, he became ours! He adapted easily, was happy and loving from the start and was just a really good companion for Ralf. Unfortunately, when I was sent his medical records, it turned out that he was not quite as healthy as we expected. Heart murmur, bad teeth, matted fur and long nails. The question suddenly became how much should you sacrifice for such an old dog? However, it was quickly decided that even if it were some unexpected - and very unwanted - vet bills, he should have a chance. It cost more than I care to admit - but now he has been in the family for 2 years, and he was definitely worth it!
A year later, Allie appeared: She had just given birth and could not look after the puppies, so they were in the care of a nursing mother. She was a sweet, very careful little lady and after a short time, she had moved in. However, her adjustment to the family was much more difficult than Kato's. 8 years old, not clean, did not know her own name, could do absolutely nothing and was nervous at the slightest movement - she reminded most of all of someone who had been beaten and kicked where she came from. Many nights were spent wondering if this was the right thing to do. Should she stay with us?
She seemed like she was longing for something. Like she was missing something. But what?
After a short time I was contacted: her puppies were not doing well with their mother, so either we had to take the puppies, or she had to return to her previous owner (who bought her free from the kennel she came from) so she could help her puppies while they were being bottle-fed. The puppies ended up with us. Suddenly it seemed like she felt more at home. She was still not optimal, not yet clean and was not easy to teach. But she (and us) grew with the task. The puppies helped her find security and joy in both Ralf and Kato. She was quietly started on training and various trust exercises, which helped her to calm down. We also decided quite quickly to keep a puppy - Alfred.
Now we are 1 year later and we can see that so much has happened in the last 4 months. She knows who she is, where she belongs, she fools around with the boys and is clean and better at various exercises.
The emotional journey we were on with both of the rehoming dogs was tough.
The constant speculation. The feeling of whether you are doing the right thing for them. The doubt about whether it is the right thing to sacrifice so much money on a dog without knowing whether it will actually thrive and become a real dog afterwards. Tears have been shed, and laughter has been shared - and it has been all worth it.
If there are anyone out there who is in doubt about whether a relocation dog is the right thing to do, I can only say that the journey is worth it - even if it is very hard!
Behind the scenes of this week's blogger
This week's blogger is called Nanna Retz Sloth and is 23 years old and the daughter of a dog trainer.
She has been involved as a "foal" since she was a child, first within DCH and is now independent.
I am the happy owner of no less than four beautiful doggies: Ralf, Alfred, Kato and Allie.