Simple Gifts and Magical Moments

Seven years ago today,  Floyd brought his intense and energetic spirit into my life. Even though, I adopted him, I feel he chose me. I had lost my sweet, Schmoozer not long ago. I have always felt somewhat purposeless without a dog. So, although I was still aching from the loss I was looking for a new companion. The rescue group talked about his energy and fear in careful terms, trying to admit his issues but make him sound appealing. I could read between the lines and kn When I went to meet him, he did better with me than I or the rescue group expected. That didn't mean he came to me with tail wagging. Floyd life was full of fear and he spent his time hiding, pacing, and cowering, but when we met he didn't try to hide. He maintained his distance and was panting so hard, that if he was a human I would have assumed he was hyperventilating. His eyes were big and frightened and he panted in fear but he also seemed to stare into my soul. Normally, when I introduce myself ...

Floyd finds bones distressing. I firmly believe he was baited with food or abused around food as a pup. His early days were so full of trauma. He has gotten over a lot of his issues since I adopted him. He takes treats from people. He doesn't run away cowering if food is combined with a command. He doesn't eat so fast he chokes. One thing he hasn't lost is the stress a really good dog treat can bring him. Early on, the few times I tried to give him a bone, he'd just walk around whining. He'd put it down. pant, pick it back up and look around fearfully. I'd end up the bone away because  he couldn't relax enough to actually enjoy it. We went a long time with no bones, then I tried again. It was a similar experience, but with a little less angst. I'd take the bone away give it a day for him to calm, reintroduce it, and eventually the bone would be ok. Having it come back, even though it had been taken seemed to bring the fear level down. Then a ...