Monday, May 23, 2011

Introducing Bunny

I recently brought home another foster dog.  Bunny is a five year old Bichon who came from a puppy mill.  She was released along with many other breeding dogs, including Chihuahuas, Miniature Dachshunds, and Shih Tzus. My previous foster dog Polly was one of this group.  The two Bichons who were released were the most afraid out of all of the dogs.  The rest of the dogs have been adopted, but both Bunny and Sassy, the other Bichon, are still finding it hard to learn how to be normal dogs.  Often dogs who are very scared will do better when they are separated, so I took Bunny home in hopes that both she and Sassy would start to show more improvement apart.  After only a week, Sassy is already doing better without Bunny, and has begun to explore her foster home and go out in her back yard to play with the other dogs.  Bunny is not yet showing so much improvement here.  I blame this on Ziggy.  I'm not sure how it can be his fault - he hasn't even been around Bunny - but when things go wrong around here, Ziggy usually has something to do with it, so I figure he must be somehow responsible.

Bunny is a very sweet dog and I've finally found something she likes - Cheese Whiz - so we've started cheese therapy.  So far she's progressed to licking cheese off of my fingers if I lay flat on the floor and hold my hand as far from my body as possible.  She also will come out of her room about two feet to lick cheese off of a plate if I'm nowhere nearby.  At the rate she's going, I think she'll be running around the house like a normal dog in no time several months.

I have to admit, I am really attached to this dog who doesn't want anything to do with me.  She's spent the first five years of her life without knowing how good life can be, or how nice people can be.  I am really looking forward to the day when she comes to meet me instead of running away from me!

12 comments:

Kari in Alaska said...

that second photo made me grin :)

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

Casey Jones' Mom said...

I have a cousin who adopted a puppy mill dog. The poor thing didn't even know that she could walk around a chair if it was in her way. She only knew the 3X3 cage she lived in for several years. After over a year she is becoming a playful happy dog.

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

what a cutie! Cheeze Therapy worked wonders for Alf, I expect Bunny will do just fine.

I'm a little upset that you would blame my favorite foster, ziggy, for anything! easy for me to judge from way over here, eh?

Happy, Waggin' Tails, FUREVER!
Stumpy and me

Two Grad Students and a Pittie said...

were rooting for Bunny!

www.twogradstudentsandapittie.blogspot.com

JacksDad said...

I think you're doing a wonderful thing! Cheese solves a lot of problems! :)

havetailwillwag said...

aww.. poor bunny! but i think she will start to feel your love and she'll come around. just takes time.. you and ziggy will teach her to enjoy life i'm sure of it.

Unknown said...

I hope bunny enjoys cheese therapy, it does seem to work wonders!

Sheltie Times said...

Poor Ziggy, no evidence and already guilty.

This one sounds like she's coming around. Cheese whiz therapy, who would have thought.

Tucker The Crestie said...

Stories like Bunny's just break my heart. I wish her much happiness (and an inexhaustible supply of Cheez Wiz) in her future.

Cupcake said...

Seeing a dog like this come out of her shell is so rewarding, as you well know. I've said this before about you and I'll say it again...
If anyone can help this dog, it's you. All the animals respond so well to you, and Ziggy does too sometimes!

Sue said...

My heart breaks for these mill dogs who have never had a chance to live a normal life. I hope that Bunny takes a chance on you and learns to enjoy life.
Sue

Unknown said...

Oh, poor Ziggy the scape-dog!