Monday, August 1, 2011

Introducing Maddie

This is Maddie.  She's a one year old purebred Australian Shepherd.  A very nice lady contacted the rescue community for help recently.  She had met Maddie at a breeder's facility and was able to get her released with the intention to find her a new home.  When a month went by and they still weren't able to find her a home, they asked for help.  

So here's the bad news about Maddie.  The breeder where she came from is an 85-year-old woman trying to take care of over 100 dogs by herself since her husband died.  The dogs are not getting the care they need.  Maddie has spent her entire life living outdoors with little to no socialization.  She's scared of everyone.  She has a problem with her back leg or hip that causes one leg to turn outward.  She was from a litter where both parents were merles (genetic color pattern).  They should never have been allowed to breed, because statistically 25% of the litter would be double merles.  Often double merles have hearing deficiencies and they may also have a variety of eye defects. Maddie is a double merle and appears to be partially deaf.  

But there's good news too.  The best news is Maddie was rescued from her living situation by the family who contacted rescue for help.  Maddie is still young and with some work I know she will  learn to enjoy being around people.  She still has partial hearing and in addition to being beautiful she is great with other dogs and fine with cats - all things that will help her to find just the right home.  She'll be spayed and vaccinated and get any needed medical care for her bad leg.  She'll be living indoors for the first time in her life, and learn all about being spoiled and sleeping on soft beds and eating chicken and special treats.  We'll work on house-training and positive reinforcement for every new experience.  And someday soon she'll find an adoptive home where she'll be spoiled rotten for the rest of her life.  In spite of her sad beginnings, Maddie is one of the lucky ones, because she made it into Rescue.

So far Maddie has not made a sound since I brought her home two days ago.  She found refuge on the fireplace hearth, and has chosen to sleep there since she arrived.  She doesn't leave the hearth unless I pick her up and carry her outside.  Then she walks around the yard, relieves herself and waits for me to come get her and carry her back in.   The first few times I had trouble catching her.  Then she let me come get her, and this morning she even came in the door herself!  She still ran straight to her fireplace refuge, but I'm happy with her progress.  I've provided food and water on the hearth and am giving her a lot of space while she gets accustomed to life in a home.  The TV was a new experience for her I believe - she looked quite confused by the box that suddenly had moving pictures on it.  She has never shown any signs of aggression, and since she doesn't move or make a sound, so far she's been much more of a household decoration than a living dog.  I do enjoy having such a beautiful decoration, but I am ready for her to transform into a real dog, because that's what she was made to be.

23 comments:

Sue said...

How sad that a dog has never experienced being a dog. I hope she soon learns that she can move and explore and allow herself to feel.
Sue

Unknown said...

Maddie is a beautiful girl! Agreed, she is one lucky pup to have found her way into your home. Please keep us updated on her progress.

Stefanie said...

She is indeed one of the lucky ones to find safe haven with a rescue group. Sounds like she is going to be fine though - she seems to have a very nice temperment from what you have shared - in no time at all she'll learn from the other fosters how to be a "real" dog and will really blossom. Thank you for all the hard work you do in socializing, acclimating these dogs and cats!

Cupcake said...

One thing I know for sure is that she ended up with a wonderful foster mom. I know you will work with her and take great care of her and get her ready for her forever family. Thank you.

Just Jess for now said...

Oh, I wish I wasn't moving to Scotland because I have always wanted an Australian Shepherd. I'm sure she's beautiful.
Her beginning is sad for sure, but I am so glad she has such a great foster mom. :)

Kari in Alaska said...

Shes a smart girl waiting for a nice warm fire :)

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

Of Pit Bulls and Patience said...

She looks so elegant! She's very lucky to have a future now that she's with you. Good luck!

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

This beautiful dog has another chance because you're giving it to her. Bless you for all you do.

brooke said...

Awww Maddie has had a sad start at life but Im sure she'll learn how to be a dog with you! And Ziggy! heeheh

pibble said...

I have a real soft spot for Aussies - my Lucy is one.

Maddie is in the best possible place, with you. You have the patience and love she needs!

meowmeowmans said...

We sure are glad Maddie found hr way to you, where she will be loved and cared for.

Bev said...

Thanks for getting her and giving her a wonderful chance at life.

Tucker The Crestie said...

Maddie is lovely. We hope she makes the transition from ornament to real dog very soon, and finds a wonderful new home.

Amy & the house of cats said...

Oh what a sad begining for Madi - but oh what a pretty girl she is. It sounds like she is already learning that people can be wonderful and loving and nice, and that is a good thing. WE hope she is able to find a wonderful, loving forever home very soon!

Barb's Cats and Quilts said...

What a beautiful dog. Such a sad story, but such a happy ending, or rather, middle. Her happy ending will be when she's adopted and has a family of her own. Glad you're fostering her.

Unknown said...

Can't wait to hear about all the progress I know you'll make with her! :)

Anonymous said...

Google fights me so I have to post anonymous. sorry. Usually post as MickieN or Akela's Mom. All I can say it it's a good thing you're all the way in MO cos if you were close to OH it could be very bad. I really can't have a 3rd dog, I really can't, but having had one double merle (mostly blind, hearing OK, wonderful dog)for 14 years I'd probably be sorely tempted. Glad she was rescued -- but is anyone doing anything about the other 100 that are there?!

havetailwillwag said...

poor girl but i'm sure some TLC and socialization with you will have her ready for a forever-home in no time! and oh wow what a beauty she is...

cjm said...

Ilike this dog is she still around?

cjm said...

I like this dog is she stilll around?

Dog Foster Mom said...

She is still around! She has to have surgery to repair her hip injury, so she's not quite ready for adoption yet. I'll be posting more about her later this week.

cjm said...

How did it go with the surgery? What was the reason for surgery?
Coco my last Aussie also had surgery, back hip from jumping,lived to 14 plus beautifull red (show dog).Also had Ebonie (black and white Aussie) to keep her company (work dog)what a pair.Now just cats, guinneas chickens,coons and possums.How do you feel about letting the dog fly in a airplane to TX With my company of course? Hip surgery means she should be confined for a couple of weeks is this true? My wife will be in St Louis visiting Mom in 3-4 weeks hint,hint!

Dog Foster Mom said...

cjm, it's definitely a possibility for her to go to Texas, but I'm not sure yet when she'll be ready. We haven't scheduled the surgery yet. She's still recovering from her spay surgery, and we don't know for sure which surgery she'll get. She may lose her leg because it's too damaged to do the surgery we had originally hoped would work. We're still waiting to hear back from the specialist so her surgery probably won't be for another week or two. I'll have another blog post with more info on her later this week. Thanks for asking about her!