When we found Mia (our new dog) she was in a pen with another dog named Snoopy. As we were getting to know these dogs, we noticed that whenever we pet Snoopy, he growled at Mia. She responded by ducking her head, backing away, and amusing herself alone. The next day, when we went to adopt her, she and Snoopy were in separate pens.
Although Mia is generally a calm, contented animal, after bringing her home, she responded to certain situations as though she were frightened. If we moved toward her while standing, she would cower and dodge away with a tucked tail. If we touched her back-end and surprised her, she would yelp as though we had kicked her. Over the past few days, she has calmed down, understanding that she is being taken care of, rather than hurt, and seems much less nervous. She is falling into our routine without a hitch.
Mia sleeps in a crate near our bed. Last night, Mia’s dreams floated over to me while I slept, and we dreamed together.
She was in our kitchen with her toy laying on the ground nearby. A little dog came around and tried taking her toy. When she turned to him, he growled at her and tried pushing past, keeping her toy in his mouth. Mia growled back, tackling him with her paws, and bit his muzzle. He disappeared. Another dog appeared, trying to eat her food. She fought him and won. The final showdown was between her and Snoopy, who growled and snapped at her. She bit his hips, and his neck and then swallowed him up.
This was the triumphant dream of a bullied kid, finally beating his tormentors. Those were her toys and that was her food. If any of those mean dogs came around now and tried taking her things, she would bite them and make them go away. Those mean dogs don’t belong in this house, and she does.
Mia has found her Home.
Although Mia is generally a calm, contented animal, after bringing her home, she responded to certain situations as though she were frightened. If we moved toward her while standing, she would cower and dodge away with a tucked tail. If we touched her back-end and surprised her, she would yelp as though we had kicked her. Over the past few days, she has calmed down, understanding that she is being taken care of, rather than hurt, and seems much less nervous. She is falling into our routine without a hitch.
Mia sleeps in a crate near our bed. Last night, Mia’s dreams floated over to me while I slept, and we dreamed together.
She was in our kitchen with her toy laying on the ground nearby. A little dog came around and tried taking her toy. When she turned to him, he growled at her and tried pushing past, keeping her toy in his mouth. Mia growled back, tackling him with her paws, and bit his muzzle. He disappeared. Another dog appeared, trying to eat her food. She fought him and won. The final showdown was between her and Snoopy, who growled and snapped at her. She bit his hips, and his neck and then swallowed him up.
This was the triumphant dream of a bullied kid, finally beating his tormentors. Those were her toys and that was her food. If any of those mean dogs came around now and tried taking her things, she would bite them and make them go away. Those mean dogs don’t belong in this house, and she does.
Mia has found her Home.