Today marks five years since Kayleigh joined the pack. It was a much smaller pack back then--Kayleigh was dog # 5! I had spent the day helping a friend who's mother had recently passed away. After cleaning out her apartment, we decided to go to the Humane Society. Not sure how that was supposed to cheer us up, but that was our logic! Kayleigh was in the last kennel in the very last row. She jumped up as we walked by and looked me straight in the eye. That probably should have been a clue that she had some issues, but I missed that! All I saw was a big dog in a kennel that was way too small for her. (Kay is a mal-sibe mix) She was already spayed and came home with me that afternoon.
Kayleigh had been starved by her first owner and needed to gain about 30 pounds. Regular meals were a big hit with her! She's never forgetten that she used to be hungry though. She still keeps something to eat hidden in her doghouse at all times. Currently, she's hiding a bison hoof!
After a brief honeymoon period, Kayleigh decided she was safe here and let all her issues out! This lead to more experience breaking up fights than I ever wanted; a stack of books on dealing with dog aggression; one trip to the ER when she went for Stuart's hand; a few trips to the vet for her and a couple other dogs; one night spent sleeping/crying in the snow with her as I was convinced we were going to have to put her down.
Eventually it lead to the realization that some of her behaviors could not be changed and we would have to change around them. Kayleigh now has her very own pen where she can keep all her toys safe from everyone else, where she never has to worry about her food, and where she has indoor access at will. Kayleigh is a cat killer so bringing her inside was always tough. Now she has access to the heated shop anytime she wants and there's almost always someone out there to pet her.
She's come a long way. She's trustworthy with humans now, even enjoys the occasional supervised visit with our neighbor's 5 year old. She's a happy, goofy dog, the only one in the pack who actually plays fetch!
Yesterday she had all her toys lined up in a perfectly straight row in the snow! Not sure what she was trying to tell us with that!
I call Kayleigh my problem child, but she's also one of my best teachers!
Happy Gotcha Day big girl!
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