Belle has joined our flock

[mrspunkysmom]

Sweet Belle , give Sandie a chance, and you won't regret it. You're in a PT home and that's a good thing. Welcome to Pet Talk.

[chocolatepuppy]

Belle is so cute! I know, in time, you'll get her to be comfortable and happy in your home.

[Freedom]

Late yesterday afternoon, I dug out Tasha's Walkeez harness. I stopped using it as Tasha backed out of it twice. I put it on Belle, attached a short leash, left her collar on with a longer leash. Then we all went for the long 2 mile walk. I did this to get her tired, burned off some of her nervous energy, as she didn't sleep well the first night. It worked, we all slept the night through! And the harness worked fine, she wasn't gasping and choking. I noticed he kept in the middle of the group, did not want to be on the outside. Tasha was like this initially as well.

Belle spent most of the night in the living room, finally came in my bedroom about 3 AM, but remained on the floor. Small steps, very similar to how Tasha progressed. She ignores the cats, and is fascinated with the fish.

I'm coming to the conclusion that this wee girl has been quite abused in her past. She squeals like a stuck pig if I so much as touch her. She isn't sore, it is fear. So putting the harness on her was a noisy episode. She did calm down, and I think she will learn quickly that means walkies!

She initially panicked each time my 'noisy boy' barked. Well, in time she will adjust to Willy, as all of us in this house have done!

[Bonny]

What a sweet looking little girl. She will have a good forever home with you & the fluffs.

[pomtzu]

She's coming around - great news! Baby steps - baby steps

In regard to a harness. I had to use a harness on Sparky since he was a "puller" - big time - and Wolfy is the same. Neither got the message when I tried to break them of it. Anyway - I never had either slip out of the one I'll enclose a pic of, but the so called "easy step in" one, Wolfy has gotten out of with no problem. Plus I don't like the webbing they use in them - too stiff and scratchy. The one I use is made by Yuppie Puppy, but I've seen other brands on line too, it's easy on and off and simple to adjust, and the strips that go under his front legs are sherpa padded, so it's nice and comfy. They are kinda hard to find in stores, but readily available on line.

Just a little info for you if you might be interested.

[cassiesmom]

Wow, two miles! Good girl, Belle! I am glad you were able to walk on a harness with the others! You visited mum's bedroom in the night, but stayed on the floor. Sounds like that was okay with mum. I won't ask her to pet you for me today, since you don't like to be touched. I am grateful for this happy update! Yay! Mum and the others will help you to not be afraid and all will be fine in time.

[Freedom]

Thank you Bonny, Ellie and Elyse.

Progress! We walked at the farm this morning and AGAIN this evening (it is going to pour tomorrow, so I need them tired, lol) then I sat out in the back yard this evening and gave them each a marrow bone. Belle dug in, she enjoyed hers. No idea if she ever had one before or not.

Soon after she lost interest in her bone, and after a short poke about the yard, Belle came over to where I was sitting and put her front paws up on my leg! I was practically holding my breath as I picked her up and sat her on my lap. Initially she kept her front paws on my chest, legs straight. After a good 5 minutes, she turned and settled in my lap. She is so much smaller than the others, she fit FINE! (Willy THINKS he is a lap dog, but he doesn't fit, lol). She stayed quite awhile, though I could feel her shake and shiver now and again. Eventually she jumped down. HUGE step! But all on her terms, in her time.