Baby

Baby's Story

My first foster was Baby, a little rat terrier, who I have since adopted. Her world consisted of being in a crate or hiding behind the computer desk. This went on for a year and a half.

She taught me a lot about mill dogs and fostering...I had never had a dog that didn't interact with me or my other dogs.

Baby was a brand new experience for me. The vet that I took her to when I got her looked at her and teared up. She said this dog has absolutely no joy in her eyes...she is so sad....and she was.

Shortly after I got her, she got out of my yard...she was gone for three days and then by some miracle she came back. After she came back she was even more terrified and withdrawn than before she had escaped. She wouldn't come outside if I was out...I think she might have thought that I had something to do with her escaping as I was outside with her that day.

It was a very sad time...she was heart worm positive and had to go through the treatments...at that time I was happy that she was so quiet because I didn't have to crate her.

It was a very long time before any change took place. She would eat at night when everyone was asleep and during the day she stayed behind the computer desk. She eventually started to come out with me and started sleeping with me. Then if I laid on the couch she would jump up and lay on my hip and she started giving me kisses. That was the only progress she made in almost a year. For me that was huge!!

I adopted Baby and from the day I told her she was never going to have to leave she started to change. I know that sounds weird but it is the truth. She spent more time under the computer desk than behind it...she would run outside and lie in the sun for awhile...she would beg at dinner time...she loved to beg for treats. Then I fostered a baby yorkie girl, Gaby...Gaby was a bright ray of sunshine in Baby's life. Gaby made Baby play....she would lick Baby's face and bring her toys. Eventually Baby started to react to Gaby...and now she interacts with all the girls.

She comes out and meets people and she has actually let other people hold her...Now there is joy in her little face...she is enjoying her life and every day she comes out more and more...

Carol, there is hope for Muffin....it might not happen overnite but by and by she will lose some of that distant look...She probably will never be like your other non mill babies but she will be happy in her own sphere...she just needs you to understand her and keep loving her and accept her for what she can give you...it might not ever be the snuggles and cuddles you get from some of your other kids....but that first kiss she gives you without being prompted will make up for all the days she was so unresponsive.

I have little Mandy now...it is Baby all over again...but even she takes a tiny baby step each day...she slept with all of us last night because it was storming...I was the lesser of the two evils...but I will accept that and appreciate each step she takes.

She let me pick her up today so that I could give her HW and flea meds...she didn't even struggle...how great was that!!!

These kids are amazing....Muffin will bring you so much joy in time...

Les
Leslie Challenger from Florida
Applications Processor
PMR Foster Home

Foster Mom to Lindsey - Yorkie, Missy - Yorkie, Lady - Yorkie and Mandy - Yorkie
Mom to Sassy-shih tsu, Suzie - sheltie/poodle, Sadie - pug/shih tsu; PMR Penny - Min Pin and PMR Baby - Rat Terrier