In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, this is a story about a family for which one dog is very grateful.
Pronto is an Aussie mix recently adopted by Beneficent Altruistic Rescue Kinfolk, also known as BARK.
BARK families are incredibly good-hearted people who seek out the dogs that no one else wants. If a dog is blind, has one leg, is on long-term daily medication, and has been in the shelter since 2009, a BARK family will happily give her a forever home.
Pronto is physically fine in every way. Her issues are psychological. Someone in her unknown but recent past – she is only 2 years old – did a number on her, and so Pronto is a timid, fearful dog that trembles in the presence of strangers, runs from loud noises, and tries to melt into the carpeting of her new home, hoping that no one will notice her.
Pronto’s rescue family includes daughter Sandra, a teenage girl with whom the dog has bonded. That is an understatement. The term Velcro Dog implies the potential for separation, hence Pronto is beyond Velcro – she is a SuperGlue Dog.
The other members of Pronto’s family do not exist in her mind. She will not come to them when they call her. Instead, she scurries into Sandra’s room and dives into the closet there. Pronto follows Sandra everywhere, including the bathroom. Even if Sandra’s door is closed, she will hover there until she can nose her way in again.
Rather than becoming part of the family, Pronto has attached herself as an appendage to Sandra. No one is happy about this. Sandra, because she can’t function with a constant doggie shadow. Her parents, because Pronto won’t cooperate with them with even the basics like going outside for a potty break. And Pronto, because she is just as nervous and anxious now as she was two months ag
o when she was first adopted.
A benefit of working with BARK families is that they will do anything to help their dogs acclimate successfully and become happy, well-adjusted companions. Sandra agreed to take herself out of the picture – temporarily – so that Pronto could learn to rely on, and trust, Sandra’s Mom and Dad.
Sandra’s parents took over responsibility for feeding the dog and walking the dog. Instead of trying to win a place in her heart with crooning words, petting or treats, the family is letting Pronto relax in a peaceful, non-stimulating, and calm environment. They keep her with them on leash in the house, but without the eye contact, confusing voices, and touching that made her so anxious. And she is gradually learning that everyone in her forever home is there for her in a safe, non-threatening way.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for caring about your dogs, training your dogs, helping your dogs be the best they can be, and for being a BARK! blog reader.
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