04/09/2024
This article struck me because I was recently hospitalized & I had someone take care of my dogs(in my home)for 10 days (my husband was there for 8 of those days) When I got home there was a noticable change; I could NOT leave them. They clung to me! It took 2 months until things went back to normal. The following was Written by Os Jose. Who posted it on Quora “dog lovers”…This is about adopting from rescue groups.
If a dog changes owner because his human can no longer take care of him (e.g. lack of time, break-up, sickness, radical life change), will the dog miss him and live unhappily for the rest of his life (even if next owner is loving)?
I’ve rescued dogs for many reasons, the latest one was his owner gave him up to the Humane Society. At first at the Humane kennel, this dog was friendly and when we took him home, his attitude changed. This was not new to us. Dogs when we adopt normally have been in foster home care. This dog was straight out of the humane society. We were told he had only been there two weeks. Mind you in two weeks when they brought him in, he went to see the Vet, out into some sort of isolation and treatment, etc.
As soon as we took him out, he refused to go in the car. I had to carry him. As soon as he arrived at home he refused to go inside the house. When he did he refused to be touched by anyone. We left him alone but provided water and food.
Time for a walk and he walked and walked as if he was looking for his ex-house. He was not like this when we walked at the kennel. Yet he did p**p and peed. So for a couple of days that is what he did as if he looking for his old house and his owners.
This is true for all the dogs we rescued- not a single one bonded quite easily and when they did bond with us, it was because we allowed them to grieve. They are like humans they miss their humans. Some get sick, some refuse to eat, and some just simply want to be alone. My advice to you is soft voice, be kind, walk them, show love and good snacks. They will get better and they will be yours because trust is earned.
RELY: Sandi M repliedto SoJose
My experience with rehoming a dog is that if shown love and great care then they will be fine. It isn’t going to happen immediately though. Their life has been upended from the home snd situation they knew. They will be sad. They may be distant. They are grieving!
be patient and you will be rewarded. They will come to love you as much and oftentimes (depending on previous situation) more than the love they gave before.
our most recent rehomed dog is absolutely loving us and his life. He moved with my daughter from Florida to Boston to NYC. He gets walkies in Central Park and to Target, Starbucks, the pharmacy, pet stores, sidewalk cafes snd more! He is very happy and loves us dearly!
