A Different Perspective
Melodie Lettkeman

Life with an abused dog

Posted Sunday, May 27, 2012, at 12:57 PM
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  • Time, love and patience. And a strong belief that she will change.

    -- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, May 27, 2012, at 1:42 PM
  • Melodie Bless your heart for taking in a doggie that needs you. I have taken many abused dogs into our home and we still have 2. My Teeny a yorkie came from a very bad puppy mill. It took us 2 years to gain her trust. She wouldn't let us touch her, but she would always sit near me and sleep in bed with us. If I tried to pick her up she would run and go under the kitchen table and around and around we would go. Same with the bed, if I tried to pick her up round and round the bed until one of us would give up. We have had her 11 years now and time is running out on her. She has a brain tumor and hangs her head down to the left side and her front legs are now bowed and weak.

    We also have a Chihuahua boy named Coco, he to was abused. His previous owner used a cattle prod on him to train him. When we got him he had burned marks on his face and body. He didn't take to long to trust us, about a year.

    I would tell you to take it slow, and when approaching her go slowly and quietly and talk in a soft voice.

    If you have other dogs she will watch and learn from them. As Roy said have a lot of patience, and accept her the way she is and she will eventually forget her past and love you right back. Abused dogs make wonderful pets, they return love over and over again.

    You can also search the internet for a dog rescue group. They will give you some good advice.

    Here's a group who I know and used to work with the founder when we were with another dog rescue group

    http://www.chrisrescueangels.com/

    -- Posted by MsMarylin on Sun, May 27, 2012, at 2:00 PM
  • We adopted a dog several years ago. She has been the most loving dog that we ever had.

    Thunderstorms still terrify her and if she could melt into you, she would.

    Dogs learn to trust more easily than humans. It will come back some time. Sadie used to run if you shook a trash bag. She doesn't do that anymore, We have had her since 2003. She was waiting for us at an animal shelter. No one else wanted her.

    Thank you for sharing.

    -- Posted by KH Gal on Sun, May 27, 2012, at 5:29 PM
  • We adopted a mini last August and she is finally getting comfortable with her surroundings. For months we had to keep the carpet cleaner close by. She also is terrified of men but is slowly getting better. It just takes time, love, and patience. We socialize her as much as possible and that seems to help build her confidence as well. I hope this gives you some hope that it will get better. :)

    Good luck!

    -- Posted by MargauxandSetiva on Sun, May 27, 2012, at 10:17 PM
  • Time Melodie will make most of it better. Try not to raise your voice in front of her---it will scare her---even if you are just excited (as opposed to angry). Just love her. She will come around. As others have said, you have done a wonderful thing. Animals learn to forgive and trust again far easier than people. She will be a great pet as animals give unconditional love. If she did not want to be close to you, she would run/hide. She has already started to trust you on some level. Baby steps. The rewards are great as you know. Good luck. Please keep us posted. Very nice post as always. Thank you.

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Mon, May 28, 2012, at 7:54 PM
  • *

    Sounds like you're doing the right stuff, just keep on that track!

    2 of my dogs (Rufus) & (Bailey) were pound puppies.... wonderful dogs

    Good to hear from you!

    -- Posted by jessiemiller on Mon, May 28, 2012, at 10:19 PM
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