While working on rescuing Gizmo from Ohio, our family joined a local dog rescue called Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue (www.psbrescue.com) in October 2008. Gizmo's story is posted on pages of this blog.
We adopted Gizmo at the same time we decided to become a foster family to PSBR. Taz and Gizmo (the twins) quickly formed a bond and became a crucial part of our dog rescuing formula. They created a pack that made rescues feel comfortable, especially puppy mill dogs. The mill fosters would watch Taz and Gizmo safely interact with humans and begin to realize that humans could be kind and loving. The foster dogs would follow the twins outside and learn where to do their potty. They learned to share food, toys, and affection. They learned to play, basically they learned the joy of being a dog.
Taz was our nurse to the sick and teacher to the ones who needed education. She was the alpha female and made sure every dog who came through the door instantly knew their place in the pack. At a whopping eight pound this blond bombshell loves kids, tolerates injustices, balances the scales and has an abundant amount of love to give every living creature (but don't mess with her pink stuffed pig - just a healthy warning).
Gizmo makes even the most fearful and timid dog feel welcome. His shy, but sweet nature allows the traumatized foster dog to relax and find some peace before embarking on their journey to their forever home. Always willing to share his heated bed and his food Gizmo offers up warm gooey dollops of kindness that can be misinterpreted as weakness. If you do decide to challenge the little dude be prepared for a sneak attack by his big sister, who is very protective of her special little brother.
We had the absolute set up: a pair of wonderfully bonded shih tzus and the ability to foster nearly any dog. We thought we had the perfect family, and then we met Poco.
Poco arrived at our doorsteps through the SPCA. Our rescue frequently takes the dogs that fail the adoption test and are considered "unadoptable" - without our rescue these dogs would be euthanized.
Poco was surrendered to the SPCA in February 2009 from a family who stated the dog had become aggressive with their fourteen year old daughter. I read the surrender documents that stated Poco was fearful and shaking all the time. He'd never bit anyone, but he growled at his owners. Poco's family consisted of a single mom and teenage girl and it didn't take us long to understand where Poco's fear originated.
It wasn't until early March that we picked Poco up from a central site where our coordinator decides which family fosters which dogs. Our family had fostered approximately ten dogs in the six months since become members of PSBR. It was often heart wrenching, but we'd nursed, cared for, cleaned and vetting the fosters and still managed to let them go to their own forever families.
Poco was in bad shape physically and it was easier to deal with those issues rather than the mental and emotional problems that he would eventually divulge. When Poco was surrendered they weren't sure of his gender because he was so matted. He was a solid mat from his ribcage to the tip of tail. His skin and bottom were hot, red, angry, infected and thick with matted feces. The smell was incredible. Both of Poco's ears were infected and he was badly underweight and flea infested. The vet was unable to take blood as he was so emaciated and dehydrated that his veins were flat. It was obvious he had extra bends in his back legs suggestive of untreated fractures and Poco had a funny walk.
We brought Poco home and started to clean him up. He growled and tried to bite, but we knew it was out of fear. We muzzled the little guy and got to work with gentle shampoos, gentler hands, kind words and a good pair of clippers. We clip our own dogs. I'm not a professional and sometimes it turns out better than others, but we are glad we do this so when a dog like Poco comes along we can tend to his needs rather than send him to a groomer. It's bonding, ensure proper care and cost effective.
We determined Poco is a neutered male with a few swipes of the clippers. The SPCA had done a little grooming, but I spent ten minutes brushing what I thought was his tail that turned out to be a mat, so I shaved it all and gave him a sweater. His nails were so long they had grown into his pads and he had even more difficulty walking. I clipped nails and had to pull them out of the pads where they left round sores, but at least the healing had begun.
Oral antibiotics, good food, water and clean living were ordered by the vet. Poco's paperwork did not lie - he shook, trembled and panted. This behaviour worsened with storms, loud noises and at three o'clock in the afternoon. I'm not sure what time school gets out, but I'm certain Poco didn't break his own back legs.
Poco was terrified of women and children. It took months before I could touch him other than to put a leash on to go for a walk. He shook for three months sitting in the middle of our kitchen floor. We tried to build his confidence and make him welcome. We were kind, but couldn't break through the barrier. He was a trembling statue that was completely shut down to the outside world.
It was a warm beautiful day in May that we were outside playing ball with Taz and we saw Poco come alive. We threw the ball and he shot out of nowhere and brought it back to drop it at our feet. Again and again we threw the ball and Poco's tail went up and he smiled for the first time.
We believe Poco has post-traumatic stress disorder that causes his uncontrollable shaking, anxiety and panic attacks. We tell people that Poco is a tough ex-Navy Seal and he's seen things that you don't want to know about, he's done things that you can't imagine and he's survived horrific atrocities.
We could speculate on Poco's previous life, but we won't because our imagine is not that twisted. The abuse was outrageous and makes us sick. Neglect, broken bones, severe anxiety, fear of children and woman can only lead us to believe his family is guilty of neglect and abuse so traumatic Poco may never recover. He had nightmares for weeks when he first came to the farm to heal. He'd wake up crying and whining until he realized where he was - curled up on a warm, soft, clean bed between warm bodies who loved him very much.
In the first few month we had Poco he bit me three times out of fear. He never broke the skin and was incredibly remorseful afterwards. He was defending himself against evil. The horror that leads a sweet dog to behave like is unimaginable.
After three months Poco was physically well enough to be put up for adoption, but we really didn't think anyone would understand this ex-navy seal and his issues. We didn't think anyone would want him, but we were wrong. Within days of his profile going up on petfinder (www.petfinder.com) there was a lady willing to adopt Poco.
Crunch time. Could we let him go?
Having two dogs with health issues is one thing, but having three dogs with issues is an undertaking. If we did decide to adopt Poco our pocketbooks couldn't handle another dog. Three was our max and it was probably a little beyond, but we'd manage. We could still foster, but we knew Poco wouldn't be able to help other dogs like the twins. Poco has his own gifts and has passed on his joy of fetch to all the fosters that have crossed our doorway since he took up residence.
We adopted Poco. His frail body grew strong over the first year and he went from nine pounds to thirteen pounds of muscle. His hair grows very slowly, but he has a beautiful white and cream coat and bright black eyes thickly lined with black pencil. He's very attractive and everyone who come to adopt a foster asks if he's up for adoption as well.
Poco still has trouble with storms and three o'clock, but he likes to cuddled (sometimes) and loves conversation. Not one for baby talk Poco is more of a man's man and as an ex-navy man Poco won't wear pink or allow me put bling on his collar, but he can hot wire a car, beat you at bare knuckle boxing and has clearance work security anywhere in the world. Don't underestimate our Poco, he's seen things that you wouldn't want to know, and he's coping. Poco brings new meaning to survivor (not the reality show).
Poco has a resemblance to the character Falcor from the movie The Neverending Story and he's a shoe-in for a twin brother.
We love our Poco and can't imagine life without the little guy (sorry - tough guy). We've started him on a new herbal anti-anxiety called L-theanine, but it hasn't made much difference. I've always thought anti-anxiety drugs for dogs was a bit of joke, but having lived with Poco for over a year and watched him shake everyday I'm starting to wonder if a little something might make the difference in his life. Paxil for pups?
It's nearly one am and I'm suffering insomnia while editing this page, but lucky to be watching Poco perform some of his judo moves on a giant stuffed pig who's head whines when you shake it too hard. I smile a warm smile of affection as he walks his funny walk over to drink at the water bowl. Okay Poco-Bunny (he hates that) time for bed. A few air licks later and we're headed for sleepy time.
"Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to." Alfred A. Montapert
