doxierock
01-19-2010, 12:25 PM
Wow, it’s hard to believe that it’s been 2 years since my dear sweet Dex came into my life. I remember the process like it was yesterday!
Dex’s Story
I reached a point in my life where I decided that I would do what I wanted to make myself happy. That may sound a bit odd but I realized that I was always trying to “please” someone else rather than worrying about pleasing myself. I had purchased my home and it was comfortable for Syd and me.
Syd was starting to slow down a bit and I would see him “perk” up when he was around other dogs. And I love dogs, especially doxies, so I decided to just “look” and see what dogs were available online through rescue. My “big” boss had adopted through DRNA previously and she would sing their praises so that is where I started my search.
I first looked at the dogs in my area but didn’t feel the “connection”. I noticed that some of the dogs were classified as special needs if they needed daily meds and to me that was crazy! Syd was on thyroid pills but I wouldn’t ever consider that a “special need”. I was looking for a long haired red female at the time. Well somehow I got to a profile of a dog in SC. His name was Midnight and he was all black. I remember that picture and here it is:
http://pic90.picturetrail.com:80/VOL2347/11268352/19966106/381449971.jpg
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2347/11268352/19966106/381449977.jpg
And I still have his bio:
Medical Condition: Up to date on shots, Heartworm negative and on preventative, neutered - Special needs: Collapsing Tracheal Syndrome that requires about $ 25.00 a month in medication.
Description: Hi, I am Midnight. I am estimated to be about 7 years old (foster mom thinks maybe 5), almost solid black, longhaired dachshund. I am a special needs boy. My story is that a very nice lady took me home from a shelter and sent me to my foster mom. I was very afraid and spent the first two months in the guest bathroom. Well, I thought I was a guest. Anyway, as I became more comfortable with my new foster parents and siblings, I began to come out and play and get belly rubs and guess what, now I sleep in the big bed. Now my special needs, other than being afraid and slow to warm up is, I have been diagnosed with Collapsing Tracheal Syndrome. That means when I get excited or stressed out or too hot, I honk like a goose. I take medicine every day for this and am doing really good. I can run and play and go for walks, just as long as I don't get too excited or stressed. I hate Daddy's medicine, he hides it in my food bowl and I always leave it behind, but I come running for moms medicine, she gives me these little rolls of roast beef and I love those. My foster mom says I need a quite home with parents that have lots of patience, understanding and love for a special little boy. My foster mom and I are now looking for that home. If you are a likely candidate, please fill out an application and talk to my foster mom about me. She can tell you everything you need to know for me to live a long and happy life. AND as a special needs boy, I am only $xxxx, whatever that means, and my medication is only about $25.00 a month. Am I worth it? YOU BET I AM!
There was something in his eyes that called out to me. I can’t say for sure what it was but I felt like I would be the right home for him. So I filled out an application right there on the spot. I also got a yahoo email account because I didn’t have a personal email one at the time so I wouldn’t miss any emails if they came to my workplace. I was in such a rush that I forgot to inform my references about it (oops!). It was right around Thanksgiving time. I remember being excited and sick about it at the same time.
I emailed Midnight’s foster mom right away to introduce myself and give background on what type of life I lead and how Syd was with other dogs. I felt that Syd’s confidence could really help Midnight. I gave our schedules, what food Syd ate, what time we went for walks, when we went to bed, what time we got up, how long Syd was alone in the house, you name it. I wanted to be the right home for Midnight and I wanted Midnight to be the right dog for us so I was probably exhaustive in my details. Pam and I emailed daily about Midnight. I found I was falling in love with this boy so darn quickly without every having met him. So to make a long story a bit shorter, lol, I got my home visit done and Syd was on his best behavior, I mean really good! I was finally approved to get my boy!
It was in December and Pam does not adopt dogs out in December so I took a longer weekend (my birthday weekend) to go pick him up in VA. Pam was kind enough to meet me in VA instead of me going all the way to SC.
So I’m driving my 6 hours to VA and my stomach is turning. There was a big snow storm too. Did I do the right thing? Am I crazy? Can I handle another dog in my house? Will Syd be mad? Will Syd be jealous? What am I doing? I should turn around and go home. All these thoughts were swirling through my head. I was physically ill. I tried to listen to books on cd in order to quiet my mind.
I get to VA and check in the hotel. Pam and I have adjoining rooms. She left word at the front desk that she would be back but had gotten something to eat. I go to my room and I hear this awful sounding bark. I thought “please don’t let that be Midnight, such an annoying bark (of course it was him!)”. So I waited till Pam came back and I was so excited and nauseous at the same time.
Well there were 3 other dogs and Midnight in the hotel room. I had agreed to take the others back up north for their forever homes. Would you believe that Midnight didn’t want anything to do with me? I knew he was slow to warm up but hey “it was me, all dogs love me no matter what immediately.” All of the other dogs loved me and I was thinking that I made a huge mistake. Why didn’t I adopt one of the other dogs that actually LIKED me? I was very emotionally fragile then because when it came to spending the night Dex didn’t want to be around me and howled for Pam. I cried myself to sleep that night thinking it was not going to be a good situation.
Well, the next day I loaded up put Midnight’s bed in the front seat, apprehensive as can be and said my goodbyes to Pam. Midnight was placed in the bed and for some reason seemed to relax immediately. We drove the 6 hours home and the whole time I was stroking his fur with my right hand and talking to him. I told him that I loved him already and all he needed to learn was to trust me, that was all I was asking of him. I told him I was ok if he never gets over his fear (severely abused boy). I just wanted him to be the best boy he could be and above all, be happy and feel safe. I told him I would never harm him and would do all I could for him. I would take him as he is and love him regardless. I just needed him to try and trust me even though humans hadn’t been very good to him in the past. If he gave me his trust, I’d never betray him. I just needed him to try. Needless to say I was bawling most of the time looking at this creature who had endured so much in his short life and asking and needing him to trust me when he had no reason to.
I had the radio on and “Come on Eileen” one of the one hit wonder songs of the 80’s and the group singing it was Dexy and the Midnight Runners. Well I knew Midnight was not going to work for me name wise because it didn’t roll off my tongue. And I said Dexy in the car, he looked at me so Midnight became Dexy in that instant.
We got home and Dex was very wary of everything. Syd was fine with him just as long as Dex knew he was the boss. He would bark at his own shadow and was terrified to be “exposed” and was very jumpy. I tried to ignore him and let him come to me in his own time. Well he started doing that rather quickly to my surprise. I lived for the little things, the first time he didn’t flinch if I petted him over his head, a tail wag, a look of relaxation. Each little thing made me tear up and my heart felt like it would overflow because I was so happy.
Continued
Dex’s Story
I reached a point in my life where I decided that I would do what I wanted to make myself happy. That may sound a bit odd but I realized that I was always trying to “please” someone else rather than worrying about pleasing myself. I had purchased my home and it was comfortable for Syd and me.
Syd was starting to slow down a bit and I would see him “perk” up when he was around other dogs. And I love dogs, especially doxies, so I decided to just “look” and see what dogs were available online through rescue. My “big” boss had adopted through DRNA previously and she would sing their praises so that is where I started my search.
I first looked at the dogs in my area but didn’t feel the “connection”. I noticed that some of the dogs were classified as special needs if they needed daily meds and to me that was crazy! Syd was on thyroid pills but I wouldn’t ever consider that a “special need”. I was looking for a long haired red female at the time. Well somehow I got to a profile of a dog in SC. His name was Midnight and he was all black. I remember that picture and here it is:
http://pic90.picturetrail.com:80/VOL2347/11268352/19966106/381449971.jpg
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2347/11268352/19966106/381449977.jpg
And I still have his bio:
Medical Condition: Up to date on shots, Heartworm negative and on preventative, neutered - Special needs: Collapsing Tracheal Syndrome that requires about $ 25.00 a month in medication.
Description: Hi, I am Midnight. I am estimated to be about 7 years old (foster mom thinks maybe 5), almost solid black, longhaired dachshund. I am a special needs boy. My story is that a very nice lady took me home from a shelter and sent me to my foster mom. I was very afraid and spent the first two months in the guest bathroom. Well, I thought I was a guest. Anyway, as I became more comfortable with my new foster parents and siblings, I began to come out and play and get belly rubs and guess what, now I sleep in the big bed. Now my special needs, other than being afraid and slow to warm up is, I have been diagnosed with Collapsing Tracheal Syndrome. That means when I get excited or stressed out or too hot, I honk like a goose. I take medicine every day for this and am doing really good. I can run and play and go for walks, just as long as I don't get too excited or stressed. I hate Daddy's medicine, he hides it in my food bowl and I always leave it behind, but I come running for moms medicine, she gives me these little rolls of roast beef and I love those. My foster mom says I need a quite home with parents that have lots of patience, understanding and love for a special little boy. My foster mom and I are now looking for that home. If you are a likely candidate, please fill out an application and talk to my foster mom about me. She can tell you everything you need to know for me to live a long and happy life. AND as a special needs boy, I am only $xxxx, whatever that means, and my medication is only about $25.00 a month. Am I worth it? YOU BET I AM!
There was something in his eyes that called out to me. I can’t say for sure what it was but I felt like I would be the right home for him. So I filled out an application right there on the spot. I also got a yahoo email account because I didn’t have a personal email one at the time so I wouldn’t miss any emails if they came to my workplace. I was in such a rush that I forgot to inform my references about it (oops!). It was right around Thanksgiving time. I remember being excited and sick about it at the same time.
I emailed Midnight’s foster mom right away to introduce myself and give background on what type of life I lead and how Syd was with other dogs. I felt that Syd’s confidence could really help Midnight. I gave our schedules, what food Syd ate, what time we went for walks, when we went to bed, what time we got up, how long Syd was alone in the house, you name it. I wanted to be the right home for Midnight and I wanted Midnight to be the right dog for us so I was probably exhaustive in my details. Pam and I emailed daily about Midnight. I found I was falling in love with this boy so darn quickly without every having met him. So to make a long story a bit shorter, lol, I got my home visit done and Syd was on his best behavior, I mean really good! I was finally approved to get my boy!
It was in December and Pam does not adopt dogs out in December so I took a longer weekend (my birthday weekend) to go pick him up in VA. Pam was kind enough to meet me in VA instead of me going all the way to SC.
So I’m driving my 6 hours to VA and my stomach is turning. There was a big snow storm too. Did I do the right thing? Am I crazy? Can I handle another dog in my house? Will Syd be mad? Will Syd be jealous? What am I doing? I should turn around and go home. All these thoughts were swirling through my head. I was physically ill. I tried to listen to books on cd in order to quiet my mind.
I get to VA and check in the hotel. Pam and I have adjoining rooms. She left word at the front desk that she would be back but had gotten something to eat. I go to my room and I hear this awful sounding bark. I thought “please don’t let that be Midnight, such an annoying bark (of course it was him!)”. So I waited till Pam came back and I was so excited and nauseous at the same time.
Well there were 3 other dogs and Midnight in the hotel room. I had agreed to take the others back up north for their forever homes. Would you believe that Midnight didn’t want anything to do with me? I knew he was slow to warm up but hey “it was me, all dogs love me no matter what immediately.” All of the other dogs loved me and I was thinking that I made a huge mistake. Why didn’t I adopt one of the other dogs that actually LIKED me? I was very emotionally fragile then because when it came to spending the night Dex didn’t want to be around me and howled for Pam. I cried myself to sleep that night thinking it was not going to be a good situation.
Well, the next day I loaded up put Midnight’s bed in the front seat, apprehensive as can be and said my goodbyes to Pam. Midnight was placed in the bed and for some reason seemed to relax immediately. We drove the 6 hours home and the whole time I was stroking his fur with my right hand and talking to him. I told him that I loved him already and all he needed to learn was to trust me, that was all I was asking of him. I told him I was ok if he never gets over his fear (severely abused boy). I just wanted him to be the best boy he could be and above all, be happy and feel safe. I told him I would never harm him and would do all I could for him. I would take him as he is and love him regardless. I just needed him to try and trust me even though humans hadn’t been very good to him in the past. If he gave me his trust, I’d never betray him. I just needed him to try. Needless to say I was bawling most of the time looking at this creature who had endured so much in his short life and asking and needing him to trust me when he had no reason to.
I had the radio on and “Come on Eileen” one of the one hit wonder songs of the 80’s and the group singing it was Dexy and the Midnight Runners. Well I knew Midnight was not going to work for me name wise because it didn’t roll off my tongue. And I said Dexy in the car, he looked at me so Midnight became Dexy in that instant.
We got home and Dex was very wary of everything. Syd was fine with him just as long as Dex knew he was the boss. He would bark at his own shadow and was terrified to be “exposed” and was very jumpy. I tried to ignore him and let him come to me in his own time. Well he started doing that rather quickly to my surprise. I lived for the little things, the first time he didn’t flinch if I petted him over his head, a tail wag, a look of relaxation. Each little thing made me tear up and my heart felt like it would overflow because I was so happy.
Continued