Monday, April 23, 2007

How do you mend a broken dog?

Someone vandalized the work site and tried to break into our home while we were out yesterday...I only found the evidence after I found Jack running through the house. WTF!?! K the elder was supposed to put both of them in their crates before left for Ottawa? Here he was, loose and totally freaked out

Jack destroyed his heavy welded metal crate in an attempt to escape from these 'people' and now he's his manic old self again. He can't be crated right now but I needed to shower- I came back downstairs after 5 minutes of speed shower this afternoon to find him trying eat the bars of his kennel, cracking his teeth and screaming. Nash, poor lad, just sat and watched, confused and worried about his big brother.

We were out for a total of 45 minutes yesterday. That's all it took to destroy his sense of safety. When MC & I got back home, he was loose and had ripped out the sun room baffles from the dog bars (yes, I have installed dog bars after he jettisoned himself through the glass trying to escape on several occasions). In order to stop him from slipping through the dog bars (this is the dog that once escaped through the cat door - all 97 lbs of him - we created heavy 'dog-proof' screen baffles to attach to the bars. Yesterday, he ripped the baffle and the screen out. I think that we got home just in time to stop him from leaping out. Thank God for that- at least he didn't get loose and hurt, hit by a car or shot by one of my neighbours.

I just called my Vet's office and they're so wonderful; when they heard how he was behaving, I could hear the Vet Tech's voice change. They know his story and how far he's come. She sounded as worried as I am. She consulted with our favorite vet, Dr. Malloy who told me to give him 50 mg. of Gravol every 12 hours, for a max. of 2 days until we can get him in to the office to get him something stronger. I'm so anti-chemical but this is extreme... We've done all sorts of behavioral modification but he still slips once in a while. Never like this, though. This is totally off the scale or I wouldn't even consider medicating.

I feel selfish saying this but this is the most important week of my business-life and I need to prepare. Instead, I've got this big dog, drooling and whimpering, trying to fit underneath the couch I'm sitting on. He's already tried to climb under the ottoman, the PC desk, and tried to fit into the lower cupboards in my kitchen. His brain is not working. He's gone. Totally fried. Couldn't these stupid f*#ks bother someone else????

I was Jack's last chance, when I brought him home from the pound. They pretty much told me so - after 2 failed adoptions, he was too much for any other family. I didn't believe that it could be that bad - I was wrong. It was worse. He has been so badly scarred by his early life that he cannot take any changes, noises or even some smells. Motorcycles terrify him. Children terrify him. Life terrifies him. Right now, I terrify him. After years of being his only trustworthy friend, he now feels like I'm out to get him too. I may never be able to leave him alone again... Does anyone out there what to do with this?

I'd better close this before my tears short circuit my laptop...

12 comments:

Taz said...

Oh hon I am so so sorry that some selfish, ignorant people have done this to Jack and you. I can feel the pain and stress through your words, I wish I had to words or the advice to make this all better for you all...I really do.

Bumbershootska said...

Thanks, Taz
I think that there really are no words... but I appreciate your kindness
I've sedated him with 2 gravol pills (for motion sickness) but he's still a little wierd. I hope that we can get him back to 'sane' soon
He's going to Dr. M's as soon as I can get him in the car without him ripping the seat to shreds in fear
I'm worried that he'll end up on prozac

Barking Biscuit said...

How terrible! Hang in there. Jack needs you. Remember your friends who will lend you supporting shoulders.

Bumbershootska said...

Thanks, Sara
poor old dude - he doesn't deserve this....The girls a LAWS were pretty pragmatic about his mental state but I've always believed that we would conquer this. Drugs aren't the real answer but maybe they'll get us through 'til the weekend
I hope that someday, the person who beat him as a puppy learns how scary Jack's world is - first hand!

Anonymous said...

Poor bugger...

Bumbershootska said...

Yup...poor stoned bugger, indeed

Taz said...

How's Jack doing today?

Bumbershootska said...

He spent a quiet day (drug free -yay!) with all of us home. It'll be just me tomorrow and if he tries to bolt out the window, I'll have to sedate him. It would be so much easier if he was one of my mates - I'd just pour him a drink (or 8) and let him sleep it off
(thanks for asking :) )

Celena said...

That's so sad. My dog Mowgli was terrorized while in her crate by a burgler when I was in college. She has never been the same since. I've also had to sedate her on several occasions and she won't go anywhere near a crate.
Good luck!

Bumbershootska said...

It's terrible what a bad experience can do to a dog. People will tell you that they don't engage in their world on a similar level to humans but they're liars. I hope that both Mowgli (great name!) and Jack can get over their fears and start to enjoy life again
I'm trying to work past the feeling that I've let him down...

Taz said...

Glad to hear he's had a better day. I know what I'd like to do to the horrible people that do this kind of thing to our wee beasties.

Bumbershootska said...

me too- and it involves those hedge trimmers that you suggested for the the workcrew...
He's still not the dog he was a week ago but we're not giving up on him. You don't ditch on a guy like Jack :)