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xxlynne · Last edited by xxlynne on Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:14 am; edited 10 times in total

Homed

Homing Requirements: Micky is special needs. Needs a terrier experienced home without too many expectations on him. Micky cannot live with children and only mature visiting children who obey 'rules' until Micky emerges into being able to trust his situation. He needs a secure garden and exit management. A harmonious family who have few visitors and are not too busy or noisy. Micky thrives on routine. He needs to take the initiatives and even then a sensitive owner who goes slowly than his own pace e.g. if invites you, he can easily get out of his 'comfort zone'.

His Story: Micky came into the vets led by a teenager to be put to sleep. Micky was firing on all cylinders behind his muzzle, was completely spooked and terrified by the method of handing and events. He had never been to the vet for any care in his 3 years of life. The family were 'rough'. He needed extremely gentle coaxing and it is a miracle that the vet didn't put him to sleep. At Terrierrescue we work with our dogs to unpack bad experiences and begin to heal and help our dogs with slow achievable steps to regain self confidence and new skills.

Advert: Micky had an abusive past and learning to leave it behind. He has been building trust in foster and now feels safe and loved. Slowly he has embraced the opportunities his fosterers offers- given plenty of space, in his own time. He loves his walks and dances on appearance of a lead. He mixes with but quite insular from his foster companions. Micky can bark excitedly seeing dogs on his walk. Micky may live with a non-intrusive dog or as an only dog but no pressure!

Micky is 3 years old and we suspect a change of relationships in the home has caused him to lose favour or gain rough handling. Micky enjoys access to furniture, needs sensitive visitors that he can feel safe with and keep his distance. He needs to be in his safe place whenever he requires. The overwhelming feel with Micky is he loves to give affection, but is nervous of fast or unpredictable movements. He above all, needs a family who are there for him who not only talk the talk, but very, very slowly walk the walk.

Please visit Micky small JRT DOB 08 Sittingbourne Kent Foster on our Forum to find out more about him and follow his progress.

If you are interested in re-homing please complete Our on line Homing Questionnaire so we can ensure our dogs are matched and will suit your circumstances/lifestyle.

Micky's thread is below what how he emerges in confidence and skills in our Rescue

Micky has lost his trust in humans. He was pulled into the vets by the owners son, with a muzzle on, flying at any stranger who dared to come near him, trembling. At the reception 'the adult son' said he had become aggressive ever since he accidently trod on his testicles?!!!!! Bizarre (Thinking about it; it must have been the dog who trod on his!) In with the vet in a counselling session during the booked 'put to sleep' appointment. He said he had bitten the wife when she had tried to get a pigs ear away from him (!?) A rescuer lady called in as she had a sick cat at the vets. The vets said did Micky have any chance in rescue. 'Only with terrierrescue' I was called and was told how she had given him 15 mins through his kennel, he was coming around but generally ready to pounce on anyone. "We have no kennel space; we have no money; we have very few homes coming up; at a different time we would try!' I put the phone down with sadness knowing this lad would be put to sleep. Last night, a week later, I received a call..Lynne we saved the Jack Russell. I had to go back and forwards to see the sick cat and we grew fond of one another. A vet nurse agreed to form a friendship and walked him even going in on her day off, so the vet neutered him and I transported him to kennels last Friday. We will pay the kennels is there anyway you can take him in the near future. (This rescuer hasn't a penny to bless herself with)

I jumped in the car and went to visit him over near Maidstone this afternoon. Greeted him like a long lost friend and he fell for it..with a quizzled look on his face 'I obviously know you!' The kennel owner and I then went into the back run. He had soon befriended me and jumped up to kiss my nose at one point. On 2 occasions forgot himself and growled. With the kennel owner John it was the opposite he had a frown and sceptical look but then forgot himself and wagged his stump and walked over. Then you could see his confusion and concern, he backed away, then stance forwards with a 'telling you off don't come near me' attitude. I managed to get a collar and disc on him. I walked him around with the lead and he played with it a bit. He wasn't interested in treats. He was very over weight when he came into the vets but has lost some, but is eating at the kennels now. The kennel staff have said he is becoming more trusting from a very frightened little dog. I left on a high note though he did a dash for the gate when John left, we parted friends. We both made a fuss of him back at the front of his kennel. Fed back to rescuer and agreed to pay all the kennel costs, she has too many other bills to worry about. Micky is now ours and we need to move him across to our kennels once we find a few homes for our other friends.

In conclusion this dog has had a beating probably on several occasions. He is petrified of men and stranger generally. Needs an understanding no confrontation foster or permanent home to rebuild trust.

_________________
You can't train the terrier out of a terrier..they are their own persons!

Rescue Remedies Statistics
Registered Charity No.1139407

Pipps · Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 12:19 pm Post subject:

I love the short legged JRT! What a sweety!
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KERSTIN xxx

Jilly Allen · Member Joined: 17 Jan 2009 Posts: 1002

Oh no I have become a JRT lover - he is gorgeous. Yep lots of love and trust and this little lad will I am sure find a great terrier home who knows exactly how to get the best out of him

Poor soul who knows what has happened to him in the past luckily now only has to look forward to a bright future.

A little home or foster must be out there somewhere for him. I asked Buddy if he would like a friend but he said no Sad

BenjiLucy · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 7:48 pm Post subject:

Do you know what he is like with other dogs? He looks so lovely, poor little misunderstood terrier. Only way to defend himself were his little teeth...

Paul&Annie · Member Joined: 21 Dec 2008 Posts: 233

25/11/10. I visited little Micky today. I was greeted without hesitation, like an old friend. Micky heard us coming and was waiting at the kennel run door with his front paws up on the door and tail wagging. Micky and I made friends through the kennel door first, but he was desperate for a cuddle so I went in to meet him properly.
Although we know from his history that in reality Micky has lost confidence in people he presents as being deceptively confident, pressing himself against me for cuddles and nosing through my bag of dog toys and leads. Although his pleasure was evident and he was enjoying himself to the full, he wasn't too boisterous or frantic. He does have that little dog habit of trying to jump to lick your face when you go close to his level. It was a friendly gesture, but people will have to watch out for this and discourage it. Micky loved a back scratch and was happy to be rubbed on his head, ears, shoulders and back, I didn't touch any more sensitive areas as it is early days for Micky.
I first offered treats by dropping them for Micky, but it was soon evident that he had no qualms about taking treats from me and he was very gentle about taking them.
I offered Micky an old tennis ball and he didn't hesitate to take up the game. I was not going to take the ball from Micky, but he understood the game and brought the ball back to me and offered it to me. When he had dropped it, receiving praise and treats, he was very happy for this game to continue. He enjoyed the game but was not completely focused on the ball and showed no obsessing or guarding of the ball. The game was good, but cuddles were better, and often the ball just lay on the floor and I had to remind him it was there.
I had a garden cushion with me in case I had to spend a long time sitting on the concrete floor. Micky did get very focussed on this and tried to "terrier shake" this like a toy. I felt he was getting a bit too excited about this so I removed it from the kennel and as soon as he couldn't see it he completely forgot about it returned to wanting lots of cuddles with the odd bit of tennis ball fetch.
I spent about half an hour giving and receiving fuss in this way.
As Micky was nosing through my bag of bits and pieces I decided to show him a lead in preparation for going on walks, to familiarise him with what he would see. I showed Micky the lead and was ready to put it away, but he showed no reaction to it, so I put it closer to him. As there was still no reaction I offered the lead to his collar and Micky remained calm so I clippped it on. Micky was not concerned about the lead and we spent some time with the lead trailing on the floor. After a while I picked up the end of the lead, and although the lead was so slack he would not have felt anything on his collar, the sight of me touching the lead triggered Micky to bite my hand.
As I remained calm I stayed with Micky for a little while after this, Micky appeared to be stunned and stood very still. I left when Micky was moving around normally and he had got over his shock.
I can only assume that this reaction is related to the kind of harsh handling that little Micky has received in the past. I had attached a short lead as I was just going to take it off again, to familiarise Micky with the idea rather than use it for a walk. I believe that Lynne had used a flexi lead on her meeting with Micky and had more success with this.

xxlynne · Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 5:25 pm Post subject:

29/11/10 Quick visit today, no more than the advised 15mins and at this stage is all he should have in one go. Don't think he could handle the intensity of a longer visit. Keen to have attention when I arrived. Played ball a little which he enjoyed, normal terrier growling. Keen to check me out so let him have a good sniff of rocky and benj.

Doesn't come across as a timid boy, who has suffered abuse and that could lull someone into thinking he's happier than he is and up for more hands on attention than he actually will tolerate. He's not relaxed and he has a wary look to him even when appearing friendly.

He has been indicating when not happy by growling and this is aimed predominantly at John the kennel owner. He seems like a really decent guy and he's noticed Mickys subtle change of mood when he shows his hands or inadvertently gestures too much for Mickys comfort so really makes an effort to minimise this. Saw this myself and it is very subtle and could be missed leading to a bite.

Comes across to me as a dog used to rough play.

Very short and sweet visit, gave him some treats to chew on and left.

Shame I don't live nearer as would like to do a couple of ten minute visits during the day (am and pm) just to get him used to seeing me. Will try to get over there at least every other day and will try for every day when I can although this will still be limited to 10-15 mins.

xx Benji's mum Dianna
_________________
You can't train the terrier out of a terrier..they are their own persons!

Rescue Remedies Statistics
Registered Charity No.1139407

xxlynne · Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 5:27 pm Post subject:

4/12/10 Finally able to be snow free and get over for a little visit with this little one. Lovely to see him. Chat with john and he says he seems happier and a little more relaxed generally and around him. Not growling at him.

Greeted me more calmly than first visit. Took his treats gently. Showed signs of guarding his ball, seemed happier today to just play on his own with the ball with the odd visit to me with it. Fine with me being in his 'home' and just did his own thing with me just there in the background chatting every now and again. Good eye contact and just looks at me like he so wants to trust but can't yet.

I'm going again tomorrow and looking forward to seeing him

xx Benji's mum Dianna
_________________
You can't train the terrier out of a terrier..they are their own persons!

Rescue Remedies Statistics
Registered Charity No.1139407

xxlynne · Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 5:29 pm Post subject:

5/12/10 Another little visit with micky today. Really look forward to seeing the little boy. Yesterday John had mentioned that micky had growled at his son but stopped when the reassuring presence of john appeared. Did clarify sons age today as 38yrs. Thinks he was just taken by surprise at the sudden appearance of him.

Relaxed visit with micky. More keen today to give me attention, pushing his head into my hands clearly wanting affection which he got. Brought up his ball for me to play with him so we did just that. All in mickys good time and I definately feel a little corner has been turned. I feel he's starting to forgive us humans but still slowly slowly. Just a more relaxed less wary little boy today. Allowed me to unclip a stray bit of lead.

As I was leaving John called me over to say that he felt that Micky was more relaxed. No growling and allowing gentle touching from him. All as and when micky wants it but he also felt he was making some tiny footsteps with him. Great because I really feel John has a lovely understanding for micky.

xx Benji's owner Dianna
_________________
You can't train the terrier out of a terrier..they are their own persons!

Rescue Remedies Statistics
Registered Charity No.1139407

xxlynne · Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 10:27 pm Post subject:

Mid Dec: Been to see Micky the last few days and he's doing great.

Gentle introduction to Hubby Darryll on Tuesday with no problems.

Wednesday, it was time he had some fun and freedom and so on went the lead and off for a walk. Walked past the other dogs with little reaction and off out into a field behind the kennel. Who needs the football world cup when you can play terrier football! Had a great time with this little boy chasing the ball for half an hour.
There are some chickens kept in the field and after some initial interest, staring at them, couple of barks, soon decided he couldn't be bothered and off he went.

Same again today, walking nicely on his lead and keen to get to the field for more fun. Went to the wire to say hello to the chickens for two seconds before losing interest completely, deciding he had much better things to do with his time. Really enjoyed his time and it was great to see him running around, the wind in his ears and loving every second of his freedom. Forty five minutes later and time to go but not keen at all to go back into his kennel. Enjoyed some affection and really does seem to be a more relaxed little dog. Lovely to see. For the first time, whined when we left which was sad.

Benji's mum Dianna and key member of rehoming team

_________________
You can't train the terrier out of a terrier..they are their own persons!

Rescue Remedies Statistics
Registered Charity No.1139407

xxlynne · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:59 pm Post subject:

Had a great walk with the gorgeous Micky today. At least an hour and twenty walking around the lanes so great for him to have such a good walk. Ambushed by a large dog springing from his garden down the lane and no reaction other than a little surprised. Spotted rabbits and showed some interest but nothing major and he's quiet as a mouse. My two would bark at rabbits.

Walks so well on his lead, no pulling and recall on the lead excellent. Comes away from things quickly with no fuss.

Ignored the other dogs barking at him as we walked past in the kennels although they make him jump. Little more reactive on his return but nothing over the top and comes away easily. Tried to wash his paws with water from the hose pipe as very muddy but he was scared so did'nt do it. No noise from him or aggression, just backed off.

Whined when I left him.

John sought me out for a quick chat as usual. Always keen to tell me how well he is doing. He does seem to be coping well in kennels and seems settled and happy as much as he can be in a cage.

Really proud of this little boy, making the best of a bad deal.

Love him

x Benji's mum Dianna
_________________
You can't train the terrier out of a terrier..they are their own persons!

Rescue Remedies Statistics
Registered Charity No.1139407

xxlynne · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:32 pm Post subject:

My interreptation on Micky's latest adventure:

Micky came home with Darryl Friday morning with the aim to keep him overnight. He was happy to get in the car and seemed happy to arrive in a familiar warm and welcoming place. It seemed as though as the day went on after a bath and walk and cuddles he began concerned. He settled mainly on a sofa and when his flashes of fear from ghosts in his past came over him, he would do little growls; curl his lip and on occasions as the afternoon wore on, would rush over threatenly and stand close to the scary person's leg. When told 'no' in a kind but firm voice he would walk away. At one point he walked away picked up a toy and lay it at the person's feet and retreated back to his comfort zone.

Micky used similar tactics with the 2 resident dogs. One stood up to him and he backed straight down. In a moment of excitement ref. promised walk and lead, the other dog was too close and there was a tussle but no damage. We think Micky was an only dog so is behaving well to be in the company of other dogs.

Micky slept downstairs and after complaints, Deanna came down and slept close to him...very acceptable. Micky returned to the kennels and seemed relieved to be free of pressure; expectation and the confused and bewildering relationship dynamics of a home. The resident dogs Rocky and Benji had shrunk away from possible confrontation and so are now relaxed in their home too.

BUT didn't Micky do well. Didn't his 'support family do well' Micky is a mass of contradictions at the moment: The need to be close up and extremely loving and then frightened and warning off a possible violator. He did well in that he has learnt despite his intense nerves he was loved; accepted and not confronted. He now has the elements of trust and we can build on this further. He has time to contemplate and be better prepared for the unexpected which will have the smell and familiarity of care on next encounter.

Micky was unhomeable when we took him in. Micky is now borderline homeable and progressing..it will take time but he is building trust. A special family will be there for Micky but meantime if they aren't able to take him in his frightened raw state, we can prepare him so he meets them halfway sometime in the future. Our thanks to the Dianna, Darryl, Rocky and Benji
_________________
You can't train the terrier out of a terrier..they are their own persons!

Rescue Remedies Statistics
Registered Charity No.1139407

xxlynne · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:42 pm Post subject:

Micky with Darryl

Micky with Rocky and Benji

_________________
You can't train the terrier out of a terrier..they are their own persons!

Rescue Remedies Statistics
Registered Charity No.1139407

Dragonmist · Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:23 pm Post subject:

Having read Micky's tale for the first time, I can only say how impressed I am with your care towards this damaged lilltle fellow. He is so obviously well on the road back to trusting. Easy to see comparing the first photos of a confused, frightened boy, to the latest ones showing just a little wariness . In the early ones he appears to be very traumatised, with his head down. The later ones showing more confidence and interest in his surroundings. Well done.

TerenceT · Moderator Joined: 09 May 2011 Posts: 821

Any news of Mickey's progress?
_________________
"Always remember your terriers - Protect them from wet and from cold - For the love of a tyke for its master - Can never be measured in gold" DP Todd "The Terrier Anthem"

martintheveg · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 6:44 pm Post subject:

How is this little fella doing, it`s a heart warming story to see the love and care starting to work,
slowly but surely.