Well, she easily made it through her first day in her new found home. She has managed to cower all four of my other dogs – individually, and as a pack. Amazing, as they are all twice as big as she is. I imagine her snarling at them, “You ain’t nothin’ I just survived weeks in the wilds with mountain lions, coyotes, and foxes. You think you scare me? Ha, this is MY human now! Know what I went thru to find her? I walked miles and miles through the wilderness. Yup, she’s mine now!” And it is true. She has won my heart. Not over the others, but in addition too. I worked hard all day to make sure the others did not feel neglected. Whew, I had no idea the turn my day would take when I woke up.
She ate 4 cups of dog food yesterday, spread throughout the day so she didn’t get sick. She scarfed the last one as hungrily as she did the first. it will take some time to put all that weight back on, so I may have to add some things to her diet.
I took her out on a leash, twice, and she did very well, although not her “business.” She is either leash trained, or not wanting to get more than inches away from me, borne out by her inside behavior. Not fond of the great outdoors, at the moment. That’s okay. She can have a few mistakes inside, as long as she doesn’t make a habit of it. She gets some special consideration for a while.
She needed constant reassurance yesterday, so my day was completely rearranged to accommodate her needs, assimilate her into my tribe, make her feel safe, above all. She followed me everywhere, and whenever I sat, stood, or walked, she was right there sitting at my feet. She wanted up in my bed, but it is too tall, and I did not want to encourage a tick-infested dog into my bed. So, I laid a big fluffy bath towel near the back window door, where I was within sight. She can watch the world outside and me, too.
I have yet to hear her bark, yelp, or make any sound other than this slight snarl she used with the other dogs to establish her place in the pack. They all listened.
I called the shelters in Monterey and San Luis Obispo, posted everywhere, checked Fido Finder, Craigslist, and did what I could to find her “other” human. I emailed and took calls all day. At sunset, we were all settled in for the night, including the cats.
About 9 pm, Missy started acting a little differently. She gave out a quiet whimper, the only sound I had heard her make all day, with the exception of the quiet little dominance, leave me alone snarls I had heard directed at my dogs. She was wandering through the house, so I decided since she needed to go outside to go potty. I had taken my leg off, was in my pjs, and dogs don’t go out at night up here, due to mountain lions.
I got up, put my leg on, didn’t bother getting dressed, grabbed the leash, led her to the door and opened it. Dakota got out, but Missy took one look at the dark, and decided she didn’t want to go after all. I can only imagine the scary nights she shivered and hid through recently, but I reassured her and led her out. Dakota stayed with us, and Missy stayed close to me. We went to a dirt area, we went to a grassy area. All she did was sit. I gave up and told her we weren’t going out anymore tonight. Then, she looked at me with those sweet, loving eyes again. I pretended I didn’t notice her, and she went back to her spot and laid down. Smart dog.
What a wonderful tale… can’t imagine what she might have been through. Whether she ends up in her pack, or finds her original family, seems like she’s landed on her paws. One lucky dog.
Lucky dog!
Hello Precious One … You Have L+A+N+D+E+D !!!
AND a Kiss to your New Human, who gives you a Place and Space.
What a good Mom you are!
Beautiful story.. I have two adopted dogs, even tho I am basically homeless- I found someone else who likes dogs, to live with, and between us we now have seven, but if one showed up like that I’m pretty sure we’d take another. Right now they all mostly get along and two are indoors with us, the other seven have been amazingly good about not packing up and running. As much as I love my dogs sometimes it amazes me how little effort it can take to get them to understand something. They are true blessings!
she is absolutely precious AND she is very lucky to be there with you! does the Monterey SPCA have a “lost” announcement or Craigs List or something like that? I know she’s not chipped. She is precious!
Glad she just fits right in. If no one claims her, she will be lucky to have found a good home.
This Missy pup passed other roads to other houses and headed for you, lovely. It’s so heartwarming to hear of you adjusting to each other, the good resident doggies and cats who are understanding. Animals know, they size up fast and right.
I hate to even say it, but I kept thinking of it since an earlier post about her not barking. There are vets now, who will, for pet owners, ‘debark’ dogs so they are acceptable to condo committees. New chic. Pretty horrific. And in Virginina, the land of medical laboratories, they did that routinely, and especially Beagles who are much used. Runaway Beagles were contantly found and quietly rescued by locals, Virginians love dogs. So even if you take her in to see if there’s a chip to read, find out about her vocal chords first. If she’s had surgery, screw the chip.
She’s absolutely beautiful, and I’m thrilled for you both.
If whoever “lost” her is not searching for her–there may be any number of reasons for that–then I’d consider it a bit of destiny for all of you. I agree with Holycowgirl about the chords and chip etc. You and yours could be the best things for Missy the Mystery.
I like the comment, above, from “Holycowgirl” about screwing the microchip if she has been de-barked. 🙂 Thank heavens she found you, Kate. Needless to say, there are not many people who would have welcomed a stray into their home. I love it that she walked right in, found you and layed down next to the bed. Beautiful dog.
Again I will say… i’m so glad she found you. 🙂
A love story no matter how it ends, you are so generous and she is so good that it may be a match made in the wilderness, am always impressed when a creature can survive out there and then arrive at a safe place to rest and be loved. Kate you are the best which is why she made have arrived on purpose. Good Luck you gentle soul.
Hi Kate: Do you still have this dog? We’ve located the owners we think. Get back to me ASAP! Thanks, Sandy
Hi Kate: We thought we found the owner of this dog but it turns out they had a male dog missing with no tail. Missy could be my dog, Gus’s sister it is sooo close. I think I will call the folks I got Gus from & see if they have any missing dogs? Does she have a tail? Missy is half border collie & half mcnab & they are a priceless breed!!