Sometimes They Choose You
By WorDazza
@WorDazza (15830)
Manchester, England
November 16, 2015 6:12am CST
Never a couple to make life easy, Mrs. WorDazza and I have just put the top hat on it this weekend!!
Having just put our house up for sale with the intention of downsizing, and despite us being the property of a couple of cats, we somehow acquired a dog this weekend. It's all a bit of a blur and I'm still not quite sure how it happened but happen it did.
I don't want to go into details but we removed him from a situation in which he should never have been. He has obviously been badly treated by a male at some point in his life and is going to need some serious love and affection to bring him out of his shell.
He is exactly the sort of dog we would have chosen in about 5 years time when we won't be working full-time. But sometimes things don't go to plan. No matter how hard you try to make it so, life doesn't run to a script. Sometimes you just have to do the right thing no matter how inconvenient it may be to you.
He is an absolutely gorgeous dog who hopefully can now have the life he deserves!
9 people like this
8 responses
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
16 Nov 15
He's a poodle. Standard size and jet black. He's been (very badly) trimmed quite short so he looks and feels like a little black lamb. We took him away with the intention of trying to find another home for him but within the space of a day it became obvious he's going nowhere!!
2 people like this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
16 Nov 15
@boiboing I did read that on Saturday night after we acquired him. We've never owned a dog so needed to do some serious research. Despite their reputation for being a bit posey they're actually quite a hardy breed. We're probably going to keep his coat short but have it done professionally in a week or so when he's settled in a bit more.
2 people like this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
17 Nov 15
Congratulations on your new addition to the family!
As he settles in and things get somewhere near "normal", you might find that you need some additional help. I read that you have never owned a dog, so taking in an abused animal can be especially difficult but also very rewarding. Hopefully things will be just fine and the adjustment will go smoothly. If it does not, though, then you might want to enroll your family in a training or obedience course. It can be beneficial to all of you, because there are often behavioral issues that crop up with dogs when they have been abused.
As he settles in and things get somewhere near "normal", you might find that you need some additional help. I read that you have never owned a dog, so taking in an abused animal can be especially difficult but also very rewarding. Hopefully things will be just fine and the adjustment will go smoothly. If it does not, though, then you might want to enroll your family in a training or obedience course. It can be beneficial to all of you, because there are often behavioral issues that crop up with dogs when they have been abused.1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
17 Nov 15
@WorDazza We have had dogs all my life, and we have rescued a good number of them. They have all had issues to some extent, but some of them adjusted pretty quickly without too much problem. Others, however, needed extra help and attention.
I think that you are right about it being too soon to have him in a class with other people and dogs. It sounds like you are very in tune with animals, and you will make an excellent dog-father.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
18 Nov 15
@purplealabaster Thank you very much. It's actually a bit of a joke in my wife's family that all of their dogs seem to like me better than they like they're owners!!
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
17 Nov 15
Thanks for the advice. An obedience course is something I've considered but I think it would be too stressful for him right now. To a large extent he is already very obedient but it is definitely out of fear. Once we get him a bit more relaxed then I'll definitely look into it!
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
16 Nov 15
He's actually such a perfect dog. We left him this morning at 7am to go to work. My wife returned at 12:30 and sneaked round the back to take a sneaky peak to see what he was doing. He was lying quietly on the armchair we have in the kitchen/diner. He hadn't scratched or chewed anything. I think it's all going to work out.
@AdrienneJenkins (274)
• Vancouver, British Columbia
17 Nov 15
We need pictures once his hair grows back in.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
16 Nov 15
Thanks! It's not a perfect situation as we both work full time but our next door neighbour has someone come to let their dog out at lunchtime and spend a bit of time with him. We're hoping she'll do the same for us!
It's certainly a whole lot better than the situation he was in!
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
16 Nov 15
Thank you! I'm sure everything will turn out OK. Pooch is settling in quite nicely. Absolutely loves Mrs. WorDazza, is very nervous around me but even that's improved in the space of 24 hours. He's going to cost a fortune though! He needs a thorough going over at the vets, a decent haircut and we're going to have to get someone to come in and walk him at lunchtime four days a week. I suspect he'll be worth it though!
