Maya, Day II
I’ve cut away most of her matted fur and she’s had a bath. She arrived Tuesday evening because things got delayed at the shelter. The night was peaceful but she was incredibly scared at first. She’s definitely never lived in a house or with people at all. Her enclosure at the shelter was 3.5 x 1.5 metres, so she was used to spending much of the day laying down. She wasn’t terribly interested in everything I’d prepared in the hall and has instead found a corner of the red room which she seems to like. We’re taking her outside for a couple of laps around the whole perimeter of the garden every hour or so to get her used to doing her business outside only. Feral dogs all have their complications, but I’m hopeful. Oh, and she refused to eat most of the day yesterday, but expecting that might happen I’d boiled a chicken, shredded the meat and kept the stock, and so she when Mike offered her that last night she gave in.
And here’s Bessie and Tara, a long time ago.
My Mazamet 
She’ll come round. Love conquers all, so they say.
LikeLiked by 3 people
And if that doesn’t work there’s bribery 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I forgot about that. It works on humans so why not dogs.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Chicken seems to work wonders on dogs…luckily.
Poor litttle girl…still working out what is happening to her, no doubt, but good food and a cosy bed in a place of her choosing can only help the transition from the shelter.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Now that she’s eating and the initial shock is subsidising, we’re starting to get hopeful. I know it won’t be easy or happen overnight, but fingers crossed!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Time and patience…our Scruffy was found by our employee dumped on the road nearby…starved and terrified. He managed to catch her by leaving food closer and closer to our gates though she would only come when he was far away.
Eventually he managed to catch her and put her in an outhouse with a run where Leo fed her every day but it took a long time before she would come out when he was there.
Once fixed by a food supply she would come out into the garden on her own and met our other dogs – no fear there – and eventually we managed to bring her into the house. Any sudden movement had her looking for shelter, though and she did not want to be touched.
She turned out to be pregnant, and it seemed as though having her puppies changed things for her. She allowed us to touch them and her and brought them out to play. She did try to drive them off when they were weaned but as they refused to leave she resigned herself to their presence!
She is fine now with us…and comes to be scratched and cuddled, though she refuses to be picked up…but greets any stranger with a frenzy of furious barking from a lair under the table.
Needless to say we kept the puppies too…
LikeLiked by 6 people
You have another dog, right, a smaller, nonthreatening guy? Having another dog around to show her the ropes and show that she’s in a good place will surely help. I was a feral child, so I can relate to this. I don’t mind anthropomorphising, not a bit. . She’s not used to getting attention. At first it’s very weird and scary. Eventually she’ll get used to it, sometimes even like it. And a cushy bed, in a stunning red room, that’s not a bad start.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, we have 2, Morgan (Brittany Spaniel) and Rudy (Bodeguero). Morgan is being very helpful 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very sweer😍Is one of your older ones an Irish Wolfhound of sorts?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes! We had three Irish Wolfhounds over the years. It’s one of my favourite breeds, but they’re lives are so short, I just couldn’t handle ever having another one.
LikeLike
We stumbled on an Irish Wolfhound convention at a fancy resort in New Mexico last May. Must have been 20 of them😍 Also befriended a wolfhound of sorts named Damit, it Utah (as in Damit, get off the couch!) Wonderful dogs, but I don’t get huge dogs for the same reason as you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They’re the most extraordinary animals. A way of thinking and reacting that’s almost human.
LikeLike
Aww Maya looks beautiful 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
She’s got a very interesting character. Very curious but entirely reticent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure you’ll figure each other out soon enough 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
We have no choice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a face! I’m sure a gargantuan smile will soon adorn it.
Well done, my good man!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Decent progress today. She’s relaxed more and even had a deep sleep (twitching and all.) Getting the lead on is still a problem. She does crocodile rolls and pulls like crazy. Little by little 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Have you discovered what music she likes? Max, when we rescued him, was a wild lad and got terrible separation anxiety… Until he discovered Bossanova. The transformation was amazing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I normally use the music on DogTv, which works a treat to calm the other two, but I’ll definitely try Bossanova tomorrow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So cool!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Challenges are good for the imaginary soul.
LikeLike
She rose. The Asuras saw her. They called her. Their cry was, “Come, O Māyā, come thou hither.”
— Atharva veda VIII.10.22
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asura]
LikeLiked by 4 people
Ah..she looks so sweet. She is one lucky dog and will grow to see that in time. It warms my head to see that they’re still good people in the world. You are doing a wonderful thing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The truly great people are the ones giving they time at the shelter. I’m always amazed at their kindness and generosity. I felt so guilty after visiting that we went back yesterday, check book in hand, to make a donation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome home, Maya.
She has a haunted look, Pinky. So glad you and Mike took her on. She’ll learn to trust. -massive hugs-
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s already passing. She’s observing everything today, like a very determined student. Fascinating to watch!
LikeLike
Oh, Pinky! That’s really wonderful news. I suspect dogs can sense the intent of the creatures around them, including us humans. Please keep the photos coming. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it’s just wonderful that you guys are doing this for her. She seems just lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Today was fantastic! She’s accepting food from straight from my hand (before I had to set it down on the floor and move away). Building trust is going to be possible. Indoors she’s still refusing to move, though. She won’t budge from her cushions, so the first challenge is getting her to feel safe enough to walk inside the house 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to hear!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello? The world needs your voice.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was just thinking about this yesterday.
Update, please.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Update coming. It’s been serious work; But the closest to a “religious experience” I’ve ever had.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear.
LikeLike
Hello! I’ll be posting this week 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people