407 replies to this topic

[bc4ever]

You go, Kelso!!! You're safe now.

[KrisK]

Go, Kelso...wag that tail ...D'Elle, keep up the great work. It sounds like he's come a long way already!

[D'Elle]

More progress to report. The tail wagging wasn't a fluke, as I had feared, because he greeted me with it again tonight when I got home. And he did 5 trips back to the house from the end of the yard tonight. (right about then I was getting tired of carrying him!)

He still will not eat unless I feed him by hand, but at least he is eating more than he did the first couple of days.

AND he has started coming out, all on his own, from the laundry room, where he has been hanging out, and into the kitchen. This is great, because he is no longer totally isolating himself all the time. It seems to me that he has turned the first corner -- he has started having some interest in being alive, and is participating in the process instead of just being dead weight. This is a very big step and I find it encouraging. :-)

Keep sending your good thoughts his way, if you would.....every little bit surely cannot hurt.
D'Elle

[Gloria Atwater]

Great news, D'Elle! I'm so glad to see such progress so soon. Who knows where he'll be in a year's time! Beaming more good thoughts to dear little Kelso, from the pack here in Nevada.

~ Gloria

[brady's mom]

What great progress! Keep it up! <3 Sending lots of mojo and good vibrations to you and Kelso from Washington.

[JohnLloydJones]

It seems to me that he has turned the first corner -- he has started having some interest in being alive, and is participating in the process instead of just being dead weight. This is a very big step and I find it encouraging. :-)

That is good news. You might want to start preparing him for leash walking by attaching his leash and just letting it drag until he gets used to it. Then you won't have to carry him everywhere.

BTW, what is it about the laundry room that makes it feel like a safe haven for traumatized dogs. Maybe it's because there's usually no window? I had a foster whose favourite place was the back of the laundry room with his head stuck between the dryer and the wall.

[D'Elle]

Kelso is making such good progress! He is really surprising me. Honestly, the first couple of days I actually wondered if he would make it because he was completely uninterested in being alive. But today he actually got up on his own for the first time! When I came home he wagged at me and then got into a sitting position all on his own for the first time. And when I opened the door he actually got up and went out without my having to put him on his feet and walk him along.

Encouraged, I went and got the leash and we went for our first walk. I coaxed him out the gate and we walked together around a little bit of the front of my property, with me just holding the leash and following wherever he went. This was also a big step because previously if I put a leash on him he turned into a starfish and I would have to peel him off the ground. He got really tired walking, but I got him to walk a lot farther than he ever has before.

He still walks like a cripple, but I believe now that with time he will walk - and even run - normally.

Another step today: he ate out of a food bowl for the first time. I still had to hold the bowl for him (I don't think he can bend down to the floor like a normal dog), but I did not have to hand feed him.
Oh gosh, he is just the most beautiful dog, and I believe that he will be a sweetheart when he finally finds himself. I have grown fond of him, and all day long I look forward to coming home so I can work with him again.

I am very impressed with how far he has come in less than a week, and I let him know it all the time!
D'Elle

[Maralynn]

Your latest post about Kelso put a huge smile on my face, D'Elle!!

Keep up the great work

[ShoresDog]

Nice! He's coming along brilliantly under your care. Keep the updates coming!

[Jedismom]

I'm so happy for him! Where are the pictures?

[urge to herd]

Made my day, D'elle, you and Kelso! What a grand thing to happen for him - give him a scritch from us.

Keep up the great work,

Ruth

[mbc1963]

I'm so happy for him! Where are the pictures?

Not just pictures! I want VIDEO!

Mary

[JohnLloydJones]

Encouraged, I went and got the leash and we went for our first walk. I coaxed him out the gate and we walked together around a little bit of the front of my property, with me just holding the leash and following wherever he went. This was also a big step because previously if I put a leash on him he turned into a starfish and I would have to peel him off the ground. He got really tired walking, but I got him to walk a lot farther than he ever has before.

...

Another step today: he ate out of a food bowl for the first time. I still had to hold the bowl for him (I don't think he can bend down to the floor like a normal dog), but I did not have to hand feed him.

That's marvelous. Now that he is able to go for walks, he'll get more stimulation and the exercise will build up his strength. It's also encouraging that he is eating out of a bowl -- even Taff wouldn't eat from a bowl initially; nor would he take from my hand, he'd eat only if I dropped pieces on the floor. I'm joining the chorus of people asking for photos.

[KrisK]

Doing the happy dance for you and Kelso!! With the progress you're making, I can see a time when you'll be asking him to slow down What a great Easter present

[airbear]

Go Kelso go! Can you hear the cheering from Vancouver?

Wick (though not as desperate a case) took a long time to come out of her shell. She kind of skulked around like a dog who was deciding whether life was worth all this stress. It took 4 months before she could make eye contact with me. The first time her nubbin wagged at me, I cried.

Love reading the updates, keep 'em coming! And maybe a video with Wham! music as the soundtrack?

[PSmitty]

Wow, I'm loving the updates and reading how well Kelso is doing under your love and care. Keep up the good work!

[Star]

That's great!

[gcv-border]

I look forward to your updates too. Keep up the great work, and Kelso is one extremely lucky pup now.

Jovi

[D'Elle]

Many, many thanks to all of your for your cheers, encouragement, and good energy sent Kelso's way. And thanks for your kind words to me as well. In response to requests, here are some more photos.
This one was taken in the shelter in Austin, I think. At any rate, it was before he left Texas. A lady from there said in an email that he was the most shy and frightened of the group that they had there - wouldn't move from the back of his enclosure unless he thought no one was watching.


This is Kelso on day three at my house:


Here he is on day 5.....finally walking around....


And here he is today, day 6....looking right at me!!! (Isn't he just beautiful?)


My questions for anyone who can answer them today:
Anyone have experience with something called K9 SuperFuel? I have heard it recommended for dogs who are in poor condition. It is very expensive (by my standard) so I would like recommendations before I buy it, although if it will help Kelso I will spring for it gladly.

Next issue is that now he is letting me know he really doesn't want me to pick him up and carry him to the end of the yard for exercise. Equally, of course, I cannot coax him nor can I tug even ever so gently on the leash. He is starting to move away from me when I approach him to pick him up now, because he doesn't want me to carry him out to the end of the yard. But what do you folks think? Should I do it anyway to make him walk more? On his own he is walking a little bit, but I don't know if it is enough for his optimal recovery.

Not that he moves away from me all the time. While I was taking photos of him today he kept walking up to me, so that's a good thing. But he can tell when I am about to pick him up and although he lets me do it, he doesn't really like that. I am a bit torn about it - wanting to make sure he gets enough exercise to get strong but not wanting to annoy him.

Today a friend came over to meet him at my invitation and he pretty much shut down again while she was here, although he was looking at me again once she left. Clearly, socialization will take some time.

Thanks again to all of you who are taking an interest in him.
:-)
D'Elle

[airbear]

Anyone have experience with something called K9 SuperFuel? I have heard it recommended for dogs who are in poor condition. It is very expensive (by my standard) so I would like recommendations before I buy it, although if it will help Kelso I will spring for it gladly.

OK, first off, I'm in tears with that last pic. The expression on his face ... it's like he's saying "Oh, hello! Thank you for everything, I'm much happier now".

My understanding with K9 Superfuel is that it's like an energy drink for your dog. We sometimes get them in the goody bags at agility trials. My friends who use it do so to ensure that their dogs drink water throughout the trial. I've not heard of it used for dogs in poor condition, though I suppose it couldn't hurt, though it is expensive!

Have you ever tried satin balls? I've made them for my skinny-mini dog (not that she is in poor condition, but because she can lose 2-4lbs in a weekend trial). Satin Ball recipe You feed them in addition to their regular food, and it's fairly cheap to whip up a batch.

Loving the updates. Go Kelso go!!!