Dickie

Profile

He was found on the streets of Dikili, near the Aegean Sea. A RAGOM volunteer was in Turkey and helped rescue him. When she found him, he was laying up against a car. He had many battle scars, a torn ear flap, and a painful hernia. It seems that Dickie was once with a family, but they chose to abandon him. He was left to survive on his own. He has lived that way for the last 18 months. A very kind and caring shop owner in town was concerned about him and contacted a local Good Samaritan to please help. Devon and Emel loaded him up, and it was time for his new and better life to begin. Thank you to all that helped save him.

Dickie had his hernia repaired, has been neutered, and is up to date on all his shots. He is quite tall and weighs 63 lbs. He should gain another 5 lbs. He, of course, is very highly prey-driven, because he had to search for his food. We are working hard to divert his attention to something else when he sees a squirrel or rabbit. He is getting much better about walking with a Gentle Leader. He loves people and will seek them out for attention.

He is fine with other dogs, but it is not a requirement to have one in his new family. Because of his previous need to defend his food, we give him space and calmness at mealtime. He has gotten better with this issue, but it will take time for him to understand that someone is always going to be there to feed him, love him, and take care of him.

After our walks, I will give all the dogs a treat. I make them all sit, and one by one, they all get rewarded. Dickie knows now that he will be included in getting a treat and doesn't have to try to force his way to get it. Dickie likes to be outside with us. He loves attention and is very affectionate. I tell him often what a good boy he is, and I can almost see him start smiling.