Journey

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Sponsored by:

Helen Krone
"In loving memory of my Golden Angel, Michelob"

April 4, 2012

On March 25th I decided to take a "Journey". And, Oh what a Journey this will be. Along with 28 other beautiful, scared, and shy creatures, Journey made the trip north to Minnesota from MO. She and the others were rescued by a wonderful group of RAGOM’s volunteers who have hearts of gold. They made the long trip with fierce determination to save as many golden prizes as they could. That Sunday morning I had the privilege to joined those who had worked through the night to drive them to freedom, give them basic medical care, water and some food if they would eat. Each of the 29 have a unique story of their own and their foster’s. Over the next several weeks, I will tell you Journey’s story.

We were told that Journey’s birthday is 8/16/2010. She has most likely had several litters. We don’t know that for sure. What I do know is she has a beautiful gold/cream color coat that surprisingly is in good condition. She has big paws and a curly butt of fur. She has these big brown/gold/amber color eyes that at times are very soulful. I wonder if she thinks of her life before, born and living in a cage. I have whispered to her more than once; “Journey, you’re not in MO anymore”. The day Journey came to live with us, she was very scared. She would hide her head in the corner of the kennel. She would not make any eye contact and she if caught me looking at her she would start to shake. Even the faintest of pets would cause her distress. I wondered if the RAGOM angels were the first human contact she has known? The greatest moment of the first day was when I learned she was concealing a very playful heart. I saw it that very first day only hours after she arrived when she met my resident Goldens’ Max and Bentley and pipsqueak Duster. I had gotten the kennel that she was transported in as far as the garage. I had spent some time quietly sitting with her in the garage. I then decided to leave her alone for a while to give her some space. After a time I let Max come down the stairs to the basement. I peeked around the corner to see her up on her feet, wagging her tail. Banging it against the sides of the kennel. So excited to meet my Head Foster Assistant. My first AhHa moment. Next down the steps came 2nd Assistant, Bentley. Oh the pure JOY she exhibited when she caught sight of the handsome Bentley. To watch her go from this small lump of fur curled up in the corner to a beauty standing on four gorgeous legs shaking her whole body is the first of many wonderful moments that I am sure we will have on our journey together. Journey did not eat for the first couple of days. She took water, which is always such a relief to us fosters when we take in these special pups. I was able to get her outside to my secure fenced in deck starting the first day. I had to carry her from the kennel to the deck and then back again. No amount of coaxing would get her to move. Starting around day 4 she would leave her kennel with the others to go from the dining room to the back door and out. I let my Head Foster Assistant and 2nd Assistant, Max and Bentley show her the way. I tag along behind. She has a long lead that trails behind. The first one I had on her made too much noise. As it trailed behind her and clanked against the wood it would scare her. During the first few days sudden movements or loud noises will scare her. It will take a lot of time for her to get accustom to living in the world instead of a confined cage.

These early days have been hard. I want so much to give her hugs and lots of pets, but contact that my resident dogs can’t get enough of, only scares her. She watches the others crawl all over me, getting lots of love and giving lots in return. At first she would even hide her face from it. Now she watches with intent. A day will come when she will be there, pushing the others aside to get to me first. I must be patient. Baby steps are not just for humans.

She has made a trip to the vet. She was very scared but I was also proud of how brave she acted. She allowed the vet to do a quick physical. Journey has a yeast infection in both ears. Unfortunately the only medication that can be given has steroids. Steroids could cause deformities if she is carrying pups. Yes, that is also part of Journey’s story. We were told that she was bred the week before. It is too soon to know if she is pregnant so all precautions are being taken to make sure that if she is, that the pups will be healthy. At this point, her ears are being treated by washing the outside area to reduce the PH level. She is negative for worms. She has had her rabies shot but we will have to wait for the other shots until we know if she is pregnant. It will be a minimum of two weeks before they can make a determination of pregnancy. Until we know and she has been spayed she is not available for adoption.

Journey and I have made progress. The kennel is her safe spot. It sits next to the dining room table that I sit at while I do my college studies. While I am home the door is open and she will venture out to sniff and check things out. She retreats to the kennel if she is spooked.

The first few days on the deck she was constantly in motion as she would walk from one end to the other. If I stayed in the house and peak out, I was rewarded with seeing her and the boys playing. She will often times initiate the play. She really is quite the tease with the boys. This last weekend, she started to relax some and would actually lay down and enjoy the fresh air. Her spot is next to the door. Through that door is her safe spot – her kennel. Journey has not made a single bark yet. Each day I see small improvements of feeling more confident. I must be patient. Something as small as the noise of a recliner being put back up or a Tupperware container hitting the floor will set her back. She does not shake when she sees me coming to her kennel. She does not hide her face. She does still look down and away. But from across the room she has made eye contact and not looked away. In her kennel she is not curled up in the corner, but sprawls out when she sleeps. Two days ago I heard the first deep sigh of contentment. If I had not been listening I might not have heard it. She lays with her paws crossed instead of straight out ready to spring into flight in need be. Tonight she was dreaming and her front legs were peddling fast. Sweet dreams gorgeous!

There will be many more baby steps to this Journey.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. (Robert Frost)