Charlie (aka Hank)

THE OLD LIFE

On December 21, 2010, NJ Sheltie Rescue rescued 16 shelties living in deplorable conditions in a single family home in Brooklyn, NY with about 30 other shelties. These shelties were being kept by a hoarder who we know has been keeping shelties in this inhumane environment for over 10 years.

These shelties were being kept in a house with no running water, electricity, heat or air condition. The owner would go to the house every few days to dump a bag of food and water. He no longer resides in the house because it is unfit for human occupancy. The windows are covered with cardboard allowing no sunlight, the house is filthy and infested with mice. These poor shelties are in total darkness 24/7 and have never been outside in daylight. They have never known the simple pleasure of rolling in the grass, basking in the warm sun, smelling the fresh air or going for a short walk. Many have been living this was for over 10 years. All the dogs are unsocialized and scared of the most common every day sounds such as drawing a shade or the sound of a TV. They are petrified of the gentle hand of a human being wanting to love and cuddle them.

THE ROUTE TO A NEW BEGINNING

After being loaded on a U-haul truck, their 1st stop was to Noah's Ark Veterinary. The dogs were filthy, pale, very anemic, flea infested, had horrible teeth and were so scared many were having bowel movements while being examined. Their nails were very long and curled making walking difficult for most. Some of the dogs were missing pieces of their ears and had many scars on their faces from fighting.

They were all examined, weighed, vaccinated, treated for fleas and worms and then loaded back on the truck for another part of their journey to a kennel facility were they would start their socializing.

They all went through the trauma (normally not a big deal for a happy, socialized dog) of spay/neutering before going to their foster homes where they will be worked with to overcome their fears and become a normal sheltie.

CHARLIE'S PROGRESS TO A NEW LIFE

Charlie came to me in late Janaury 2011. He was/is a very frightened boy and has a long way to go.

The 1st couple of days weren't too bad because I had 2 of them here and he pretty much followed the other boy around, who was more confident. However, after that one left Charlie had a set back, and here begins the issues and rehab.

We have had poop and pee in the house numerous times as he is terrified of being outdoors. He is quite comfortable in his crate which we have sitting in the living room next to the TV and a bay window. He hears lots of sounds here and has adjusted well to them so far, in the house. Fire trucks (fire station is across the road from our development, cars passing, kids playing, thunder, etc. are fine as long as he is in the house. Put him outside and the same sounds freak him out.

He tore the upper half screen out of our deck door, now it has a piece of plywood over it and we have to keep the door closed or he will not stay outside to poop and pee. About 50% of the time he poops and pees as he is running from door to door trying to find a way back into the house.

He is a sweet boy and has attached himself to me but he is terrified of my husband and grandchildren.

I will post every few days with his progress even if it is a tiny step. With the weather starting to break and warm up and the days getting longer I hope to get him outside more and be able to sit with him so he can acclimate to the sounds.

UP TO MARCH 16, 2011

Charlie came in as "Hank" but I decided it was too harsh so wanted something softer when talking with him. He seemed to respond to "Charlie" so we went with it. He has made tiny steps, like following me around, laying at my feet when I am doing chores or typing on the computer. Since his crate is his comfort zone, no problem with telling him to "kennel up". He has started to get somewhat excited when I get up in the mornings or come home from being at work or out. I can now open the crate door and he will step out of the crate. I take hold of his harness (he does much better with handling by harness then by collar) and say "good boy", "lets go outside". He does a big stretch and walks pretty well with me, until we get to the big "scary" door to go outside.

MARCH 16, 2011 In the past few weeks I have been able to get Charlie to take a treat from my hand through the crate wire. This morning he took a treat from my hand in the kitchen. Although hestitantly, he took it. A baby step for him. At times he will give me finger kisses and is starting to enjoy the pleasure of being petted. This afternoon I was on the screened deck dremeling/ cutting nails (13 sets of paws) and Charlie reluctantly hung out there with us. He paced a good deal and every now and then ran back into the house, but he did spend most of the time on the deck with us. I was very proud of him to say the least.

MARCH 18, 2011 Well, the lovely weather has been a god send and Charlie seems to have appreciated it as well. Yesterday we sat outside for about an hour and he ran in/out for a bit, then hung out with the rest of us although somewhat apprehensive. This afternoon, he wouldn't come outside, so I hooked 3 leashes together, took him outside and let him pace as he wished on leash, then after about 10 minutes unhook the leashes and he hung out with us for another 45 minutes or so. He was pacing some, looking into the house, but decided he liked being with me more. Even when the neighbors scary motorcycle was being reved up he hung tight with me and didn't run back into the house. My brave boy is learning.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Charlie finds his forever home and begins his new life on September 24, 2011. He has a sheltie sister about the same age, a loving mom and dad that have a quiet, loving home. So far he is doing great and has not had much of a set back. :-)

Sunday, May 1, 2011

MAY 1, 2o11 Charlie has held pretty stable lately. However, today he seems to think of himself as a cat. He is now jumping on the back of the sofa and chilling comfortably while I am on the computer and watching some television.

Friday, April 15, 2011

APRIL 15, 2011 Charlie has become a WILD CHILD. He darts and runs and play bows trying to get the others to play with him. The youngsters will play with him and he is in heaven. He continues to become more confident each day.

Monday, April 11, 2011

APRIL 11, 2011 He continues to amaze me. Tonight he decided to try out the couch for the 1st time. He cautiously got up on it, sniffed around, jumped off, then when he realized I wasn't going to say/do anything, he jumped back up and is now laying down next to me and let me scratch his chin.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

APRIL 6, 2011 Charlie continues to want to play and is trying to initiate it with a couple of the others. Today was another 1st for him. Charlie is crated when I am not home and today I had to run out to the chiropractor and grocery store. When I got home, he whined to get out of his crate and be with the group. Still haven't heard him bark, but the whine was a welcome change.

JUNE 6, 2011 - I know I haven't posted on Charlie in a while, but there really hadn't been any more progress until this weekend. All this time if I put him outside he would run and run and pee/poop on the go, making a mess on our deck. Gets old cleaning the deck everyday. LOL. Anyway, this weekend, since it was so nice, I would walk out in the yard and Charlie would follow me and actually stand still to pee, run around happy and playful, then stop to poop, IN THE GRASS! Then I would give him lots of praise and play with him a bit while he ran in circles smiling and wagging his tail. He also has started initiating play with the other dogs more often and is gaining a little more confidence every day.