Pets  

Excellent advice Gabs. I am sure this will go a long way to help those first timers who have been generous enough to give some poor animal a new life being in a loving home where they have nothing to fear.

I get lots of animals that choose me, mostly cats. I had the UGLIEST cat adopt me for awhile. It was funny. Usually everything, even wild animals trusts my husband, and this one would not let him even get close. I just kept food outside and talked to him and eventually he came to me, and trusted my husband and son. Winston (cat's name) had been abused, there was a serious crease in the bone of his skull. I assume a man did it, and that is why he did not like my husband at first. He turned into a handsome "tuxedo cat" when he got regular food and water and love. He got tired of me adopting others, though, and left. All my cats are adoptees, strays.

I have gotten dogs from a pound but not ones that have been beaten. I have never delt with a dog that bites.
My Abagail was from the Last Hope Cat rescue and she is so special to me. She keeps me up at night but whats a little lost sleep when she is so loveable?

This is very good advice and instructions gabs. You put it so nicely and in a nutshell for anyone taking in an abused animal. It is sad that they are so mistreated, but with a kind loving person such as yourself, they can have a good life and be welcomed into a loving caring environment.

Hi gabs your so right about using your voice to calm your pet. When I had Blackie she was really freaked out by people and would go and hide whenever someone would come to visit. She was an outside cat that didnt have a home. I put so much work into her that she only trusted me. I think alot of bad things must have happened to her. I would always talk to her with a soft happy voice. Boy do I miss her. I wish more people would think like you and take these poor abused animals for pets. With alot of love they can be such a loving pet. Hugs!

One of my dogs had been severely abused and she was scared of her own shadow when we first broght her home. With a lot of love she eventually came around and is now the most lving and protective friend one could ever hope to have. But some emotional scars remain. For instance, she will freak out and pee herself if someone picks up a broom near her. My poor dog, we've had her for ten years but she still remembers whatever cruelty was done to her before she joined our family.
I also have rescue cats, they had been neglected and starved. It was actually easier to make the cats feel safe and at home than it was to help my poor dog.
Two of my cats were only a few days from death when they came into our home, and now they are fat and happy, purring ALL THE TIME. These are the sweetest cats I've ever seen, they seem to know they got a good thing going and show their gratitude every day.

I couldn't agree with you more. You have to also have positive thinking about them. They are able to pick up your thinking. My younger dog is coming to me and is giving me sweet look when I think about how much I love her...
My pets are so happy when I say "I love you all" or when I repeat..."good girls"...
I let my cat to have her own agenda, but she is responding very well, running to me any time I call her.
All of my pets like to be pet and I pet them every day...
My kitten was rescued and I am happy to give her loving home. It took time to make my dogs to love her, but now they are all friends...

I just got a rescue dog a few months back. Thanks for the advice. At this point I really need it!

I really appreciate your posting this. I've never experienced an abused pet until a few months ago when we adopted Shile (2-3 year old beagle) from the animal shelter. The first day he was home with us we figured out he had obviously been abused.

The first sign was his hiding shivering and shaking at the smallest of loud noises or fast movements.

The second was I live in the walk out basement here and from the start we decided when Shilo goes outside he's to go out the door down there because the upstairs door faces the road (where many dogs have been hit by cars). It took me almost a week to get Shilo to go down the stairs - I had to carry him up and down. He doesn't have any problem with the stairs now but I think someone shut him in a basement - now he knows "Mom" is down there and he can cuddle on my bed or in my recliner and he's never left alone.

We're still working on the fast movements and loud voices.

Hello Doll, I would only add to stay consistant. Always use the same command for the same expected response otherwise they may get confised and a confused pet that has had abuse may strike out.
As you know Sweets I am always taking in the ones that have been kicked to the curb and I follow a few steps with all animals that I bring into my home.
1. They are immediately placed in a crate.They can get to know other household pets in the safety of the crate.
2. I make a schedule for the new pet..7am feed and water and excersize...11am clean crate and excersize....3pm excersize....7pm excersize....10-11pm last excersize..
3. 1 month later Begin to introduce pets outside of the crate for an hour at a time 4 times a day. Increase the times but always leaving the crate door open so if the new pet gets nervous he can dash for the safety of his crate.
4. All pets have their own safe place and other pets are not allowed in each others secure spots.
You are a true angel
xoxoxoxo