Sally was adopted 4/5/20 by the Lindler family (NC).
Date(s): 9/23/19. Album by Terry. Photos by Terry. 1 - 39 of 39 Total. 3480 Visits.
1 Meet pretty Miss Sally. We think she is around 4 years old.
2 She weighs around 18 lbs.
3 Sally (left) was rescued with 7 other dogs from a "home" where they had been kept in a cage with very little human contact.
4 Consequently all of the dogs were extremely nervous, apprehensive, and fearful of human touch.
5 In the beginning, they would watch people with concern, running away when possible or, if human contact was inescapable, cowering and cringing.
6 Sally and some of the other dogs she was rescued with have strabismus, where her two eyes aren't pointing at the same place. We don't know if she sees double or not, but her eyesight is rather poor, particularly up close.
Download MPEG4 7 After a few days in foster care, Sally no longer tried to run and hide whenever she was let out. Instead she would hang out nearby but just out of reach. She seemed to WANT to come closer but couldn't conquer that ingrained fear. Click for a short video.
8 As she got used to us, her fear began to diminish. Interestingly, she was less fearful when on the couch, and would let us approach and sit beside her without running away.
9 ... in fact, she almost relaxed!
Download MPEG4 10 After a couple of weeks here, we made a break through when we discovered that Sally loves Ritz crackers. Click for a short video.
11 She not only was willing to approach to within just inches...
12 ...but she actually initiated contact!
13 For the first time we got a glimpse of the Spunky Sally who is hidden inside Shy Sally.
14 Got any more?
15 Her willingness to approach me, engage with me, and even initiate physical contact was so gratifying!
16 Sally's poor eyesight makes it a little tough for her to find treats with precision so she does tend to snatch with her teeth and sometimes makes contact with fingers.
17 "Hey, I smell popcorn!"
18 In the beginning, Sally would only occasionally jump up onto the couch on her own, usually preferring to stay on the ground in a safe nook or in her crate.
19 Her favorite hang out spot is under my desk, right near my feet.
20 She is a pro at the doggie door.
21 After almost a month here, Sally is obviously much more confident.
22 Around this time (late October) she began coming up to me and initiating contact even when I was not offering treats.
23 As the weeks have gone on, she has gotten braver and more trusting, and she now (after 5 months) will come right up to me to claim pats, even jumping up against me to demand attention.
24 This picture and the next were taken in late October, just 2 weeks after photos #13-19. It is obvious how much more relaxed she is, not ready to dart away at any sudden movement and accepting pats easily.
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26 By early November (6 weeks in foster care), Sally was much more comfortable. She'd follow me around, approach me for pets, and do a darling happy dance routine when I get home from being gone. She has even sometimes started running around the yard for the sheer joy of it.
27 "Dinner? Did someone say dinner?"
28 "That's Okay. I'll wait."
Download MPEG4 29 Sally now often shows a playful, spirited, fun-loving side that is free of her fear demons. Click for a video of her joy in playing.
30 Feeling frisky
Download MPEG4 31 Sorry I can't get this cute video to rotate to the proper orientation. But click to see Sally enjoying herself thoroughly.
Download MPEG4 32 Playing out in the yard. Click for a short video.
33 By early December, Sally regularly snuggles up to Foster Dad during evening TV time.
Download MPEG4 34 Such a joy to see her running and playing with her foster brother and sister! Sally definitely prefers being with other dogs than being alone. She takes her cues from them, following them inside and out with less hesitation than she shows when she is the only dog here. And her housetraining is more reliable when she has another dog or two to follow around and inspire her to do her business.
Download MPEG4 35 Click for a video of Sally gently wrestling with her foster sister Salsa.
Download MPEG4 36 Click for a video of Sally trying to get the hang of playing tug with Salsa.
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Download MPEG4 38 Click for a video of Sally's funny habit right before mealtime. She has learned to sit and wait for her meals, but her impatience is demonstrated by her funny mouth movements. What is that about? She does it every meal and it cracks me up.
