White Dog came to me looking concerned. "I am not so sure the new recruit likes it here," she said. "She is not interested in playing with or hanging with any of the White Dog Army, she just wants to sleep and she is not eating. I am worried that she is depressed. Even silly Sachi sitting with her could not get her to crack a smile."
I could tell WD was concerned...that the entire Army was. I watched them all morning make attempts only to come back in from the sun porch shaking their heads. I called the WDA together.
"It makes my heart sing that you are all so caring about your new sister. And it makes me sad to see you feeling rejected. I want you to consider a few things and maybe you will understand better and not take it so personally...
"Trixie is an older girl who is sort of set in her ways. Suddenly NOTHING is the same in her world. She is trying to sort it all out and is trying not to be afraid. Everything is different...where she lives...the smells...the family...the food. Imagine how hard that must be. And I know you are all being very friendly and trying to let her know she is safe but she must feel it in her heart before it becomes so for her.
"When Trixie went to the vet right before she came to us, the vet thought that our girl had a UTI infection. That by itself can make you feel pretty bad and make you just want to curl up alone. But she is on a very strong antibiotic. Dad looked up the side effects. The drug makes you feel sleepy, takes away your appetite and can make you feel queasy. In the long run it will clear up the infection but right now the medicine is kind of kicking her butt.
"And we need to consider that despite coming from a big family, that Trixie might just like solitude. Remember Taiko? He loved Dad like he was sewn to him but when Dad was not here, Tai preferred staying by himself in the kitchen. It is not that he did not love us. It's that he was wired differently. And it may be the same with Trixie. Which is OK.
"Let's just continue to make overtures and to be welcoming but let us give her time and space. Our patience while she processes and heals will tell her a lot about who WE are and how she can trust us. I bet we will start to see little changes for the positive in a very short time." With that I kissed heads and smiled at my Army. "I am proud of you. Trixie will learn just how wonderful each of you is...and Sachi, you are very kind to just quietly sit by her side; it is VERY mature." He wagged his appreciation at being recognized.
And guess what? Trixie ate ALL of her dinner! "See," Benson told her, "I told you dad was the best chef ever!"
6 comments:
change can be so hard.....especially we think on senior pets. we know she is in safe hands and the army will do their best to make her feel welcome
Give Trixie some time and she'll fall in love with all of you. It is probably a big adjustment to be surrounded, in a new home with a new pack. I've got to read how she came to live with you. She is one lucky girl!
Wags,
Noreen and Hunter
I think sweet Trixie will find you all hard to resist!
It is so sweet and thoughtful of the WDA to be concerned for Trixie. Such love there!
We're happy that she ate her dinner (yay for Chef Dad Steve)!
I sure hope Trixie starts to feel more relaxed and happy. Glad she ate her dinner - that's progress!
Trixie left a pack where she was Number 1 dog. That alone will be her adjustment, but apparently once the antibiotics were finished, she began showing the WDA her counter surfing skills. She's also a garbage raider. Sue and Steve have been very patient with her "needs"....
Post a Comment