A Sustaining Hope

     It's said that dogs live in the moment, and often they do. But anyone who has ever lived with an abused dog knows that memory can trigger reactions in the now, and anyone who has ever visited a dog shelter knows that dogs can beg in the hope of a better future. What we don't know is how much the memory of a good person can sustain a dog through bad times. This is the story of Cream and Shari, who gave him hope.



Shari's story:

     "Cream and I met right before Christmas 2009. His owner, a drug dealer who taught him to act aggressive, was arrested, and the guy gave custody of Cream to his girlfriend. The girlfriend stashed Cream in her Grandmother's garage. The Grandmother supposedly never went to the garage for six long weeks. Then she opened the garage door and Cream came charging out. He didn't harm her, but was running loose on the property. Animal Control was called, and after two hours trying to catch him and a heated fight with the granddaughter, the police were called. Animal Control locked Cream into their truck and brought him to the shelter.
     I evaluated him there on 12/23/09. He had some anxiety, hand shyness, possessive aggression and aggression towards people he didn't know. When I stopped him from lunging at someone, he would redirect and bite me. Through all of that I knew this dog had a sweet soul and was very special.
     The shelter agreed to have me work with him and within three months we had him walking with volunteers and laying in people's laps! Unfortunately being one of many pit bulls he sat at the shelter and languished. He had some set backs and it was decided that he was not adoptable.
     In February 2012 it was decided that he would go to OAS. The shelter had been sending dogs there since 2009. I didn't want Cream euthanized, so I agreed it was better than euthanasia.
     I found out last year in June. 2013 that I was very wrong and euthanasia would have been a Godsend compared to living at OAS. I convinced the shelter to get back not only Cream but the others that had been sent. Markwell only sent back three of the five, but sent four other dogs he had for a total of seven.
     I arranged to adopt Cream. We got him on his feet physically and after three weeks we started seeing evidence of PTSD and intense anxiety and the aggression that I had resolved returned and more intense than ever before. Being a canine behaviorist I was able to utilize medication and a year of behavior modification working with Cream on a daily basis. I am happy to say that Cream has learned to not act aggressively, his PTSD us greatly reduced, and he is loved and happy. Not only that but he has become one of my canine helpers with other dogs that have issues. We love him so much and are so glad he is enjoying the life he always deserved."

Cream says, "Thank you, Shari."