1-15-09
Riker Update:
Hi, it's Riker here. And, I have a lot of news to report to all of you folks. I think to start, you'll need to hear my story. This is hard for me, but it needs to be said. I've been seeing my therapist and she says that in order to start off on the right foot with anyone, I'll need to open up and admit my flaws, fears and accomplishments.
So, here's my story: I started my life off living with a family and they had an older son. I belonged to the son, but he eventually moved away and left me with his parents. I was only fed about once a week and I was really hungry. My body showed the lack of food because I was very thin. I rarely had clean water. It was green and slimy with mosquitoes in it. And, the worst part yet, there were neighborhood kids that would throw trash at me in my pen. My pen had things like broken boards with nails, bottles, cans, and trash. These kids would yell at me and, overall, were just never nice to me.
Because of what I've been through, it's been very difficult for me to trust people. I tend to initially think all people are bad, and my therapist is helping me to understand that most people aren't bad. I wish that I could stop being scared, but I can't seem to find the courage just yet. My doctor says it will take some time. And, fortunately, the people at Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue and my foster mom/therapist are willing to give me as much time as necessary. I have been making lots of progress since coming to my new foster home. They are working with me every single day to overcome my fears and be the best dog I can be. They tell me over and over how very proud they are of me and I really like that they treat me so good. Sometimes I still think I'm dreaming!
Here are some of the things I'm learning: Sit, Stay, Down, Come…And, I have to do these all the time. I must sit to come out of my crate and stay until I'm told that it's ok to come out. I'm getting an A+ on this one. I must sit and stay to go outside, to have my leash put on or taken off. I must sit and stay before going on a walk and leaving the house. I also have to do the same to come into the house every single time. I have to sit and stay for my food and my water. And, they make me sit and stay at random moments during the day…just because. My foster mom/therapist says that, with the exception of a few stubborn moments, I'm doing extremely well with all of these. The come command is a little difficult, but I love attention and we're going to keep working. I just started to learn the 'down' command, and I haven't quite mastered it, but I did get it a few times. Everyone seemed to be happy with that progress because I hear it's a hard one. We're going to continue working on that one. I'll report more later on these commands.
A few other tidbits of info: Unfortunately for me, I'm not allowed on the furniture at all. My foster mom says this is for the best, but I would much rather sit on the couch with them. She says that I need to learn my place in the house, then I might be able to earn a coveted spot one day. I'm not allowed to sleep in the big bed at night either. I have to sleep in my crate, but I do have a very nice comfy dog bed in there, so that's not too bad. I also must earn affection in this new foster home. Don't get me wrong, I know they love me. But, if I come up and put my paws up in someone's lap, I don't get petted for it. I get told that I must get down. But, if someone calls me over and I come to them, then I get all the affection I can stand. I'm not allowed to jump on ANYONE!! This is a big no-no. I'm learning, but I do still get excited sometimes. I have been going for walks at night and I am happy to tell you that I'm heeling right beside my foster dad and I am not pulling on the leash at all. He says that he really likes taking me out because I walk so well.
Things to come: My foster mom says that once we establish a really good relationship with lots of trust, that we are going to start working on meeting new people. Of course, she says that she's going to take it really slow at first. But, hopes to eventually get to the point where I get to go everywhere with her. Can you believe that?? I can't wait and I'm going to try my best. I also haven't really met the resident dogs here just yet. My foster mom put my crate in the same room with them and I am crated right beside one of the boys. But, I'm not allowed out at the same time just yet. We hope to be able to do that real soon. They just thought I needed as much time to get used to the new rules as possible. I've never really had 'rules', ya know. So, we have meet the dogs, meet new people and somewhere in between all that I'm going to have to get my heartworm treatment done, too.
At this point, it's going to be quite a long road for me, but I will try my absolute best to be a good boy. And, I'm going to be working really hard on learning all the new things that I can.
Until next time,
Riker

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