15months to debt free - I hope

Flying_By

Definitely try the rescue behaviourist first, as you say she's free and also I think the rescue owes you as they failed to make you aware of all of C's difficulties.  It's good that you have a neighbour close by with details of someone with possibly more specific collie knowledge.  I really hope you get a proper breakthrough with C before too long.  In the meantime, I think you are making excellent progress with your boy xx

ladyholly

Today has been somewhat better thank goodness. I have made C a snuffle mat which he seems to like and keeps him busy for a couple of minutes. He is so clever that games, toys etc dont keep him busy for for long. Our friend with the JRT/ Chihuahua was out at the same time as us today so we let C meet him. I was right in that he was the perfect dog for a first meeting. C did really well and the neighbours dog let him sniff him all over although he wasnt so keen on being sniffed back. It was a short meeting which was enough for C. I took him out later but he really didnt want to be out so I brought him home and did a bit of lead training for the lead pulling on the way home. When we went out of the front door there was a collie that we know with his owners walking around the green so I got C to sit and watch him until they had gone. He was very good with no whining, pulling or barking.

Most of the morning was taken up making the snuffle mat which cost nothing as I used some left over plastic netting and an old fleece dog blanket. I had a quick look on line and they seem to cost from £10 up so a good saving.  Mr LH took the car for a blast down the motorway today prior to its MOT next week as we do mainly short trips and while he was out I got the carpet cleaner out for the lounge and conservatory. C was strange as one minute he would let me get very close to him and the next he ran away from it. I will have another go next week when the car goes for its MOT as the water was disgusting. Another couple of items listed for sale - both  very cheap stuff but I live in hope that they will sell. Other than fuel for the motoway trip nothing has been spent today. A couple of surveys done and I will be able to cash out another £5 this week hopefully. Home made cheese burgers for dinner.

Watching Indiana Jones and the crystal skull again. Have a peaceful evening.

ladyholly

Just a very quick update. We have the rescues behaviourist coming  tomorrow but are not holding out much hope. C has managed to damaged one of my knees with his pulling and aggravate MrLHs shoulder that he hurt a couple of years ago. He was very difficult yesterday (C not Mr LH) and was very unsettled and reacting to all kinds of noises - trying to get to the window, scartching madly at the door and pacing. Even some applause on a radio programme set him off and the radio was on very quietly so as not to disturb Mr LH.

We are rapidly coming to the conclusion that his problems are too much for us to deal with and much as we love him for our own physical healths sake we will have to return him. We have written a list of his problem to discuss tomorrow but unless she is a miraacle worker we cant see a way forward. We are angry with the rescue as although they said he had been assessed we cannot see how anyone would pass him as suitable for rehoming without a lot of work and if they had been honest about his lead walking (not just saying he pulls which is fairly easily stopped in most dogs) and reactivity to noise, birds etc we would never have taken him on. We know our limits and in this last months we have passed them and have both ended up in considerable pain because of it.

We are heartbroken at the prospect of sending him back but we cannot continue like this.

joedenise

So sorry to hear that both you and Mr LH have been hurt by C but I think you are making the right decision.  The rescue place are the ones in the wrong not you.  They weren't honest with you and if they had of been you wouldn't have taken C in the first place.

Flying_By

ladyholly, just throwing this into the pot - although I would not try to influence your decision in any way as you know what is best for you and Mr lh, but have you spoken to your vet about calming medication for dogs and might it be worth a try for C?

Thinking of you, it must be an emotionally and physically draining time that you are going through xx

foxgloves

One of our cats was prescribed calming medication back in Autumn. It was a herbal - valerian, think, which I've taken myself in the past.The vet said several of his nurses/staff use it just temporarily to help with various stressy issues with their dogs & cats. 
But I agree that you do need to do what's right for both of you & the dog. 
F x

ladyholly

Wouldn't you know just as we have more or less made a decision he has been really good on his walks today. Mr LH has even taken him by himself for the first time.

We are so conflicted as he is a relatively normal loving and lovable dog most of the time at home. I have discovered a hand clap will distract him when out for the moment.  We have just left him on his own for the first time today and the house is still standing

Flying by yes I had thought of calming tablets and will talk to the behaviourist about it tomorrow. Thank you for the suggestion. 

Foxgloves I think our reluctance to return him is we are not convinced the rescue will do the best for him and possibly put him  in an unsuitable home that wont try to work with him. We can see the fantastic dog behind his problems and if we were younger it wouldn't be an issue but he is very hard work sometimes. 

jwil

I don’t envy you the decision, it must be so hard. Hope tomorrow gives some clarity

ladyholly

jwil said:

I don’t envy you the decision, it must be so hard. Hope tomorrow gives some clarity

You and me both. If he was awful all the time the decision would be easy but...... There was an item about sheep on our local news this evening. Guess who was trying to find them.

Tried to get a bus to post the two parcel from ebay today but apparently they are not using the usual route at the moment - shame they didnt put a notice on the bus stop or something similar as I went for 2 buses at different times and then got Mr LH to take me.  Annoyed we had to use the diesel not my bus pass.

£5 cashed out on survey site to paypal  and I have transferred £10 from paypal to the account I am using for gifts. There is over £100 in there now so happy with that although some of it will be used for DHD 21st birthday present. She would like a necklace or similar so I am looking for something suitable for her.

Kitchen cleaned this morning so it looks a bit better.

Usual eveing in front of the TV hope all have a peaceful one.

Flying_By

You, Mr lh and C will be in my thoughts tomorrow ladyholly.  I'll be hoping for the best outcome for you all xx