Thanks for Your Patience

While our initial intention was to write a more regular journal of Oliver's (and our) activities and growth, it became quite clear rather quickly that we would have to spend more of our time actually caring for Oliver and interacting with him than writing about him and our efforts with him.

It is probably the case that everyone thinks in the beginning that they will have some heroic ability to overcome all obstacles to rehabilitation. Before long, though, most people probably realize the same thing we did, there is no simple way to overcome them. You just have to spend time, and lots of it, working through the obstacles, trying your best to do everything you know how to do, and learning from others how to do things you did not know you needed to do. As "they" say, it's a long and winding road, with lots of bumps and forks in it, leading you down all sorts of paths to places you've never been, some of which you never want to go back to. But I digress...

As time permits, we will add to the Journal our experiences, both good and bad, as we continue on our journey of hope with Oliver. And, since now is one of those occasions in which time permits, please allow me to add the following.

Fade in:

From day one Oliver has been a real challenge, but I don't think we had any idea of how much of a challenge he would be. He started out abused, hurt and unsure whom he could trust. Then he was shifted from place to place in the matter of a just a few weeks, which probably helped a little with his feelings of insecurity even though it was all for his own good.

Shortly after he joined our family he had many positive experiences, but he also showed us that he was still very unsure of what was expected of him, and, more importantly, he was unsure of what to expect. He then has some minor health issues, mostly involving digestive difficulties, which, considering what he had been through and how undernourished he was, became very big issues to us.

Fortunately, though, we were able to get him on the right track with the help of Dr. Smith at Beltway Animal Hospital on Loch Raven Boulevard near Joppa Road in Baltimore. Dr. Smith gave Oliver a thorough exam, evaluated him with great love and care, and determined the best course of treatment for a fast turnaround. So, with a few pills in hand, a dietary directive, an outrageously small medical bill, and a soon-to-be much happier puppy, I headed back home...by way of PetSmart, of course.

Oliver is now on a steady diet of adult dry food only, and he seems much better. He's back to running around the yard, playing with the kids, and avoiding me at all costs. He does like when I give him food and treats though, even if just for a few brief moments, which I like to think of as little reminders of how fragile he really is.

Dr. Smith also discovered, as did I :(, that Oliver is a bit of a fear biter. When the good doctor attempted to draw some blood, Oliver was a little unhappy and showed his teeth to prove it. Another time, while trying to get him into his crate, he clamped down, ever so gently, on my index finger with his rear teeth...ouch! My bad. I'll have to find a new approach, so for now we'll let Beata handle that part.

Partially because we thought it would be a good idea, and partially because Dr. Smith recommended it, we enrolled Oliver in a pet training course at PetSmart, which, as it turns out, is really more of an elaborate training course for me. We decided that, since Oliver's issues seem to mostly be about men, it would be best if I took him to the classes. The combination of going to the classes and spending time practicing with Oliver, as well as walking him, should really help to build a much stronger bond between us, and hopefully it will get rid of at least some of that fear issue.

I was thrilled at the results of the class. We were fortunate that Oliver and I were the only students in the class yesterday, 7/19/09. Since it's summertime, most people are on vacation or playing too much to come to the class. It was great to have the first session be private so the instructor, Melissa, could spend time to evaluate Oliver on her own instead of just listening to my description of his behavior.

Happily, within just an hour, using the correct methods and a calm, assertiveness (hello Dog Whisperer...), Oliver was not only coming to me for treats, he was actually sticking around for a while after getting his reward. Eventually, he let me gently attach his leash, which was a first, and he let me rub him under his chin. Later, when we got back home, I was able to demonstrate the whole thing, even with Beata, Ania, Emmett, and Romeo hanging around while we performed our new daring feats.

Since Melissa will be away next weekend and there will be no class, Oliver and I will have two whole weeks to practice our new skills. I suspect that with a little encouragement Oliver will have me doing everything I'm supposed to be doing, and correctly too, by the next session. I like walks anyway, so that part shouldn't be too hard for me to figure out.

So, even though it's been a while, I hope that everyone is able to appreciate why there is just now a new installment of Oliver's Journal. From time to time, and hopefully without objection, I may go back to earlier events just to fill in the blanks a bit. But, for now, I'm just happy to get back on track a little with the Journal. Thanks to Beata for adding pictures to her Facebook page more frequently so people could get a look at Oliver's progress.

With all that said -- and that was a lot to say -- may your family be as happy as our family, ready to take on every new challenge and conquer any and all fears that may arise.

Fade out.