Page 18 - Blue Valley_Issue 3_2022

LIFESTYLE

POINTS TO PONDER WHEN

ADOPTING A RESCUE DOG

BY SYBIE LOFTWING

eparation anxiety, irrational fears, having a nervous bladder – you Understand that many dogs who end up at an
never know how a rescue dog will react initially when you take them animal shelter have gone through traumatic
Shome with you. Don’t be discouraged by uncertainty; take a chance. experiences. They may come from an abusive
You may end up with the best companion you could wish for. home, they may have suffered severe injuries at
the hands of a callous owner, or they may be ill
Animal shelters give abused or otherwise neglected animals a second when rescued. The effects can be long-lasting.
chance at life by offering them care and a place where they can find a new, Remember that, like us humans, dogs can
loving home. Meeting a rescue dog for the first time, connecting with them, suffer from depression, anxiety and even post-
choosing them and taking them to their new home is so exciting, but there traumatic stress disorder related to any trauma
may be some surprises in store when a pet comes from a shelter. they may have experienced before being
rescued. It’s also important to remember that
there is a lot you can do to help your furry friend
if you see them struggling, and the shelter as
well as a vet can advise you.

For the first few days, your pet may just want to
be left alone. This is perfectly fine. Remember,
the dog doesn’t know where he/she is or what’s
happening. So, give them the space to explore
their new environment in their own time. Make
sure that fresh water is always available and try
to feed them at the same time every day as this
will help to build a routine.
Try to keep loud noise, commotion and guests
to a minimum at first because this can be
overstimulating and overwhelming for an
anxious dog. As exciting as having a new pet
may be, small children in particular should try
extra hard to give the new pup some space,
particularly if the dog is nervous or fearful. The
last thing we want is an accident that results in a
lifelong fear of dogs.

After an adjustment period of a few days, the
dog should be able to settle in just fine. If the
pooch is full of energy when they arrive at
their new home and is willing to play, be sure

16 • Issue 3 2022 • BLUE VALLEY NEWS