By Janet McAfee
Sometimes dogs, like people, become better and happier in a new environment. Sometimes dogs, like people, take on the attitude of the humans they live with.
Bacchus’ life story did not start out well. He was born on a cold December night on the cement floor at the Riverside County Animal shelter in Riverside. His mother was a beautiful pure bred Bichon, mislabeled as “fearful” by the shelter staff not realizing the dog was about to give birth. Loving All Animals was looking for a rescue Bichon for adopter Doris Hale. A surprise awaited when I went to rescue the Bichon…..she was in a basket with four nursing puppies less than a day old!
The beautiful puppies were posted on Loving all Animals website asking “Whose the Daddy?” as none of them looked like their mother now named Valentine. Puppies are easy to adopt, and soon Bacchus, Cupid, Romeo, and Juliet went to new homes. However, all was not well with Bacchus in his home, and Loving All Animals received an email about his “issues” nine months later.
I was on the phone with Bacchus’ owner for an hour discussing her myriad of complaints about the dog. Loving All Animals offers support and training consultation to help our folks keep their pet. But this family had clearly decided they wanted Bachus gone. They said Bacchus was “out of control,” periodically went into a “trance like state,” growled, attempted to bite them, chewed everything up, and urinated all over the house. They said the local dog training class would not admit him after hearing of his “issues”. Most private rescue organizations have a policy to accept return of a dog, ensuring their animals don’t end up back at the pound.
How could we possibly find a foster home for a dog with so many problems? I had no idea what to expect when Bacchus was brought back. Bacchus appeared to be a happy animal, seemingly unconcerned when his owner drove away forever. Bacchus did well on our first temperament test, a trip to pet friendly PetSmart. Next stop was the dog park, where I carefully tested Bacchus’ reaction to the canines and the people. Bacchus played happily, and showed no sign of aggression.
Loving All Animals’ volunteer Cheryl Miller and her husband Jerry had lost their beloved dog Kramer. Still grieving, they thought fostering might be a good way to have a dog without the obligation. They agreed to take a dog that might need special help. Bacchus wisely greeted them both with kisses. Jerry teasingly asked his wife, “Are you going to fall for this one?” Soon Cheryl and I looked out the window to spot Jerry playfully wrestling on the ground in the back yard with Bacchus.
We will never know for sure what Bacchus’ behavior was like with his first family. However, he has never shown aggression or gone into a “trance” with the Millers.
Cheryl explains, “Bacchus has a way of looking at both of us that touched our hearts. It’s almost like he was pleading with us to just give him a chance, so we did.” The Millers credit Bacchus’ participation in a dog training class taught by Sandy Miller for Loving All Animals’ fosters. Cheryl adds, “If he was allowed to be the Alpha, Bacchus would be a different dog. The training has made him happier and more secure.” Bacchus was the star pupil in the class, an intelligent dog eager to learn new behaviors, a special dog now in his forever home adopted by the Millers.
There was yet another surprise turn in Bacchus’ life. Shortly after he was returned to LAA, the family who adopted Bacchus’ sibling Cupid lost their home and returned that dog as well. The Millers’ neighbors across the street fell in love with Bacchus. When the Dutton’s heard about Cupid, they jumped at the chance to adopt her. Bacchus was peeking out the window when his sister arrived, and it was an exhilarating moment when the two dogs were reunited. The two now enjoy happy play dates.
Did Bacchus really have the serious behavior problems his first owners described? Were there some problems in that home that the dog was reacting to? Why did his change so dramatically in a new loving home? Bacchus’ most serious problem now is snatching Jerry’s socks from the laundry room. Lots of love and good training have brought Bacchus a happy ending. As Cheryl describes it, “Once they touch your heart, how do you give them back? Bacchus is a wonderful addition to our family.”
To contact dog trainer Sandy Miller call (760) 360-4085 or email tendortutor@msn.com. For information about rescue animals or becoming a foster parent, contact Loving All Animals at www.lovingallanimals.org or 760) 776-9397.
jmcafee7@verizon.net
