I had heard rumours about a stray dog at a local shopping centre apparently she had been thrown from a car. I went down and started asking some of the local shop owners about her. I was told that she had been around the shopping centre for about three weeks, was pregnant and terrified of humans. The rangers had been constantly trying to catch her even setting traps! The local community has also been trying to catch her leaving food and water out for her. The problem I was told was that no one could get close to her. As soon as she saw someone she would run terrified.
My heart went out to this poor little abandoned dog, what would happen to her? The rangers would be darting her soon I felt awful.
I wandered around the shopping centre just having a look to see if I could catch a glimpse of her. She was no where to be seen. So I went home. At this time I had no idea how I could help it was only when I got home that I really started to think. How can I help?
Ok course my thoughts then went to Jan. What would Jan do? Then I came up with a plan. I knew I had to gain this little dog’s trust in me as a leader if I were to help in any way so of course, I turned to Amichien Bonding.
I jumped back in the car along with one of my dogs. My thought being that if this little stray was so afraid of humans, maybe she would come out for another dog. If I could just see her and know where she was hiding maybe I would stand a chance.
It did not work. Still no sign of her at all. I took my dog back home and went back again this time I just wandered around trying to catch a glimpse. As I walked around the corner I heard a yelp and I can’t really say I saw her, just a disappearing shape but I knew it was her.
By now it was quite late the shops were shut and the area was quiet but it was also getting dark. I so wanted to help her. Once again I rushed home quickly grabbed some cooked chicken out of the fridge and broke it into little pieces and put it in a bowl.
Back to the shopping centre I went. I parked the car in the now deserted car park and proceeded to walk around the area eating the chicken; yes I did feel completely stupid. Sadly she did not come out and I had to go home.
I was not going to give up now I felt sure Jan’s way would work. The next morning found me back in the now busy car park feeling even more stupid and I must say getting some very odd looks as I walked around eating the chicken. A couple of people spoke to me saying “you won’t catch her with food others have tried and so have the Rangers” My heart just said “but they don’t know Amichien Bonding”.
Still not a sight of her. I went and bought another chicken. Three more times during the day I went down and wandered around eating nothing, but the last time I just felt some one was watching me. I saw nothing.
I went back again just after the shops had closed and walked around with my dam pot of chicken and oh my god you will never know the feelings I had when out of the corner of my eye I saw her. Keeping her distance but definitely interested on what this Looney in the car park was up to. I could hardly breathe.
I never looked at her just kept walking and eating. Out of the corner of my eye I saw her very very slowly edge forward to get a better look. I then dropped a piece of chicken on the floor and walked away got in to my car and drove off. One of the hardest things I have had to do in my life but I knew if I messed up now I would loose her. She had to have time to think.
Now very tired after thinking and worrying about her all night I set off for the shops again. This time when I got out of the car she was waiting in the distance but defiantly waiting. Yeah.
I walked around the car park eating then dropped a couple of pieces she came very carefully up behind me and ate.
I then went to my car and got in. Leaving the doors open blow me down she came up to the car and had a look. I sat for a moment not really knowing what to do next. Jan saying keep it simple stupid, came in to my mind. She has to make the decision and as much as I so wanted to reach out and grab her, I started the engine. She ran away. Blast. I had to drive off.
It was not long before I was back and this time she was openly waiting next to where I parked my car. Same as before I got out ignoring her completely eating my chicken then dropping some for her. This time when I went to the car she openly followed me so once I sat in, leaving the back door open, I ate some chicken again and then put some on the back seat. She jumped in grabbed it and ran. I drove off.
Again when I returned she was waiting. It was getting late and I really did not want to risk leaving her again tonight. When I returned to my car again leaving the backdoor open i ate some chicken then put some on the back seat. She jumped in grabbed it and jumped back out but this time she did not run, I still totally ignored this little dog but I was watching her in my mirrors.
What happened next even as I write this I find it so amazing, she wandered around the car and back to the open back door. I turned on the engine and she stood for a moment and I could see her in the mirror thinking then the decision was made she jumped into the backseat of my car curled up and gave a big sigh.
I know as you read this you will be able to imagine how I felt, absolutely unreal. I had a home set up but as I drove away I had no way of knowing how she would react. She may have puppies some where out there after all and I was prepared to let her out if she changed her mind. Thank goodness she did not and now lives very happily in her new home. The lady that gave her the home wanted me to name her so i named her Milly.
Unfortunately although every effort was made to find her pups we never did and I think she may have lost them well before I came on the scene. When I first met her although her teats were hanging there was no milk and obviously we checked her again and again.
How powerful is AB?? Thank you again Jan for one of the most amazing experience in my life without you I would have done what everyone else was doing and who knows how this story would have ended.
George - Australia
George is a 4 year old Labrador cross who has been at Animal Aid since February. He came to the Animal Aid in Coldstream after he was picked up by a council ranger as a stray. He was not wearing any identification and was not collected. He is now ready to find a new home and family. He is a handsome boy in is need of a secure yard with owners that have time and space for him. He enjoys going for walks and requires a home that would provide him with good leadership so he can relax and enjoy life. He would love to be involved in family activities.
Please contact Eddy Syme at Animal Aid, P.O. Box 34 35 Killara Rd, Coldstream, Vic 3770 Telephone: 00613 9739 0300 Email: eddysyme@animalaid.com.au Web: www.animalaid.com.au