Meet Penny, the newest resident at The House on Silverado.
We weren’t planning to get another dog.
My sweet pup, Diva, died at the age of 16 more than 6 years ago. I said there would never be another dog as special as her, so therefore I was done being a dog owner.
But then, a few days before my birthday last month, I was aimlessly scrolling through Facebook, and a pitiful little face with scared brown eyes popped up on my screen. A local shelter had just taken in another batch of dogs from a well-known animal hoarder. This woman had been on the news many times for having dozens of dogs packed in her home, living in horrid conditions.
She’d get fined, the dogs would be confiscated, and she’d immediately begin collecting more dogs again.
Rescue Pup
Penny was barely 4 months old when the hoarder finally went to jail for animal cruelty (a riduculously short sentence of two months), and her newest hoard of pups was sent to the shelter.
For reasons I can’t really explain, there was some kind of tug on my heart when I saw her picture, and we ended up at the shelter the very next morning. Just to look, I told myself.
After meeting this sweet, timid, loving pup, my husband and I agreed there was no way we could leave her there.
Just four days later, after she was spayed, given a quick haircut, and received her first round of puppy shots, she came home with us. Although she was 4 months oldish, she’d never received any vet care.
Puppy Parent Boot Camp
Was it smart to bring home a puppy 10 days before Christmas? No, probably not. But Penny did great with a house full of guests during two different family Christmas gatherings. She loves being with people.
Has it been fun to potty train in the dead of an Iowa winter? Definitely not. But this pup is smart, and has caught on to pottying outside so quickly, with only a very few accidents inside the house. Seriously, like maybe 5 or 6 total.
Has it required a lot of reorganizing and shuffling things in our previously very free, empty-nesters life? Yup. Big culture shock.
But I know in my heart there was a reason this dog landed in our lives so spontaneously, and why my heart felt that little tug. We love her so much already.
I mean, you guys. just look. She’s the most cuddly, snuggly lap dog I ever did meet.
She’s an amazing car rider, not afraid at all.
She’s slept completely through the night since the day we brought her home.
Did I mention she’s smart. So smart.
In addition to being mostly potty trained (in the winter!), she’s also learned to sit on command, “leave it”, to sit in her bed during dinner and not beg at the table, to jump through our circled arms like a little circus dog, and she’s getting very good at “door manners”, meaning she waits at an open door until we invite her to exit or enter. According to the trainer, this is meant to combat her dashing out an open door and running away. She learns so fast.
According to the shelter, they believe she’s a Shih Tzu Poodle mix, but we did buy this DNA test to see if that is accurate. I think she may have a few other things mixed in. 🤣
Separation Anxiety
Has it been all roses and sunshine? No. Sadly, this little pup has not been left unscathed by her four short months with the dog hoarder. She has very severe separation anxiety. So severe that in more than a month we have never been able to leave her home alone even for a few minutes without her panicking, to the point of hurting herself.
Apparently, now that she has found a happy home and people who love her, she never wants to let us out of her sight.
We are currently working closely with our vet, and a trainer who comes to our home. Per their advice, we are trying out some natural calming supplements, essential oils, pheromone diffusers, lick mats, interactive food toys, a Thundershirt, even sedatives prescribed by our vet. The vet says the next step is Prozac, but she has to be at least 6 months old for that. I had hoped to avoid medications, but at this point I will try anything to help her. This is hard on us, but I know it must be awful for her.
Help!
Pet owners, we could certainly use your advice. If you’ve experienced a pet with separation anxiety, what methods worked for you? I’m open to hearing anything and everything to help this poor pup. I know I have a lot of readers who own dogs, and potentially some who are dog experts, trainers, veterinarians, vet techs….
Consider this my SOS. Send any and all suggestions our way.
Right now, I’m running on a whole lotta coffee and prayers. Oh, but also sweet puppy kisses and cuddles. 🐾
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Penny’s Shopping List
We have purchased each of the items below and would recommend them.
Congratulations Niky, popping in quickly to let you know that your awesome post will be featured at SSPS 349.
What a cutie you have. All the best with training and giving her the best time ever in your loving home
Thank you for sharing and participating at SSPS 348. See you at #349
She’s adorable!! I feel your pain though. We adopted our current baby a few days before Christmas of 2020. Because she was bigger, we didn’t think of her as a puppy, but she was, and just like Penny, after about a week of having a family, she had separation anxiety! When it happened, she was very destructive. In fact, the first thing she destroyed was almost all of the wrapped Christmas presents under the tree! She had been completely fine alone in the house until suddenly she wasn’t! We’ve never crated our dogs, but we had to for short periods when we had to leave. We don’t have to crate her anymore, but she chooses to go in the crate to relax at times. We just always leave the door open. I think she feels secure in it. I don’t really think the crate is what helped her get over her separation anxiety. I think it was just time. She has a lot of other fears that we are working on though. If you find a good supplement that helps, please share. She really is a cutie! She will always be so thankful and appreciative to y’all for rescuing her!
Susan, thanks so much for sharing your story. I’m hoping time will help and she will settle when she realizes she’s home for good, but right now it’s awful. I can’t remain a house hostage forever. We are trying Zylkene by recommendation of our vet. She’s only been on it a few days, but I’ll let you know if I see results. It’s a natural supplement available on Amazon.
Cheers to your rescue pup!
Oh my gosh she’s ADORABLE!!!
❤️🐾