Bowies!

[bullygirl979]

How is Mr. Flapjack doing?

[bowies]

We have good days and bad days. The biggest challenge remains food - he'll go a couple of days on his schedule, eating what we put in front of him, and then he'll go a day refusing it. It's stressing me out. He's definitely a picky eater (won't even eat human food or treats). He won't drink water if anyone is around. He drinks it all at night. It's so strange.

Socially, he's seemed to perk up a bit, though he's still married to his "safe" spot by the couch most of the time. He's great on walks, but they remain short because of my knee troubles. He's stopped flinching when we pet him now, and lets us scratch his belly.

After we complete the adoption tomorrow, we're going to schedule a few sessions with a behaviorist (the husband of the woman who runs the shelter, so he knows him).

[bullygirl979]

Eh, I wouldn't stress about the food thing. It sounds like he is eating when he gets hungry enough and he isn't going DAYS without eating. Sounds like he is still settling in.

That breaks my heart about the "flinching" part. I *HATE HATE HATE* that animals have to go through that. Do you know what his history is?

[bowies]

He was at the shelter for a very long time - his shyness and fear didn't exactly attract many lookers. The staff *thinks* he was on his own in the world up until the time he landed at the shelter, but it's so hard to say. My gut tells me he had an owner, but was kept unsocialized to much of anything. I'd bet money he was kept on a rope in a yard somewhere and was constantly treated as a Bad Dog.

So, yeah, heartbreaking. We have to convince him that he's not going to get in trouble for doing normal dog things.

[bullygirl979]

Nov 2, 2012 9:18:49 GMT -5 bowies said:

He was at the shelter for a very long time - his shyness and fear didn't exactly attract many lookers. The staff *thinks* he was on his own in the world up until the time he landed at the shelter, but it's so hard to say. My gut tells me he had an owner, but was kept unsocialized to much of anything. I'd bet money he was kept on a rope in a yard somewhere and was constantly treated as a Bad Dog.

So, yeah, heartbreaking. We have to convince him that he's not going to get in trouble for doing normal dog things.

Ugh...this makes me want to cry. I think it is awesome that you and STB Mr Bowies were willing to put in some extra work so Mr Flapjack could finally experience a positive life and some real love.

Give him a belly scratch for me! Mr Flapjack that is, not STB Mr Bowies...

[Deleted]

Bowies - what happened with your knee appointment?

[bowies]

I just let him out in the backyard for a potty break and he started running around all carefree and shit. I started crying. I know he's capable of that from watching his YouTube video, but it was so nice to see that he's let down his guard with me (well, somewhat). After a bad food day, it's nice to get a positive step forward.

DL - I had an MRI yesterday and I'm waiting to hear back from my orthopedic doc. The pain has gotten better now that I'm wearing the brace, so hopefully I'll just be instructed to keep wearing it long-term. I do not want surgery.

[bullygirl979]

What the heck happened to your knee??

[Deleted]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

[bowies]

Ugh, long story. I fell in a French drain in the front yard about a year ago - the previous owners of the house never disclosed it, and they had covered it loosely with chicken wire. It was fall when FI bought the house so leaves covered the wire. I stepped on it and down I went. The wire filleted my thigh and I twisted the hell out of my left knee. X-rays came back fine, but the knee has been weak ever since. About 3 weeks ago my calf muscles seized up and I've been in mucho pain. Prevailing theory is that I damaged a tendon in the fall and my muscles have been working overtime to compensate.

[Muddled]

Awwwww, poor Jax. He'll get there. It's jsut going to take time.

I still pine after Darcie.

[bullygirl979]

Damn Bowies...that really sucks. Hope you get good news.