I hate going to pounds, I always end up seeing some bitter old man in a Cadillac, who caught his neighbor's cat in a trap dropping poor kitty off, and you just know what is probably going to happen to that cat. Also, every animal there just screams to be taken home...how do you choose just one without your heart breaking for all of the others?
 | Then I saw these photos on the internet. This poor, unnamed 10 month old Australian Cattle Dog is up for adoption, not at the ASPCA, Humane Society, or other rescue group...at the pound! She looked absolutely terrified, and my heart instantly went out to her. So, I was at the door waiting when the pound opened for business the next day, and on Christmas Eve, Tilly was coming home with me. |
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She seemed happy to see me, and gave me kisses on the hand and face. She was unsure about the car, and didn't want to get into it. For the first two days, she wouldn't get in to the car, and seemed frightened when riding in it. She didn't want to come into the house either, and forget the little doghouse I'd bought for her. Even the little cushy doggy bed for inside at night was avoided. She showed no interest in toys or playing, and seemed very nervous during the days, pacing constantly. She was afraid of other people and loud talking.
By the next day (Christmas), however, her personality began to show; and she tried to steal a child's paper bag of Christmas goodies by picking it up in her teeth by the handles and trotting off with it.
Two days later, these pictures reflect a different dog altogether. She "heels" my black lab, and if I run around in the yard with her, she "heels" me too. She jumps right into the car now, and loves to look out the window while I drive. She retrieves tennis balls, but prefers squeaky toys and socks; and she can devour a large rawhide bone in an hour. She walks well on a leash, and while she now likes to go for walks or rides in the car, the sight of the leash causes her to run the other way. She still does not like the doghouse, but happily stays inside at night and is trying to turn the cushy bed into a large chew toy.
I'm sure her experiences at the pound and the vet were traumatic to her, and eventually, the fear of the leash and closed in spaces will go away with love and reassurance.
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Matilda is inquisitive and sweet. |  |
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playful and competitive. |
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| Matilda is photogenic |
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| ...and, she is happy, and loved. |
 
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UPDATE: March 20, 2006:
Matilda has developed into quite a personality! She is highly intelligent, inquisitive, and full of fun! (Some people might call that "piss and vinegar") She is a licker, those opposed to dog saliva, LOOK OUT!!
Matilda is a dog of many hidden talents:
- She is an expert huntress of stuffed toys, and can completely disembowel a squeaky goose toy in about five minutes.
- She can effectively prune the lower branches of fruit trees and even turn them into mulch.
- She guards the house by aggressively patrolling the perimeter of her yard, with a special passion toward UPS and Fedex trucks, and Harley Davidsons.
- She is a professional face-cleaner...especially young children with even the most microscopic remnants of their most recent meal left on their faces.
- She helps to keeps my dad's ranch free of those nasty hoof clippings leftover after my dad trims the horses' feet.
- She is a physical trainer for dogs...keeps my 13 year old black lab Gelsey in top shape!
In all seriousness, my experience with this little pound puppy has been most rewarding. She is an endless source of love and affection, and is happiest when she gets to interact with people. Her fears are almost completely gone now. She now loves going for rides in the car. She looks forward to her daily walks with me, and when she sees me get the leash out, she's waiting at the gate for me.
My first trailride with real horses!
Me with my new friend "Blondie"...we're the same color!
I like Blondie, but I'd really like to bite those heels!
How about I bite this nice bike instead?
Rin Tin Tillie!
I really enjoyed watching my distant dingo relatives on National Geographic!
one happy dog!