Keep Oppo Rescued Doggos!

"Monkey B" (monkeyb) 12/22/2016 at 18:21 • Filed to: None

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My first Oppo post, but I thought this was a good reason to share. Meet Matteo, he’ll be moving in next week!

I saw him about a month ago on a local rescues website, after watching a video of him they had on YouTube I thought I’d like to meet him. I finally did on Tuesday and we hit it off immediately. Took my wife today and it again went well. Tuesday they told me he’s been there for 2.5 years and when I heard that my heart dropped and I wanted to bring him home right away. I couldn’t believe he was there so long as he’s such a sweet fella.

He’s around 5-6 years old. When they found him it was in a hoarding situation along with a bunch of other dogs. He was kept in an undersized kennel, malnourished, dirty and had fleas. I’m not sure the extent of his abuse past that. They say he’s not good with other dogs, cats or small children. I’m guessing that’s why he’s been looked over so much as he’s hard to even foster since most that do have other pets. They said he’s also more shy around females as well but I didn’t notice any change with my wife there.

We’d bring him home tomorrow, but are having our annual, and quite large, Christmas party this weekend and I don’t want him to be locked away and frightened with that much commotion in new surroundings. We’ll pick him up next week...which is admittedly difficult as I’ve now left twice after visiting and was sad to leave him behind. Everyone at the rescue is very excited for him, my friends daughter volunteers there and almost cried when she heard we may bring him home. We know his transition will be somewhat difficult for him, but I’m feeling positive that he’ll do well. On their suggestion we are fostering to adopt as even they are unsure how he’ll do since he’s never been fostered. So far he’s given me no reason to think he won’t excel in his new home, and short of unseen drastic circumstances I’m prepared to give him as much time as he needs to get comfortable.

If any Oppos out there are familiar with this type of transition for a dog like him I’m very open to any helpful advice.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Monkey B 12/22/2016 at 18:28

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This is a good first post, keep Oppo doggo.

S65 > Monkey B 12/22/2016 at 18:28

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OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Monkey B 12/22/2016 at 18:29

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I rescued a greyhound(although he came from a home that couldn’t keep him) and it may be a lot like that. Kept in a kennel foan extended period of time etc. greyhounds tend to be(mine not so much) a bit skiddish and awkward but very loveable dogs. They are used to the kennel which is nice but if you don’t have to keep them in there and they do well outside of it even better. When you have a group of people there I always leave the door open for the dog to explore but Gibbs tends to come out and say hi and then retreat or sometimes just stare around the corner by it gives them that option. Overall you won’t regret it l. SR20s -

CaptDale - is secretly British > Monkey B 12/22/2016 at 18:45

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That is beautiful! I wish I could rescue a dog. I also wish I had a house... Apartment now. Someday though I will have my own little saved fur butt. Congratulations finding a good fit!

Svend > Monkey B 12/22/2016 at 18:56

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Nice one fella.

It’s such a shame when animals are mistreated or abused. I wish the owner was made to go through the same thing and then get locked up (after I’ve visited them with a sledgehammer to their knees that it).

vondon302 > Monkey B 12/22/2016 at 18:57

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Rescue pets are best pets.

Good luck and great first post.

Monkey B > Monkey B 12/22/2016 at 19:36

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They just let me know that when we bring him home the trainer/behavior specialist is going to come with us as they don’t know how he’ll respond having never had the experience of being taken to a home. They have been very cautious thus far with our meetings and now having the trainer come along makes me curious about how far he’s come since they found him. He’s been nothing but sweet thus far with no warning signs of aggression or fear. I am glad the rescue organization is this thorough though and I’m impressed that they care this much.

When I met him they were very cautious and had a handful of “don’t dos” but Matteo had other ideas and the don’t dos were quickly tossed! Things like eye contact, handling etc. But I treated him as one would any doggo and it was like we knew each other all along. It made my wife slightly apprehensive with him because of all the caution but he did just as well with her even though she didn’t quite go whole hog like I did.

I’ve decided to visit him every day until he comes home.

Stapleface > Monkey B 12/22/2016 at 20:22

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That is actually a great idea. The more familiar he can get with you the better.

My only advice is let him go at his own pace. Some dogs are very skittish when they finally have a home of their own. He might just hide from you and everyone for a while. Another word of advice, when you do bring him home, make sure wherever you have him that he has some type of escape route. Basically what I’m saying is try not to ever corner him somewhere. That could trigger his fight or flight response.

Good luck when you bring him home. Rescue dogs are the best. I have four of my own, three from a shelter, one from an independent rescue.

Monkey B > Stapleface 12/23/2016 at 10:33

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thanks, good stuff. It turns out that I know 4 people that volunteer there and the caution meeting new people is founded. They all say he’s a sweetheart, but he just doesn’t dig on some people and they are never quite sure who. No horror stories, just takes to certain kinds. Those who volunteer at pet rescues are generally patient and laid back...that’s how we are here so I expect the match to fit.

My plan when he gets here is to show him the bathroom, where his stuff is and sort of let him do his thing with the occasional boundary reminder. I’ll let him come to me when he feels like interacting and really let him make himself at home at his own pace. With so much time being kenneled in his life I fully expect he’ll stay in it quite a bit. I’ll probably always have one set up for him even if we get to the point he doesn’t need it and the door is never closed, aside from the occasional guest he may not like. Of course if he doesn’t like them I probably don’t either! Some of my wife’s friends I slightly tolerate.