My Therapy

Question:
 Sammy was BADLY abused and starved. When I first started working with her she did NOT let anyone touch her. Not even come within 3 feet. I had to toss treats to her, and over three hours time, I got her creeping up to me, taking a treat from my hand, and then retreating back. Then, I got her to actually stay near me as I kept just putting the kibbe on the ground for her to continue eating, where when she was distracted by the food, I'd just BARELY run my fingers across her side, and then put more food down for her. Then I could actually touch her side, then stroke it. Then, her neck. And finally.. I gained her trust. She would let me touch her face, ears, and head. And even began to every now and then wag her tail. This was a dog that had a death promise. It had growled at a person and showed signs that it'd bite.(Of course, the other workers and volunteeres here know not a thing about dog behavior, so I'd be scared with their threatenting behaviors as well!) And look at her now. When she began to wag her tail, I knew right then that she was saved from that death promise. She had a chance at life.
I don't know who could so badly abuse and starve such a wonderful dog. She sits on command, she knows shake, she's very compliant, and SO smart. I taught her to stay and to even ignore food on the ground today in just a very short time. (NOT an easy thing to do if you've been starved to bones and reaaaallly love your food.)
Sammy does have a problem with lunging at other dogs playfully and barking. I worked with that today. Just had her sitting and rewarding when she'd shutup and pay attention to me. She again, learned fast. She still watched the other dogs alot, but she quickly learned to not bark.
This dog deserves the BEST home a dog could ever get.. but she's not going to get that around here. I fear that she's going to go to a home that will not be able to handle her fear.. and even worse, might yell, yank, or hit her for her behavior towards other dogs.
Video:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/th_HS3-4-07002.jpg (http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/?action=view&current=HS3-4-07002.flv)

Answer:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/Sammy2.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/Sammy3.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/Sammy3-4-07.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/Sammy4.jpg

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http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/SammyTessa.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/SammyTessalapdog.jpg

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There's also other dogs.. wow, this German Shepherd we just got in is starved to the point of death. I wanted to cry when I first saw him. It doesn't show the severity in the pictures, but he's beyond skinny. His spine sticks out about an inch, hip bones even worse. If it weren't for his hair, you would see EVERY rib sticking out on that dog. And this is him actually "fattened up". He's the sweetest guy ever. But has a horrible name. Some stupid macho man probably named him Demond expecting him to be mean and protective, and then just threw him away as trash when he wasn't. ARG.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/th_HS3-4-07008.jpg (http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/?action=view&current=HS3-4-07008.flv)
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/GermShep3-4-07.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/GermShep23-4-07.jpg

Answer:
Another dog that was starved. Sweet guy, NO training. Bit me on my lip today out of excitement. Needs so much work.. but I no that he won't get it htere. :( I did get him sitting for petting a bit today.. but he still needs so much more work. Not a mean bone in his body.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/Balto3-4-07.jpg

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And, one more. He's a sweet guy. Mellow, not too bad on leash. Haven't worked with him much more to know anything more about him.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/tessa_s212/Humane%20Society/Dogs/rocky3-4-07.jpg

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Ah, Tessa . . . . those beautiful creatures have their hearts in their eyes. You're doing good things, Tessa, and I'm sure they're giving you as much as you are giving them.

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They all look like awesome dogs...they're lucky to have you helping them!
I'd take that shepherd if I could.

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I'm so glad they have you to spend time with Tessa. Looking at them, their pleading eyes...just so hearbreaking. :(
They all deserve a chance. Good work Tessa, what you're doing is so important.:hail:

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I'd take the Shepherd and Sammy both.
I've always tended to gravitate toward the severe cases of fear and abuse. Part of the reason being that I know how to help them when others that volunteer and work there don't.. other part.. well, other part being for issues too complicated to get into in this thread.
But those guys surely are my therapy. No matter how bad the depression, being around these guys lets me feel again. I have a reason for being alive. I'm loved. I'm helping them. I've only got so much experience, knowledge, and time to offer them. I think they do a far better job of helping me than I could ever do helping them.

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Yeah, you and me both. :) I spent 10 minutes the other night convincing a VERY skittish and scared pit/lab mix who was being boarded for the first time to come to me to put her leash on instead of chasing her all around and cornering her--which is what the other kid I was workign with that night was goign to do. Instead we'd play a little game: I would walk as close to her as she would let me without showing overt signs of stress and then I would crouch down and wait for her to sit on her own. Then I'd take one small step and crouch again--rinse and repeat. Once I got the leash on her she walked like a dream right next to me. Today she ate out of my hand. :)

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Ahh, such sweethearts. I'm glad you're trying to help them.

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If you are unsure about Sammy finding a good home in your area, why dont you contact a breed-specific rescue group for her who would take more time in matching her up with the right home? Its great the work you have done with her, can still see a lot of skittish and nervous behaviour but from what you described she has come a long way.

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They all look like wonderful dogs and have such soulful eyes. I can't wait until I can work at the shelter (I need 2 more months to turn 15 for my local humane society).
I'm glad you're doing what you do and those dogs have someone that cares for them- I hope so much they all find wonderful homes and get the attention, love, work, and training they need and deserve.
I would take them all in a heartbeat, but Sammy really captured me.

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That is just heartbreaking to think someone could starve an animal like that and destroy their spirits with abuse. The terror and pain these dogs live with is beyond my scope of understanding. People that do this to animals ought to be hung.
You are doing marvelous work with these dogs. You're everything to them. And I'm sure their gratitude to you must be a wonderful feeling. Keep up the important and such good work.

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Those sad , pleading eyes !!! Thank you for helping them !!! May they all find their deserved homes .

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Poor poor babies.........I'm so glad that they have you!!!! I wish I could take them all home and give them a great life that they so deserve.

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Thankyou everyone. :)
OC, Sammy is a mixed breed. I really do not have a clue as to what she could be at all.
I've considered contacting a allbreed/herding breed rescue near by, but I already know they are always low on foster homes and often just cannot take in anymore dogs, specially not one from a practically no-kill shelter.

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Those sad , pleading eyes !!! Thank you for helping them !!! May they all find their deserved homes .
ditto to that...you never know TEssa, sometimes the right person comes along. Maybe you can help the steer the right person that dog's way.:) the breed specific was a good idea too.

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Are any on petfinder ???

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Oh those poor dogs :( I am so glad they have you now....I am sure they are loving it!
I love Sammy, such a cutie! Looks like a great dog there!