Time and patience is the message we would like to put across in this story. Not every rescue dachshund settles immediately and many will never overcome some of their issues. Success can result from MANAGING the problem and avoiding situations that allow the problems to arise. It is definitely not easy and takes time.
Phoebe came to Dachshund Rescue after her owner had sadly died and neighbours were unable to keep her as she was attacking their cat. Phoebe was rehomed but things did not work out!!! She was returned to our coordinator who decided to see how Phoebe would settle into her home.
Sue takes up the story……
“Phoebe being an older girl, coming up 10 , had got used to carers coming in and out of her owner’s home, and as long as they left her alone she was ok. She did nip the doctor on his ankle, however!!! She was quite possessive and a bit set in her ways.
I found her a home with an older lady who lived on her own and was looking for a companion.
On handing Phoebe over it was obvious that she was quite a grumpy dachshund!!! She was not relating well to her new environment, but understandably so after all the upheaval. She was very wary of you touching her, but she had a wonderful rapport with the new owner’s family, especially the young granddaughter. I felt in time the new adopter would have the same relationship.
Phoebe’s first night in her new home was rather noisy, but we were made aware of this. She has a howl on her like a wolf!
Speaking to her new adopter the next day, she was having difficulty getting Phoebe’s harness on. She would not go outside and was very unhappy.
We decided to put a slip lead on her. This enabled her to be taken out, but being a stubborn girl she would only go when she wanted to!!!
This went on a few days. Unfortunately, the new adopter could not trust her. One moment she was ok having a fuss, but another time she would snarl and want to be left alone!!! She felt Phoebe was not for her.
With Phoebe being an older girl and the traumatic time she had been through, I brought her home with me to see how she would settle with my 9 dachshunds and to get some idea of how we could move forward.
I have to say I was greatly surprised!!! We all know the famous quote from royal quarters “There were 3 people in this marriage” Well this is how things went for me!!! Yes, that is what I now have as my husband fell into a new wonderful relationship, but happily not with another female lady but dear Phoebe!!
She fell for him!! He calls her Phoebe Whiskers and feels they have something in common. Hubby has a beard too !! He can put her collar and lead on with no issue. She follows him out into the gardenand plays with him. She sits with him in the office. If he goes upstairs we get a howl!!! When he goes out her whole world falls apart, but the joy on her face when he comes back is certainly worth something!
As for me a totally different story!! She will not let me put her collar on She will not go out in the garden with me. She will grumble if I speak to her sometimes. She does not rush to greet me like all the others dachshunds either. She has rejected my charm!!!
She does come for a walk with the others now and is beginning to enjoy this. She likes to have a good sniff and roll in anything smelly!! (no surprises there!!)
She has been here about 5 weeks now. She will let me lift her into the car, but I have to be careful. If it is not quite right then I will get a growl and nip. If hubby tells her to go in the garden she will now allow me to take her out, but only if she feels like it.
She is an adorable dog. She is very funny. She loves to play with a ball, does not really interact with the others which is a shame. BUT she will definitely be staying as I could not uproot her again.
I believe that if it had just been me here she would have eventually formed the bond with me that she has with hubby. However, as long as she is comfortable around us that is all that matters.
It is early days and she has had a whole 10 years of being with the same person. Suddenly, her life has changed so radically and we need to support her.
How would we feel in similar circumstances? I don’t think we would adjust within a few weeks and we would expect friends and family to help us through with kindness and support.
Phoebe will always have certain issues but we work around them and we would not be without her.
Time and patience!!”
