Handling a rescue: Bella arrives

The story of how I first met Bella, and some things I learnt about handling rescues along the way.

Bella, on the day she arrived, June 2014. MY dog.

Some years ago, I took on two Maremmas from a (female) friend whose (male) ex-partner had abused them (both the friend and the dogs). Bella was 18 months old and petrified of everyone and everything. Pieta was 6 months old and didn't have trauma. 

I had initially bonded with Bella at my friends' place by sitting nearby and just chatting to her in a soft, but everyday, warm and happy and delighted conversational tone. I commented on the pig we were next to, and the weather, and what a pretty girl she was, and how grass smelt like grass and other complete nonsense. It's the tone of voice, and your own actions, that work.

I didn't sit exactly still, but I found a comfy spot and comfy position and didn't move from it. I kept my movements subdued - no excessive arm-waving - but otherwise normal and relaxed.

At the beginning of the chat, she sat at the other end of her pen away from me. But she was watching me. She wanted to be friends; she was just too nervous.

45mins of cheerful mindless chatter later, she was literally lying in my lap. 

From that point onwards, she was My Dog And Mine Alone.

Four weeks later, she and Pieta came to live with me.

Now, nine years later, my (male) partner can pat her. But only if he's sitting down. He has put a bucketload of work into winning her over, and it's finally paying off. Every day, he goes into their paddock and sit down. Pieta comes over for her cuddle and that makes Bella insanely jealous, so she comes over for a pat, too. 

It takes time to win over a rescued dog, particularly one with abuse or long-term neglect in its background.

And when we say "it takes time", we are talking a LOT of time. Assume a good 12 months before your dog stops cringing every time someone stands up (Bella still does it. To me, even). 

But also assume that every day, every hour you spend with them, you are laying new calm, gentle memories and behaviours over the cuts made by abuse. One millisecond, one millimetre at a time.

Tips and tricks for handling a rescue are in the separate article:

Tips and tricks for handling a rescue

Four months after coming to live with us; in their relaxed and happy place. With stock.

Did your Maremma take some time to bond with you? Have you a story about your rescues? Please do share it with the community!