I can never resist writing about our little dog of course. I rescued Elsa and talked to her and stroked her on the long ride home. And now, over a year later, she never leaves my side. Well she does go out with Bill but jumps on me first for permission and then comes running back as if I might disappear while she is selfishly “doing her business.”
Elsa has a whole array of idiosyncracies, no doubt leftover from experiences with previous owners.
- Toys? Forgeddaboutit! She will not play with toys. And walks away from the squeaky ones (maybe thinking they are hurt?). Her basket of toys remains in a corner completely and utterly untouched.
- Chasing a ball for exercise? Nope. She will not chase a ball or anything we might throw. But, she will chase a bumble bee and maybe even go in for the kill.
- She is food driven and has gained way too much weight since she arrived. Elsa is on a diet now.
- Elsa is afraid of: Almost everything. Last week we were out on the driveway and we were both looking into the woods at the wind in the trees. It was an idylic moment all right until a very large branch came crashing down into the forest (many many feet away). Elsa ran for home and had to be coaxed out for days after. What do you expect when the sky was really falling?
- No need for a leash anymore. Elsa is afraid of: The outside.
- Don’t Leave! I fear for probable Anxiety Attacks when I finally begin to drive again and leave the house. We are ALWAYS together now thanks to the Pandemic. I have never had such a close relationship with a dog. Will I be housebound forever for fear of leaving the poor pup? Will it be my separation anxiety or hers?
- Elsa will still flinch if you try to pat her head. But she is getting better now – a bit more trusting. It has been over a year, so maybe we are making progress – if only the sky would stay up there so we could all Stay Safe!
Virginia Views 
Who wouldn’t be afraid when the sky falls down and makes a noise?? Poor Elsa. It’s marvelous she has you.
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Flinching when you pat her head….So sad. Thank God she found the right family.
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Well ! I wonder if this is usual for most rescue dogs Dora ? because Koko is just the same. He doesn’t want to play with toys, he looks at me to make sure if it’s o.k. for him to go with John ,he prefers we all go out together, is afraid of any loud noise such as thunder storms or fireworks, if someone is working on a property nearby making a banging noise he goes and hides under the table or anywhere he can squeeze under. . But he does like a lot of fuss. Like you Dora we adore him as you do Elsa. I am so glad you decided to have a dog. It seems that rescue dogs are so appreciative of there new owners and their homes.
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That poor pup! Still, a year isn’t that long (even though it may feel like an eternity). When I got my kitty, it took her about three years to stop being so…weird. But it happened, and I suspect it will for you, too.
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She is so fortunate that you took her in. It is probably better that you don’t know what she has been through. Seems you are getting attached to her too!
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My cat Hazel was like that. I had her for 12 years and she never let go of her fear. She came to trust me and my husband but no one else. Not big on toys although catnip did intrigue her. Her favorite sleeping spots were places where no one could touch her like under the bed or behind something. I always said if there was a fire, there was no way we could rescue her.
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I had to smile at this one Dor, the sky is falling indeed. I know just how she feels! She must have had some life before you rescued her. My brother has a rescue that was every bit as afraid as Elsa for a year or two but now she’s the sweetest dog ever and seems to have totally gotten past it. Hoping Elsa will too.
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Poor little girl, the world is such a scary place for her. I wonder if the crash of a branch falling sounded like a gunshot to her.
The separation anxiety I totally understand. As she has got older Cindy has got it too. When David was alive he was home a lot so she had someone with her most of the time. Sometimes we left her but she didn’t seem to get too upset about it. Since he’s been gone she hasn’t liked me going out. She’d cry when I went off to my volunteer job. Here at the new house, it’s much worse as she cries if I go downstairs without her and if I go out she cries for ages. I know this because one day my ride didn’t come and I waited outside for half an hour. Cindy cried and howled the whole time. She’s been happy having me home most of the time and it’s going to be hard for her when I do start to go out again. It will be hard for me too because I will worry about her.
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Lucky Elsa and Lucky Dor to have such a charming and faithful companion. Of course, you also have Bill who falls into the adjectives too.
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Such a cutie… and lucky to have found such a caring home. ❤
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I loved meeting her and I think she liked me 🙂
Many dogs will go bonkers when their owners once again go out for a simple hour or two of pleasure when COVID19 has departed which I pray it will but your girl maybe help with work lots and lots of gentle and reassuring work like you sitting on the porch in sight but her in the house she will simply overcome a lot to be out there with you two. JT hated fireworks but after playing them on the computer so low I could not here them she no longer feared noises but I tooks weeks to raise volume so I could hear the youtube video. What that poor girl must have been through so thankful you had room in your heart for a broken dog it is not easy my neighbors dog is glued to her after so many trials in different homes. Have a wonderful Sunday.
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Poor anxious doggie…she is lucky to have you.
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She is a love, no matter her flaws.
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I think she liked you too Eunice! And since she thinks like me and is always on my side, she is no doubt looking forward to seeing you again in person!
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Thankyou Eliza! Elsa has a bunch of hangups but mostly she is just that – “a cutie” – and she loves us and the feelings are mutual.
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LOL! Bill fits in there somewhere I think. 🙂
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I never really thought about separation anxiety since Bill has been with me for 61 years this month! Imagine? But now that the world is opening up again, I have an urge to go out and do my errands like on the pre-virus days. How that will affect little Elsa is predictable. She used to whine and cry when I left before. Now she may double the effort even when Bill is around. Here’s hoping Cindy gets acclimated to any changes in your lifestyle. She and Elsa are quite a pair.
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Elsa has already conquered so much that I didn’t cover in the blog post. One example is her dog bed. At first, when I tried to move it she would jump at me and threaten and nip. Scared me because I really thought she would bite. So I left the bed alone and only moved it when she was out or I could close the door. Now, she just watches me move it around – no threats. So Elsa is already getting past her fears, at least where humans are concerned. I see the beginnings of trust. The sky falling is another thing though..
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Following your blog Kate, I am developing a love for cats who often act like dogs and have the same fears and coping skills. Elsa scootches under the bed if it thunders and if there was a fire and loud noises, we would not be able to rescue her.
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I am getting terribly attached to Elsa but feeling badly for Bill. He has always been center stage with all of our previous pups. This one only visits him for snacks at predictable times. Bill is fond of saying, “If you want to know where Dorothy is, look for Elsa.” I do love her so in spite of some pretty odd flaws in her personality and I suppose she feels the same way about me.
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Thanks for the reassurance! And Here’s to disappearing weirdness! Even with all her problems, I love Elsa. I fervently wish to see her happier and less afraid of the world. And I would love to see her run and play like she knows she is a dog.
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I had to take Hazel to the vet. Mostly I got first appointments as I could catch her when she came out for breakfast but this was was middle of the day. She smelled it and went under the king bed. I had to close the bedroom off and use a broom handle to get her out. I was as upset as she was. My crew now lets me pick them up to go into the carrier, then they sing the song of their people all the way there.
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It sounds like Koko and Elsa are twins! And what joy they bring in spite of sll those fearsome memories they carry. Thanks for sharing what Koko does. Elsa is exactly the same.
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She’s so beautiful, just look at those eyes. Thank goodness she found her way to a patient and loving owner who will love her through her fears.
One of our grand-dogs, Sully, is skittish around men. He will hang around hubby at meal time but otherwise, when he’s here, he’s my shadow. Sleeps on MY bed, lies on the couch next to ME, etc. He’s coming tonight for a 1 week staycation while his ‘rents are away camping. Can’t hardly wait 🙂
Thank you for the update on your Elsa-girl!!
~MJ
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yet our son, his “Dad” is his best-favorite! Dogs are funny sometimes.
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Ditto ❤
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Elsa found the BEST ‘ furever’ home when she came to live with you! A friend of mine also has a rescue dog who exhibits some of the same traits but isn’t afraid of going outdoors unless…you guessed it, the sky is falling (and thundering and lightning)!
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