It seems to me that Autumn knows she and Pia have not bonded and that it wasn't meant to be. As long as she stays committed to getting Pia healthy and finding her a good home, in my book, it still counts as saving that little one. Gloria In a message dated 5/6/2011 7:59:50 P.M. Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
Please give her more time Autumn. She's been through a lot and she is not sure of what her place in your life really is yet. I am sure she is still very apprehensive and trying hard to sort things out in her sweet little mind. I am not really much of a dog expert, but instead of quarantining her, which seems sort of cruel when she is so unsure of things in her new home, I wonder how it would be if you were to put her in some sort of x pen that is near you with some toys, etc., such as Gloria suggested so you are nearby to help with her separation anxiety, since she seems to have somehow bonded to you. And maybe sometime during the day, with your supervision, let her rip up and down the hallway much as she likes to expend some of her pent up energy and anxiety she must be feeling about her new surroundings. I found that trait so hilarious and sweet in the little girl Chi I had visit with us for a week did exactly the same thing. When I babysat my friend's Chihuahua, Mia, she was a nervous wreck initially about being in a new place, but she seem so comforted the more I talked with her and explained exactly what was going on here, that I was keeping watch over her while her mommy was away. When I did research on the computer and it was nap time for her, I placed her on the sofa close to me with a large blanket up the open end of the sofa to buffer a fall in case she tried to get down. I gave her my small rufflely pillow that I use to support my back because our sofa is very deep and she seemed to love burying herself into that pillow, I think because it had my scent on it. She would pop her little head up every now and then (so cute) and I would reassure her all was fine and she would go back to sleep. She was a different dog from the day she arrived here to the day my friend came to pick her up and I think that will occur with you and Pia also as each day she feels more secure and comfortable with the love that unfolds between you and she, the walks you two are enjoying together will help cement your bonding process and there will be come to a pattern in your relationship that is filled with love and trust. I wish you all the best with your new and very adorable faced girl, Pia. Lynn In a message dated 5/6/2011 1:10:58 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: Pia continues to improve. The cough still isn't great. But her energy levels are up. There's a definite drop in malaise. She ate without problem this morning. She also seems to be drinking. This is the first time I've actually heard her bark. And cry actually. Because she's not enjoying being put in quarantine. In the hallway. She is food motivated. So we spent a few minutes working on Come and Sit. She also seems to enjoy going for walks. Right now she's really unhappy about being in quarantine...But this is another thing she has to get used to. I may throw her travel bag in there for her to get used to. But I'm hoping to nip potential separation anxiety problems in the bud right now. But at least she's definitely acting more like a dog.
