Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis

Paul McQuillan · 09-13-2009, 02:39 PM

This weekend turned out to be one of revelation in the McQuillan house.

Rather than directing you to my blog to read the story I am going to cut and
paste it here for you.

Thanks for reading

Abused Great Dane Teaches Me a Lesson

This weekend me and my wife had the unique experience of adopting a
4 year old Great Dane named Reuben (we call him Roo).

As you can see he is a magnificent animal. Sadly he had a hard life. He
had a life that makes most of our problems look like a winning lottery ticket.

He was saved from a place where the dog is not considered a part of
the family. He was nothing more than a burden.

Roo has abandonment issues because he found his home as being locked
in a garage. Alone in the dark without very much contact, and that contact
not being much better.

This horrid human being decided to crop Roo’s ears, himself. Looks like with a
scissors as they are different shaped and have ridges like little stairways going
down them.

He arrived at the rescue extremely underweight and showing signs of abuse
with fresh wounds on his snout. He had a tumor a little bigger

than a softball on his chest. The tumor was outside the ribcage so it was VERY
obvious.

He is a loving animal but is aggressive with strangers at first. Danes are not known
to be like this so it shows what his life must have been like.

Now he follows us everywhere and plays with our other 2 dogs. Well, he plays with
our other Dane as the smaller dog is not interested in getting stepped on

Roo is an amazing dog. At times as I stare in his eyes I can feel the pain he has been
through. Both physically and mentally. Part of me wants to cry and the other part wants
to beat the crap out of someone.

As I sit here with my daily issues, I only need to look over at my giant friend and know
this is nothing. I just imagine what a day must have been like in his 4 years there. His
only break from solitude was pain.

As you wake up tomorrow and think about all your problems, remember Roo and what
cards he was dealt. Then get off your ass and do what he could not.

Go get some

Paul

(see Roo on my blog)

moodykitty · 09-14-2009, 12:03 AM

Thanks for sharing Roo with us!
I had a Boston Great Dane as a kid, she was the best dog (we did NOT crop her ears). this dog slept with me on my twin size bed, you can imagine who took up most of the bed, ha!
Sadly, she got bone cancer at the age of 4 and passed on. But I will always remember her, she was so good.

Animals are quite special creatures. They think differently than humans. We tend to feel sorry for ourselves when things don't go right, or we're sick or we've had an abusive past. Animals, they don't feel sorry for themselves, they just get on with life and make the best of what they've got. They don't have the kind of hang ups we have.
I image in Roo's mind he's a very happy dog now and he doesn't dwell on the past (like we tend to do). Sure, there's that stuff in his subconscious mind that causes him to react a certain way in certain situations but he'll be ok. He is ok now that he has a loving family to care for him.
We could learn some lessons from Roo I think. Such as how to make the most of today & how to forget the past and be happy where you are

Peace
~C

Kay King · 09-14-2009, 12:55 AM

There is no more loyal companion than a dog formerly abuse who has learn you can be trusted. It is an amazing transformation and I've seen it happen many times. I have one of those dogs myself.

Chances are Roo will remain skeptical of strangers but will accept people more and more based on your reaction to the person. However, Danes are often protective of "their people" and one who was abused may show more of this protective behavior.

How painful those ears must have been! I'm so glad he ended up with you. Some people need to have their ears cut off with dull scissors and spend days at a time in a dark garage. It might wake up their brain.

kay

Kay King · 09-14-2009, 12:57 AM

I tried to correct a type - but the forum won't let me - tells my "title" is too long. I didn't have a title. Duh.

Mr.Tambourine · 09-14-2009, 01:28 AM

Nice touching experience. Was glad to read it !

acrasial · 09-14-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kay King

I tried to correct a type - but the forum won't let me - tells my "title" is too long. I didn't have a title. Duh.

seems there is something wrong in the forum then? a bug?

Karen Connell · 09-14-2009, 03:20 PM

It's nice to know that this guy now has a good home. My rescue Dane died last year after 5 great years with me. He was the biggest softie you could wish to meet. He had come from a home where they had bought two as pups and were surprised when they grew so big. They kept them in a small shed because 'they were too big for the house'. Rudi gave me 5 great years and went everywhere with me.

I now have a mad whippet ( whippet-tales.com ) who amuses me and drives me mad. I still miss the big fella but he lived a great life and went peacefully in my arms.

I wish you and your wife lots of fun with his lucky chap.

Karen

Paul McQuillan · 09-15-2009, 10:05 AM

I want to thank those of you that have pm'd me, emailed and commented
your feelings.

Roo has a very hard time when we leave. He shadows us everywhere. We noticed yesterday that if he goes in the garage we can barley get him
to come out. (he spent most his life trapped in one)

He does not give kisses or wag his tail, ever. He does lay his head on
us all the time and he needs to be next to us all the time.

Roo will be a work in progress likely for the rest of his life, and we are
very happy to be with him through it.

Next time one of you think about getting a dog, look into saving one. I
can't even describe the multitude of great feelings that come from that.

again, thanks

Paul

Kay King · 09-15-2009, 10:16 AM

Paul -

I have a suggestion for you. It's one that worked well for me when I took on an abused german shephard female several years ago.

Invest in an x-lg dog crate if you have the money and the space for it. Even though the garage was a "punishment", Roo associates it with NOT being hurt as a refuge.

I don't condone confining dogs in a crate - but I've learned a crate can be a "cave" of safety for a timid animal. The dog will go in and out of the crate as it feels the need to be safe - but the advantage is you will be close enough to keep talking to and reassuring. I used baby comforters purchased at a thrift shop to provide a soft bed in the crate and whenever Gretta became stressed or unsure - or wanted a safe place to sleep - she would go to the crate where she was protected. (The door was never closed on the crate.)

If you can't get a crate try to create a protected feeling in the corner of a room - she needs a "refuge" where she feels hidden and safe.

To a dog who has been drastically confined, freedom is stressful - like a human afraid of heights standing on the edge of a cliff.

kay

KenThompson · 09-15-2009, 12:19 PM

Paul, that's a great thing you and your wife did. I have
very special feelings for all animals, and I can hardly bear
to think about people hurting them.

Animals are so special for many reasons.

About 4-5 years ago I found two very small kittens near
my home. They're brother and sister. I took them in and
now they're very good friends. They both follow me in
the house. When I get home they're sitting in front of
the door and they greet me like a dog. lol. It's amazing.
When I go to bed they have to get on the bed and sleep
next to me. I've never seen any cat behave like that.

I echo your recommendation to consider rescuing an
animal and giving it a break in life. It's worth it, trust me.

Thanks for the good post, Paul.

Christopher Grant · 09-15-2009, 02:49 PM

That's a good thing that you have a heart for Roo. At least, Roo is now in a safe place and he can have a family in you.

Jay_Mueller · 10-11-2009, 03:33 AM

You are lucky to get to share your life with Roo. Roo will eventually learn to trust and when he does you will be an incredibly lucky person. Dogs know when you've saved them and you will be rewarded many times.

multiplefigureincome · 10-14-2009, 08:15 AM

Heatmelting story. I love dogs and I can feel your anger.

09-13-2009, 02:39 PM	#1
Paul McQuillan Sales Page Writer War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Minnesota USA Posts: 806 Thanks: 98 Thanked 208 Times in 134 Posts Social Networking	Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis This weekend turned out to be one of revelation in the McQuillan house. Rather than directing you to my blog to read the story I am going to cut and paste it here for you. Thanks for reading Abused Great Dane Teaches Me a Lesson This weekend me and my wife had the unique experience of adopting a 4 year old Great Dane named Reuben (we call him Roo). As you can see he is a magnificent animal. Sadly he had a hard life. He had a life that makes most of our problems look like a winning lottery ticket. He was saved from a place where the dog is not considered a part of the family. He was nothing more than a burden. Roo has abandonment issues because he found his home as being locked in a garage. Alone in the dark without very much contact, and that contact not being much better. This horrid human being decided to crop Roo’s ears, himself. Looks like with a scissors as they are different shaped and have ridges like little stairways going down them. He arrived at the rescue extremely underweight and showing signs of abuse with fresh wounds on his snout. He had a tumor a little bigger than a softball on his chest. The tumor was outside the ribcage so it was VERY obvious. He is a loving animal but is aggressive with strangers at first. Danes are not known to be like this so it shows what his life must have been like. Now he follows us everywhere and plays with our other 2 dogs. Well, he plays with our other Dane as the smaller dog is not interested in getting stepped on Roo is an amazing dog. At times as I stare in his eyes I can feel the pain he has been through. Both physically and mentally. Part of me wants to cry and the other part wants to beat the crap out of someone. As I sit here with my daily issues, I only need to look over at my giant friend and know this is nothing. I just imagine what a day must have been like in his 4 years there. His only break from solitude was pain. As you wake up tomorrow and think about all your problems, remember Roo and what cards he was dealt. Then get off your ass and do what he could not. Go get some Paul (see Roo on my blog)
	Paul McQuillan (my fabulous blog) Need a Killer Sales Page?- click here

09-14-2009, 12:03 AM	#2
moodykitty HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, USA. Posts: 409 Thanks: 18 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis Thanks for sharing Roo with us! I had a Boston Great Dane as a kid, she was the best dog (we did NOT crop her ears). this dog slept with me on my twin size bed, you can imagine who took up most of the bed, ha! Sadly, she got bone cancer at the age of 4 and passed on. But I will always remember her, she was so good. Animals are quite special creatures. They think differently than humans. We tend to feel sorry for ourselves when things don't go right, or we're sick or we've had an abusive past. Animals, they don't feel sorry for themselves, they just get on with life and make the best of what they've got. They don't have the kind of hang ups we have. I image in Roo's mind he's a very happy dog now and he doesn't dwell on the past (like we tend to do). Sure, there's that stuff in his subconscious mind that causes him to react a certain way in certain situations but he'll be ok. He is ok now that he has a loving family to care for him. We could learn some lessons from Roo I think. Such as how to make the most of today & how to forget the past and be happy where you are Peace ~C
	I would rather believe in God and die finding out there isn't a God then not believe in God and die finding out THERE IS A GOD.

09-14-2009, 12:55 AM	#3
Kay King Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gulf Coast, USA. Posts: 11,318 Thanks: 296 Thanked 737 Times in 451 Posts	Re: Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis There is no more loyal companion than a dog formerly abuse who has learn you can be trusted. It is an amazing transformation and I've seen it happen many times. I have one of those dogs myself. Chances are Roo will remain skeptical of strangers but will accept people more and more based on your reaction to the person. However, Danes are often protective of "their people" and one who was abused may show more of this protective behavior. How painful those ears must have been! I'm so glad he ended up with you. Some people need to have their ears cut off with dull scissors and spend days at a time in a dark garage. It might wake up their brain. kay

09-14-2009, 12:57 AM	#4
Kay King Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gulf Coast, USA. Posts: 11,318 Thanks: 296 Thanked 737 Times in 451 Posts	Re: Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis I tried to correct a type - but the forum won't let me - tells my "title" is too long. I didn't have a title. Duh.

09-14-2009, 01:28 AM	#5
Mr.Tambourine Active Warrior Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 29 Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis Nice touching experience. Was glad to read it !

09-14-2009, 03:20 PM	#7
Karen Connell I CAN do this... War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 426 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 67 Thanked 49 Times in 39 Posts	Re: Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis It's nice to know that this guy now has a good home. My rescue Dane died last year after 5 great years with me. He was the biggest softie you could wish to meet. He had come from a home where they had bought two as pups and were surprised when they grew so big. They kept them in a small shed because 'they were too big for the house'. Rudi gave me 5 great years and went everywhere with me. I now have a mad whippet ( whippet-tales.com ) who amuses me and drives me mad. I still miss the big fella but he lived a great life and went peacefully in my arms. I wish you and your wife lots of fun with his lucky chap. Karen
	Writer Available - Quality articles at a great Warrior price. Swift Articles No opt-in. INSTANT DOWNLOAD - 5 FREE sample articles - enjoy!

09-15-2009, 10:05 AM	#8
Paul McQuillan Sales Page Writer War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Minnesota USA Posts: 806 Thanks: 98 Thanked 208 Times in 134 Posts Social Networking	Re: Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis I want to thank those of you that have pm'd me, emailed and commented your feelings. Roo has a very hard time when we leave. He shadows us everywhere. We noticed yesterday that if he goes in the garage we can barley get him to come out. (he spent most his life trapped in one) He does not give kisses or wag his tail, ever. He does lay his head on us all the time and he needs to be next to us all the time. Roo will be a work in progress likely for the rest of his life, and we are very happy to be with him through it. Next time one of you think about getting a dog, look into saving one. I can't even describe the multitude of great feelings that come from that. again, thanks Paul
	Paul McQuillan (my fabulous blog) Need a Killer Sales Page?- click here

09-15-2009, 10:16 AM	#9
Kay King Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gulf Coast, USA. Posts: 11,318 Thanks: 296 Thanked 737 Times in 451 Posts	Re: Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis Paul - I have a suggestion for you. It's one that worked well for me when I took on an abused german shephard female several years ago. Invest in an x-lg dog crate if you have the money and the space for it. Even though the garage was a "punishment", Roo associates it with NOT being hurt as a refuge. I don't condone confining dogs in a crate - but I've learned a crate can be a "cave" of safety for a timid animal. The dog will go in and out of the crate as it feels the need to be safe - but the advantage is you will be close enough to keep talking to and reassuring. I used baby comforters purchased at a thrift shop to provide a soft bed in the crate and whenever Gretta became stressed or unsure - or wanted a safe place to sleep - she would go to the crate where she was protected. (The door was never closed on the crate.) If you can't get a crate try to create a protected feeling in the corner of a room - she needs a "refuge" where she feels hidden and safe. To a dog who has been drastically confined, freedom is stressful - like a human afraid of heights standing on the edge of a cliff. kay

09-15-2009, 12:19 PM	#10
KenThompson (1/0)E(-1/2) et Bushido War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wilmington Delaware Posts: 172 Thanks: 78 Thanked 74 Times in 53 Posts Social Networking	Re: Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis Paul, that's a great thing you and your wife did. I have very special feelings for all animals, and I can hardly bear to think about people hurting them. Animals are so special for many reasons. About 4-5 years ago I found two very small kittens near my home. They're brother and sister. I took them in and now they're very good friends. They both follow me in the house. When I get home they're sitting in front of the door and they greet me like a dog. lol. It's amazing. When I go to bed they have to get on the bed and sleep next to me. I've never seen any cat behave like that. I echo your recommendation to consider rescuing an animal and giving it a break in life. It's worth it, trust me. Thanks for the good post, Paul.
	Ken Thompson The Ugly Truth >> http://www.WayneMadsenReport.com

09-15-2009, 02:49 PM	#11
Christopher Grant Active Warrior Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Social Networking	Re: Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis That's a good thing that you have a heart for Roo. At least, Roo is now in a safe place and he can have a family in you.
	Stay Healthy http://swisssciences.com/index.php Live a long Life http://www.liquiboost.com/index.html

10-11-2009, 03:33 AM	#12
Jay_Mueller Warrior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spotsylvainia, Virginia, USA Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Social Networking	Re: Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis You are lucky to get to share your life with Roo. Roo will eventually learn to trust and when he does you will be an incredibly lucky person. Dogs know when you've saved them and you will be rewarded many times.
	*Jay Mueller - JayLynne Enterprises* http://www.jaylynne.com - IM Blog http://www.ourgreenlifebiz.com - Green Blog http://www.renewableenergyexplained.com - Product

10-14-2009, 08:15 AM	#13
multiplefigureincome Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 21 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Abused Dog Warms My Heart And Causes Self Diagnosis Heatmelting story. I love dogs and I can feel your anger.