Where Are You From, Hudson?
Hudson is doing great. Settling in. He's an easy, well-mannered boy. He shows signs of some training--he knows sit and down, he retrieves and drops what he has retrieved. He's a two year old male Golden with some training who had not been neutered. Who was found wandering a highway, skinny, no collar. The woman who found him posted flyers and called vets offices, and looked for any sign someone was looking for him, but after two months had to concede that no one appeared to be.
Is someone missing him? Who would take the time to train him but not look for him? I look at what I know. Training, especially on retrieve and drop, but not neutered. Was someone training him for hunting? He doesn't mind when Bob plays the drums, until Bob hits the high hat, which he clearly dislikes. He scuttles then, paws flying, to come back to me. Was he gunshy? Even so, did he get loose? Did someone dump him?
He's worth some money, even as just a pet. Hard to believe that someone just dropped him off.
I only know that he's afraid of being left again. He loves to go out in the yard. He's deadly fascinated by squirrels. But he wants Bob or me to go out with him, and he keeps looking back. Don't leave me. When we walk, he's skittish. He wants very badly to go, but sounds make him start a little.
Hard to believe someone is not missing him. Mourning him.
Sweet goober. What's your story?
posted by Maureen McHugh at 4:55 PM
7 Comments:
He's a beautiful goober.
I adopted a shelter dog four years ago, and he still seems to fear abandonment at times.
But where does Hudson sleep?
L., in the bedroom, on the floor, next to my side of the bed. Unless he gets hot, then he goes out for awhile and sleeps on the hardwood floor. Although he doesn't so much leap onto the bed as float up there. I had forgotten how high a young dog can jump.
Kristine, I hope he gets over it, but I suspect he never will entirely.
I always wished I would have known Lil Dog's real name and where she came from. She had issues with abandonment when we first found her. However, after a time that was replaced by a very deep bond between her and I. She seemed to realize eventually that I wasn't going to leave her. At some point, instead of whining and barking when I left, she would be the first to greet me at the door with her tail wagging when I got home. Hudson may come around after a while. Retreiver types seem to adjust easier than most other breeds.
Charming dog - I'd say you're lucky to have him. I read recently that animal shelters are seeing a big influx of pets after their owners have been foreclosed out of their homes and have new housing accomodations which don't allow pets. So Hudson being abandoned doesn't necessarily mean he wasn't loved.
The house we are renting right now is at a dumping place for animals. It is well out to the east of Austin. Because there is a cluster of three houses and a trailer it is more inviting than a stretch of open road.
I have the feeling from seeing the quality of the dogs and cats that have been dumped that the people who bring their animals out are not the worst of pet owners. No signs of real abuse, just an animal traumatized by being abandoned by its person. The ones who just don't care would just call animal control, take the pet to Town Lake, or worse.
The most recent dog was a fine yellow lab who had recently nursed puppies. They kept the puppies and dumped her. We sponsored her with the Lab rescue folks and she has gone on to a good home.
We are now trying to negotiate a truce with a young cat. It appreciates the food and water and sits on our step and meows its sorrow but won't let us close.
If you want to have your heart broken go down to Town Lake and see the hundred or so dogs and hundred or so cats that are there because their humans lost interest in them.
There are always more tomorrow.
Hudson is a fortunate dog.
Stuart
I'm glad you have Hudson. Tell him you won't leave him and he'll settle in even more.
I love dog stories. Little moments they share with us, like the ball bouncing on the bathroom door, are priceless.
He's a lucky dog. He'll make you happy in return :-)
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