Mia (Nika) has to go back :-(

[A.J.]

It's very unfortunate and sad 

It's a little cool here and Eric likes to have the windows open.  He came down the hall with red flannel pj bottoms and those socks that have the feety bottoms.
They make a sound like feety pj's.

Mia started barking and howling at him.  So he sat in the front room, set up the TV tables and we were getting ready to sit down, but she wouldn't stop barking at him.  I sat next to Eric and I was trying to see that it was the same guys from yesterday, but she wouldn't stop.

He got up and went to walk down the hall and I had to grab her collar as she was going toward him.

After he went into the bedroom, I had him give me the pants and I put them on.

She was on the couch when I came out and she started to growl, bark and howl at me.  I went to reach my hand out and she bit me.    Broke the skin.

I just got done hand feeding her because she wouldn't eat.  Last night she had her head on Eric's chest while he pet her watching TV.

I feel so sorry for the life she had before.  I really started to have feelings for her.

I told Eric the other day, that I wish Cana would send us a sign.  Every day there was something that Mia did, that we'd count, "Sign # 7, sign #8"
We got up to 27!   

Even now, Eric is in the back in his office.  He just coughed and she's barking.

I called the woman from the shelter after it happened.  Told her about it.  I'm bringing her back in the morning. 

[KivaLuver]

That's very sad and I am sorry you have stop fostering her.  Dogs have what they call anxiety thresholds where they can feel over whelmed and bite out of anxiety and fear. I wonder what it is about the PJs that made her so anxious. That might be why she was tied up in the yard. I had Kaden for only a few days when he bit the neighbor boy. He broke the skin. The trainer I hired theorized his first family had mean kids and he was attacked a lot and possibly beaten by the adults when he tried to protect himself. So he isn't allowed near kids of any age. Maybe something similar happened with Nika.

[A.J.]

After she bit me, I took the pants and socks off.  Eric came out in jeans, we went into the den and she layed down, all was quiet.

We got up to get ready for bed, Eric went down the hall, and she started barking down the hallway.  I quieted her down, but whenever Eric talked from the back room, she barked again. 

Tomorrow Eric has to get up early to go to a meeting.  I'm going to put her in the yard till he leaves.  He's actually afraid to come out to the kitchen.

Last night, she was with us on the couch and she kept watching Eric.  If he moved her eyes got bigger. 

Finally, I took his hand and put it on top of mine.  I started to pet her and then she started to lick Eric's hand.

She then put her head on his stomach and he was petting her and she fell asleep on him.

At the dog park she left me, went to the bench where Eric was sitting and put her head in his lap to be pet.

Something sparked this.  It's so sad.  We were already making plans to have her for a while.   

[janpo1]

Oh AJ i am so sorry.  I feel like crying also for you guys. 

My guess is that maybe a man that might sound or/and look like Eric abused her.  I know Molly was afraid of men when we first got her and little things set off her barking but....she never bit.

 

[A.J.]

It is such a shame!  She will now be a victim twice. 

Eric got up this morning and as soon as she heard him talk, or make any noise she started howling and barking again. 

I had to bring him his coffee and toast in the bedroom. 

I slept in the living room with her.  She woke me by licking my face. 

[megs]

I hope you are OK.  I'm sorry that it didn't work out.   She must have really been in a screwed up place before.  Poor thing.

[A.J.]

I hope you are OK.  I'm sorry that it didn't work out.   She must have really been in a screwed up place before.  Poor thing.

I know Megs.  It's so sad. 

I went and got the pants and slippers from the bedroom.  I brought them out and let her smell the pants.

She was fine smelling them.  I let her smell the slippers.  She took one from me and walked away with it.  I took it from her and sat down.
I put them on to show her that there was nothing to be afraid up and it was like turning on a switch. 

She ran from me and started up again.  I took them off and brought them in the bedroom.  Now she's laying here as if nothing happened. 

[janpo1]

Maybe she was kicked? Do you think more time might help?

[A.J.]

If it was just me, Jan, I would try to rehabilitate her myself.  I thought maybe if I put the socks on my hands and pet her with them, she would see that they
could be a good thing.  But what if next time it's a hat, or coat, etc.

I would feel horrible if I took her to the dog park and she acted this way because someone was wearing something that she didn't like. 

Eric is also afraid of her, now.  Where even though she bit me, I understand where this could be coming from.

The other night on the couch, when she was watching his every move, made him uncomfortable too.  We thought she got over it.

The fact that she barked at him this morning while he was in the bedroom was too much for him too. 

She will pick up on his fear for sure. 

[KivaLuver]

Sadly, many people buy rotties hoping to turn them into big, tough, mean dogs. Much like with Pit Bulls. If Mia was mistreated for the same reason it's such a shame.

[minniesmom]

A.J.  I'm so sorry this turned out like this. It sounded like she was getting on good with you guys. It's sad because she is so young.

[A.J.]

I know Terri, it seemed that way to me too!

Eric even said yesterday, "Boy when we go on our cruise, your head isn't even going to be on the cruise is it? You're going to be thinking about her and the day we get back, you're not going to be able to wait to go get her and bring her home".

I took some pictures of her this morning that were just so sweet.  I'll post them later.

I have to leave now to take her back 

[minniesmom]

 

[megs]

  

[iloveshepherds]

Awww, im so sorry to hear its not working out.

[KivaLuver]

Very difficult to do I am sure. 

[A.J.]

Thank you guys, yes it was very hard. 

These were taken right after this morning's incident.

[minniesmom]

I bet Duke misses her too.  I'm really sorry and I hope she finds a forever home.

[janpo1]

Those are wonderful pictures.  I really wished it would have worked out.

Hopefully she finds her forever home soon.  How old is she again?

[A.J.]

Yes, I hope so too!  Jan, she's 11 months old.

[KDN]

So sorry, AJ... .  I can certainly understand your heartbreak and agony over the decision to send her back.  In the best scenario, maybe they can find someone to take her that has the time and patience to work through her insecurities--she is still young, really too young to be having such serious reactions-- and that kind of makes me think that it could be poor nerves/breeding coupled with whatever happened in her past.  At any rate, you ARE doing the right thing, trust me, I know.  Maybe you remember our trials with Duke.  Unfortunately there was no freedom from his demons, and my husband pays the price to this day, physically AND emotionally.  My thoughts and prayers are with you...

[dawnk777]

I'm so sorry, AJ, but that did sound a bit scary.   

[pyrennial]

  

I'm so sorry.

[janpo1]

Did you ever hear any more about Nika from the shelter?

Are you still looking to adopt?

[A.J.]

Thanx everyone!  It was scary and so sad 

I haven't heard from them.  I spoke to the woman Yoly the day after I brought her back and she said she will work with her.

Yes, Jan, we are still looking, but after we get back from our cruise. 

There is a gorgeous girl that's between 1 & 2 yrs of age on 100+ Abandoned dogs of Everglades Florida Facebook page.
Someone asked if she was a Beauceron.  I looked them up and it looks like she could be, or a Dobie.

Although, Eric is more towards a puppy, so I can train her from the start.
Here is a picture of her.