‘world’s saddest dog’ the difficulties in Animal adoption

http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/the-photo-of-the-worlds-saddest-dog-goes-viral/story-fnjwkt0b-1227596455830

PHOTOS and stories of animals in pain are a common sight online these days, that is the sad reality, but there was something about this photo that spoke to people across the globe.
This photo taken and posted by Canada’s Might Mutts, where one-and-half-year-old Lana, a Lab mix, had started her life as a pup.
Lana, her mother and siblings were found in a “very bad place” when they was first rescued and were taken in by Mighty Mutts. Lana developed guarding issues due to her tough start in life which meant she was constantly moving from foster care home to foster care home.
Guarding issues occur when a dog starts ‘resource guarding’ and becoming aggressive towards any perceived threat to the dog’s territorial resources.
Lana had been adopted by a family but when her guarding issues came out and she snapped at the mother she was returned. This photo was taken when Lana was surrendered by her adoptive family and her despair in it is palpable.
According to The Dodo, Lana didn’t move for an entire day, with staff not able to even walk her.

https://www.facebook.com/MightyMuttsDogTraining/timeline

Poor dog! Makes you want to weep.

yep

She needs a home in the country, with a couple who are used to handling dogs and have no children.  Poor thing, what we do to animals!

Just showed her to my OH, we'll have her he said.  Had to explain she was in America.

She's adorable! Why wouldn't anyone want her?

If she has guarding issues Eddie, she would need an experienced handler.  Guarding issues means that she has lost so much in her life she will show aggression to anyone imposing on what she has designated as her territory or her food, or toys etc.   It can be overcome, my Wally was like that when I got him because he had been fostered many times and was terrified he would be left again.  My friend came with me to get him and bring him home.  My ex and I had the day with him and he seemed really pleased to be in a house again.  The next day my friend came round to see how he was doing.  Because she had been the driver, we are pretty certain he thought she was taking him back to the kennels and he snarled and growled and shook.  I had to hold him on a very tight leash, walk him out to the car with him snarling and struggling all the way, and then walk him back again.  We did it a few times, until the last time when he had stopped fighting and the penny had dropped that he wasn't going to be taken back, and he walked with me like a little lamb and sat beside her and licked her hand.    Now, if the lady that he snarled at became frightened and didn't realise what was going on in her head and didn't know how to handle it, I can understand her thinking that she should take her back.  But the dog, with all it's troubles, should never have been put with someone who didn't expect it to act like that and didn't know how to handle it.

My OH has seriously asked me if we could bring the dog over, because we both have had dogs all our lives and dealt with rescue dogs that have problems.  I really wish we could.

This broke my heart. Hopefully with this on social media someone can home her forever.

Hope so Cass, poor bewildered dog.

eddie wrote:She's adorable! Why wouldn't anyone want her?

My late wife and I rescued an abandoned BeagleXJack Russell. When my wife died she (Mitzty) proved to be my closest friend and companion. She still is, bless her.

Fred Moletrousers wrote:

eddie wrote:She's adorable! Why wouldn't anyone want her?

My late wife and I rescued an abandoned BeagleXJack Russell.  When my wife died she (Mitzty) proved to be my closest friend and companion. She still is, bless her.

My mum wouldn't have got through the death of my father had it not been for her dogs.

You'd think that progressive conditioning could help her guarding issues, right? Kind of like how they treat people for everything from phobias to allergies.

Ben_Reilly wrote:You'd think that progressive conditioning could help her guarding issues, right? Kind of like how they treat people for everything from phobias to allergies.

The love they show for their "owners" is, simply, unconditional...and natural, Ben.

Ben_Reilly wrote:You'd think that progressive conditioning could help her guarding issues, right? Kind of like how they treat people for everything from phobias to allergies.

The point is Ben, that progressive conditioning can't be done in kennels.  In order to get over the guarding issues she has to be in a place she knows she won't be moved from, as the continuous movement is what is causing the issues.

sassy wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:You'd think that progressive conditioning could help her guarding issues, right? Kind of like how they treat people for everything from phobias to allergies.

The point is Ben, that progressive conditioning can't be done in kennels.  In order to get over the guarding issues she has to be in a place she knows she won't be moved from, as the continuous movement is what is causing the issues.

Oh, I totally agree. She needs a stable family first and they shouldn't even try to fix this problem for a few months after adopting her.

Fred Moletrousers wrote:

eddie wrote:She's adorable! Why wouldn't anyone want her?

My late wife and I rescued an abandoned BeagleXJack Russell.  When my wife died she (Mitzty) proved to be my closest friend and companion. She still is, bless her.

As soon as my mum moved here after my stepfather passed away, she adopted a cat that my son had rescued. He has helped her through some rough moments.

BTW Heellllloooo Handsome x

Cass wrote:

Fred Moletrousers wrote:

My late wife and I rescued an abandoned BeagleXJack Russell.  When my wife died she (Mitzty) proved to be my closest friend and companion. She still is, bless her.

As soon as my mum moved here after my stepfather passed away, she adopted a cat that my son had rescued. He has helped her through some rough moments.

BTW Heellllloooo Handsome x

Hello, Cass......and Mitzy says "thanks...and tell him to give me an extra Bonio"!

Thought you said "boner" then

They all sat together after Belker’s death, wondering aloud how sad it is that animals lives are shorter than humans. Shane, who had been listening quietly, spoke ”I know why. . . People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life, like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The 6-y/o continued, ”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

http://boredbug.com/they-told-this-little-boy-his-dog-was-going-to-be-put-down-his-response-stunned-them/?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=top20cpm_engc

eddie wrote:Thought you said "boner" then

Typical .....pfft