Howser

#13-062 Howser

age 4-5 years; weight 73 lbs.

AVAILABLE

Heartworm Positive

Updated: 08/14/13

What Howser needs is a family who will love him for all he is and for all he won’t be. He probably won’t ever be their jogging buddy, or their partner in crime, or even their cuddle bug; because with each harsh word and accompanying backhand, Howser’s previous owner made sure of that.

Yet as his days continue in foster care, Howser is beginning to learn what love is—but he just hasn’t decided if he’s worthy of it yet. 

Though he is still quite shy, he will come and look for his foster mom when she’s in another room.  And if she’s coming home from a long day at work, she often catches him and his foster sibling peering out the window, eagerly waiting for her to walk through the door.

In fact, when Howser left the vet today from his first heartworm treatment, he plodded over to her with that lovable golden grin.

Described by his foster mom as “hesitant in everything he does,” Howser is having gradual success overcoming his overwhelming abundance of fears.  When his foster mom will scold one of the other pups, Howser runs for cover, as if the mere sound of a harsh voice provokes bad memories.

His foster mom says he’s a little less shy than when we last checked in on him; in fact, a few days ago, while his foster mom’s floors were being replaced, workmen were rushing in and out of the house.  Howser, who would have normally ducked down and belly crawled to his crate, actually remained out and about with the other goldens. 

And on quite a few occasions, his foster mom has unexpectedly walked in on ol’ Howser and his foster sister laying on their dog bed, giving kisses to one another.

He’s even taken a treat from her hand a few times—a tremendous improvement from where he was just a few months ago. 

Though some of Howser’s major accomplishments may seem like baby steps to others, this boy continually shows us his golden spirit, full of courage, still wanting to believe in the good of others.  If his foster mom plops down on the floor to give her pups some love, Howser refuses to budge from his spot in line, unwilling to give up his turn for a head rub. 

But in order for him to make those baby steps, the conditions absolutely must be on his own time.

His foster mom feels he would be best suited for a family who would honor that time, knowing that he didn’t become this shy because of one day’s worth of abuse.  Deep wounds don’t heal in a day, a week, or perhaps even a month. 

#13-062 Howser

age 4-5 years; weight 60 lbs.

AVAILABLE

Heartworm Positive

Update 7/19/13

To fully understand Howser’s journey, pull out the dictionary and look up the term rescue.  As you thumb through the delicate pages, past the “Os,” then “Ps,” then “Qs,” you finally arrive at your destination. Now read the definition aloud.

                rescue—n. one who is freed or delivered from confinement, violence, danger or evil

The connection between the two: dog and definition, has only been made more transparent while Howser’s been in foster care.

When GRR first brought in Howser, his past was a mystery. The emaciated, rough-coated golden seemed reserved, but terribly fearful of human interaction.  Any quick movements would send him rushing for cover—clearly this dog has suffered from physical abuse. 

And almost two months later, though Howser has improved in several areas, he still struggles emotionally with his past.

Howser regularly comes out of his crate and plops down on the dog bed in the family room whereas before, he couldn’t seem to pull himself away from his safety zone. Now, he will even come over for a nice head rub too. 

Howser enjoys romping with his foster mom’s other pups, rolling and tussling without any inhibitions. But he is also content lounging around the house while Sailor and Ruby have their fun outside.

He’s getting much better about trusting humans, though he is still wary about quick movements.  According to his foster mom, he will approach for pets if she’s seated.  If she’s standing, she can approach him with her hand outstretched—but he tends to lay on the ground waiting for her to come to him. 

His foster mom also says over the past few months, he really enjoys head pets and now allows her to give him belly rubs.

Though his emotional needs may take a bit more time, Howser’s nutritional needs are improving significantly. With high quality dog food and his heartworm treatments, hooray for Howser as his dandruff and bare patches are clearing up nicely.

Unfortunately, Howser’s first round of heartworm treatments was a bit hard on him as he faced an unfortunate incident with an unlikely enemy: a kitchen hand towel.

After sensing a bit of listlessness and a lack of desire to eat, Howser’s foster mom quickly rushed him to the vet only to find, surprise! Her missing hand towel was inside Howser’s belly.  

With that predicament behind him, Howser is on the mend.  Feeling much better, Howser is back to his old self again. In fact, he’s put on 13 lbs. in two months.

Howser’s foster mom continues to reiterate that though he seems to have some scars, all he needs in a home and a family where he can feel safe; he’s gone far too long being afraid. “I know he is going to be a major love to someone—probably a great companion to someone who can stay at home” and make up for lost time. This sweet boy is truly one who deserves it.

We can’t change the past; we can’t fix past struggles, but what we can do is meet them where their hurts are, and carry them through it—this is but one definition of love.

Though we don’t know Howser’s story before he came into GRR’s care, we can only assume what might have been.   When GRR nabbed this young pup and his compadre Doogie from a local shelter, they quickly realized Howser especially needed an abundance of TLC.  And though his buddy Doogie seemed to be unfazed by the rough life he lived before coming into GRR care, poor Howser, emaciated, flea infested, beat up, limping from his front leg, and heartworm positive seemed downtrodden and depressed. 

Can this golden boy get a break?

Just as always, Gold Ribbon Rescue sprung into action.  After picking Doogie and Howser up from the shelter, the GRR volunteer rushed both pups over to the vet’s office to begin their transformation. 

And now that Howser has been living with his foster family for about two weeks, his foster mom reports that Howser is slowly making progress, both emotionally, socially, and medically—but he still has a way to go. 

Very sweet, but very shy, when Howser comes in from outside, he lumbers right into his crate and remains there.  But when his foster mom leaves the room, he falls in line with her other pups, following her into the next room. As soon as she spins around, he’s no longer “invisible.” Like a child playing “hide and seek,” he realizes he’s been caught, and then he will high tail it for the safety of his crate.

While attending a GRR weekend event at a local dog park, Howser, anxiety ridden from all the newness surrounding him, hid under the shelter of his foster mom’s chair.

And though it may seem Howser’s sending mixed messages, his behavior towards his foster mom is clear that Howser is a “Velcro dog” in the making.  Just give him a little bit more time, and soon enough, Howser won’t be able to get enough head pats and belly rubs.  And soon enough, foster mom won’t ever have another moment alone without a nudging wet nose bopping her free hand.

Both his foster mom and his transport volunteer noted that Howser will always be a shy guy, but he really is a sweetheart.  From his transport volunteer: “Howser was extremely timid on pick up from the vet’s office, but he really enjoyed the car ride. He was like a totally different dog. He’s definitely been beaten up, but after a couple of months of good care and socialization, he’ll be a great companion.”

After having Howser in her care, his foster mom states he walks well on the leash and is beginning to learn that petting and brushing actually feel good.  She even stated Howser had quite the breakthrough as he jumped in and out of her SUV on his own—and without her coaxing him!  His foster mom has also said he gets along well with his foster siblings though at this point, since he’s adapting to such a new environment, he doesn’t interact with them too much.

And Howser’s new nutritious diet has dramatically affected his skin as the bald spots, dandruff, and flea bites are clearing up quite nicely.

Just as Howser’s physical appearance continues to improve with topical medicine, his emotional and mental hurts are  transforming as well.  Unfortunately, those hurts take longer to heal. This young boy has shown glimpses of the companion he was meant to be.  He deserves a second chance, but he needs someone to carry him through it.