Carolina Boxer Rescue takes in dogs of all ages, from all sorts of different situations. As a rescue, our mission is to save as many dogs from euthanasia as we can. We especially want to help rescue dogs that are at understaffed, and underfunded shelters, where we are likely their only chance at a better life. Many of the dogs we take in require extensive (and expensive) medical or behavioral work before they are ready for their forever homes. Our foster homes put in the blood, sweat, and tears to take these broken souls (agreeing to foster them sight unseen, not knowing about their fears and quirks) and transform them into the amazing companions we knew they would be. This month, we would like to feature two dogs currently in rescue that are working through major behavioral challenges, and their amazingly patient and caring foster families. We sadly see MANY dogs like this every year in rescue, in varying degrees of severity.

Honey came to CBR at the beginning of September, and has been with the rescue for about 6 weeks. She was found as a stray in upstate South Carolina, and came to CBR after about a month in the shelter. When she arrived, she was so skittish, and we were so afraid she would pull her leash and bolt, that we transported her to her foster home by moving her in a crate from vehicle to vehicle. She came into rescue weighing 28 pounds, and was too scared at first to eat. She would not take food from people at first, and would only eat when there was no one around. She would run away from humans, and cower and growl, if people got too close to her. She was so terrified, she would almost fold herself into a ball and shake. It took a couple of weeks of decompressing before she would allow people to touch her at all, and even then, they had to look away, ignore her, and get down on her level so as not to scare her.

After 6 weeks, she is being slowly introduced to the other dogs in her foster home, but she is still nervous around them and growls because she’s scared.  She is learning to walk on a leash with the other dogs, so that she will realize that they are friendly. When she’s out in the house, she walks in circles, pacing nervously.  At the vet this week, she had to be muzzled because she was so fearful she snapped at the veterinarian and vet techs. Her foster parents have worked tirelessly to help her make baby steps of progress- she can now walk through the house with the other dogs, and will come sit next to her foster mom or dad to get gentle pets.  They do not force affection upon her, but wait for her to be ready and seek it out. Their gentle and calm demeanor is helping her to learn that people are safe and good. His foster mom says, “Whatever trauma occurred in her previous life, we will help her conquer. We just love her so much and can’t wait to see her transformation!”   Honey will be with the rescue for awhile longer while we help build her confidence with people and other dogs.  

Maxwell Wyatt came to CBR at the end of August, almost 8 weeks ago. He was found as part of a hoarding case, and spent four months at the shelter getting healthy enough (and putting on enough weight) to be rescued. As you can see from his transport photos, he was so terrified he tried to make himself invisible by crouching on the floor of the backseat of the car. Since he was probably confined much of his previous life, his safe spot was the crate and he spent most of his time there at first. He was afraid of even his foster mom at first, but he is slowly learning to trust her, and they are able to communicate with each other. His foster mom doesn’t think he’s ever lived in a home before, so she’s had to teach him about where to go potty. He quickly learned not to go in his crate, and learned how to go on washable pee pads on the floor outside his crate. His foster mom was very proud of this large step!

 He still occasionally has accidents, but you can’t blame him after knowing his past.  At first, because of his fear, he stayed close to the crate in the living room. At the end of the first week, a neighbor came over unexpectedly and knocked on the door. This terrified Maxwell Wyatt, and he ran through the kitchen, and shot out through the doggie door into the fenced yard. His foster mom had to catch him and carry him back into the house. She thinks he was so traumatized by the experience, he hasn’t ventured toward that end of the house again no matter how she tries to entice him. Although he is still very scared of people, he now comes within 4’ of his foster mom, and even walks by her toward the back door, so close that she can reach out and brush him with the back of her hand.  It makes her so happy that he is learning that humans are not bad. However, it can be very frustrating to have a dog you can’t touch, leash, and who refuses to come in with you when you have to go to work, or are ready to go to bed.

On the positive side, Maxwell Wyatt’s foster mom is encouraged by the way communication has developed between them! Maxwell Wyatt loves to go out and be out in the yard. He is also learning to have fun and play. He loves to run and chase his doggie sister, Layla, and does all he can to get her to run with him in the yard. He has started to “ask” his foster mom to run with him in the yard. He isn’t sure what to do with toys but does sniff at them and sometimes picks them up.   She says, “I will be so happy when this sweet boy finally lets me pet him, and get close to him! I know that day will come, but it may still be a long time. I will keep on showing him love, and encouraging him to be a happy dog!” Maxwell Wyatt will not be ready for adoption for some time, while we help him heal and recover from his previous life.

Thanks to fosters, volunteers, sponsors, and donors, we can continue to help dogs like Honey and Maxwell Wyatt.  We thank you all for your help and support!