Hope, not expectations

This is the face of Hope.  She was one of the hoarder shepherds from the white trash Fluvanna County bitch.  (See multiple posts starting at the beginning of March, 2011, for the sordid backstory.)

Her original name, I believe, was Lilly.  She was painfully shy, fearful, and totally withdrawn, shunning all human contact.  I think she was the one that I had to drag out of a dog house when I needed to get her for anything. 

Her adopters took her home, got her healthy, and let her be herself.  She is still quite shy, but she is very much a part of household, keeping an eye on everything and everyone, and occasionally seeking out some human contact.  They took her home with a lot of hope, but not any specific expectations.  They didn't know for sure what she would become, when or to what extent she would recover.  They also didn't hold her to any expectations.

We have had people adopt and return dogs saying (I kid you not), "this dog didn't live up to my expectations."  Those are invariably people who weren't willing to put any effort of their own into the dog.  It is refreshing, and reassuring, to meet folks like Hope's adopters, who gave her a home with hope and love, without requiring her to fulfill their canine fantasy.  In most cases, the rescue effort doesn't end with the foster home; we are really just the beginning.  The person who adopts a dog "as is" and builds a life for that dog, working through whatever comes along is the real rescurer.

And speaking of expectations, I never expected to see Woody (now Krypto), with even one erect, shepherd-like ear.  Apparently his ears are in the up and down stage, one seems to be mostly up at this point and the other is mostly down.  Which way they will go, or if they will both go the same way, is anyone's guess. 

His adopter reports that he is doing well with walking on a leash and some basic commands and is almost there with the house training.  He spent a couple weeks longer at my house than Laila did, and learned nothing except how cute he is, so he's doing well after only a couple weeks in his new home. 

He clearly adores and idolizes his big brother, Rommel.

Having hope but no particular expectations is probably a good philosophy for rescue work generally. 

The folks who met Nero and were interested in trying him out this weekend decided against it, citing concerns about his still unresolved health issues.  I think it's just as well because they have a cat. 

On a positive note, he is putting on some weight now and is generally looking better.  The new food seems to be agreeing with him.  He still has a few crusty things on his face that haven't healed entirely.  I think we will go back to the vet next week to look at those and talk about what to do about his tail.  He's coming along and when he is ready, he will be an awesome dog for the right home.

We've been out hiking the past two days and we are both really enjoying it.  The final pic below is the Rivanna river from the high bluffs along the trail.