We have many different special needs animals here at Storybook Farm and for the most part there so called *disability* is fairly obvious but it is often the case that the animal who scars you cannot see has had the most harm/damage done. Mahoney is one such soul. I picked Mahoney up when he was 10 weeks old & by then the damage was done, to say his initial upbringing/home was brutal is an understatement & I am unable to share the details. It has taken over a year of gentle handling & forming a little pack of his own ( Patrick & Amy-Belle) to bring this gentle soul out of his shell. When he first arrived Mahoney would be in the lounge with Patrick but when I stood up, for example, to go & make a cup of tea he would throw himself to the floor,squeal & urinate in fear, that is the level of trauma we were dealing with. Heartbreaking to watch what should have been a lively puppy trembling in fear. I treat everyone animal on this farm as an individual there is not one across the board treatment for any of them it takes time to assess their individual needs & personality & in Mahoneys case I found he was Ferdinand The Bull, ( Ferdinand the bull story for those that do not know of it here;booktopia.au/the-story-of-ferdinand-munro-leaf/prod9780448456942.html?source=pla&gclid=CPvh2KCejcMCFYsrvQodCrsAkQ) Mahoney just loved to sit & smell the flowers & everyday I would find this little puppy laying on our front lawn watching the tiny Wrens & Finches that live in the trees for hours on end ( Butterflies too) it was his way of healing, just to be able to sit in the knowledge that no-one was coming to harm him ever again. No fancy medications just time, good food/nutrician, good friends,peace & quiet & lots of cuddles was what Mahoney needed the most. I have had to do certain confidence training with him as nervous dogs can become dangerous if not trained carefully,but we have a bond of trust and he learnt quickly. Today when Patrick & Amy charge off each morning down to the dam for their daily swim ( no matter what the weather ) Mahoney/Ferdinand stays behind & just sits quietly watching over the farm until they return. It has taken many many gentle cuddles & quiet walks to bring this boy back but he now enjoys a trip to the city,cappuccino foam & meeting new people ( so long as we are with him!) he knows we have got his back.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 01:11:12 +0000
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