Baz was a rescue dog, aged 10 years when we first got him from a shelter at Darlington, he is often loving, intelligent and joyous dog but stricken with phases of extreme anxiety and what looks like depression. He backs himself into corners where he cannot be disturbed, freezing into an attitude of non-engagement and sometimes defensiveness. In public, this is overt fear that makes him fearfully defensive if coaxed or approached by strangers. Heavens knows where that behaviour comes from. Unlike any dog we have ever had he needs his space.
But he is an older fella with experience in him he can never tell us about. We have to just love him through it all, guarding his safety and those of others, when the moods strike. We have trouble getting him to accept food when he is low, his whole body showing profound resistance to any engagement. Encouragement works less well than letting him ride the mood and come to us when ready, sometimes needing closeness to us.
Uniquely Baz to us., we love him.
And on his walks he is alert and happy – especially doing rolly-pollies.
With love
Steven xxxxxxxx
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