Oliver aka Kenny
"New Beginnings" - Stories About Saved NYC Shelter AnimalsI adopted Kenny (now known as Oliver) on 8/25/16 from the Manhattan ACC. He came in as a stray after being shot in the face with a tranquilizer dart. Despite that injury, he was the sweetest boy and his notes from the shelter indicate that he was a volunteer favorite in the short time that he was there. When I met him, I instantly knew that he was the one. He will look at you so intently and cock his head to the side trying to understand everything you’re saying and thinking.
The first few days after bringing Oliver home were not easy. I don’t have a cute “freedom picture” of him smiling in my car after leaving the ACC because he was shaking and silent in the backseat, terrified and trying to make himself as small as possible. He developed what was initially thought to be severe kennel cough the day after he got home. When the illness continued to get worse, he was treated aggressively with a mix of two different antibiotics/painkillers/anti-nausea meds and he finally started to feel better after about 10 days. It’s still unclear what he had- different vets have suggested fungal pneumonia, parainfluenza, and other infections/viruses.
When he first came home, he was too scared to move. He would freeze for hours at a time in the same position– standing in a corner or immobilized during a walk. My little boy is covered in scars, flinches at the slightest unexpected movement, is scared of men and brooms and loud noises, and will injure himself trying to find me if I leave the room or the house even for a minute. He’s getting better every day but it hasn’t been easy. We’re in the process of working on his separation anxiety but he’s the real victim here. He was clearly somebody’s pet at one point– he knows basic commands, is potty trained, and very respectful in a home. Despite this, someone dumped this sweet boy in the Bronx and left him to fend for himself. It’s no wonder he’s so distraught when he’s alone.
Words can’t even express how much I love him. He’s so devoted and trusting. He would follow me to the end of the earth. When he gets scared he’ll look at me to see if I think it’s okay and if I reassure him, he’ll be bold enough to slowly explore the thing that scared him. He’s really flourishing and transforming from a timid, anxious dog into the playful, goofy, carefree pup he was always supposed to be. It seemed like when Oliver first came home, he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. Now that he sees he doesn’t have to worry about anything anymore, he’s gets more wiggly with each and every day.
If you are second guessing your decision to bring home a rescue pup from the NYC ACC or anywhere else, I hope this is enough to sway you: He makes my life better every single day that he’s in it.
View all entries in: NB Dogs By Month | NB for Dogs 2016-08