Spettacolare Bracco Italiano
Fit for Function Gundogs - Bracchi Italiani and Working Cocker Spaniel
News:
Cara's Diary
17 June 2010
I can't believe it's over a week now since Cara came to live with us. She has proved to be a typical Bracco Italiano and just takes everything in her stride. This is truly amazing when you think of what she has endured in her short life.
When Cara came to live with us last Tuesday (8th June 2010) I really did think that I would have my work cut out for me with her rehabilitation. Sometimes its worse when you know where a rescue dog has come from because you can visualise what they have had to put up with while they were there.
Tuesday and Wednesday were her "settling in" days and I concentrated on the basic things - like getting her to the vet for a check up and starting her on a decent diet. I was feeding her little amounts every 4 hours - even through the night!!! I remember thinking that this must be what it's like to have a newborn baby!!! My heart goes out to new mothers!!! I walked around like a zombie for 3 days!!
When I felt that Cara had settled I then started to introduce "challenges" into her daily routine. The first day the trip to the vet was her challenge and then taking her for a walk. I had to be careful with walking her because she was so weak on her back-end. She had a bath on Wednesday night and it wasn't until that time that I realised just how thin this little girl was. It was like batheing a skeleton draped with skin. I could feel every rib, every bone; I could even feel her windpipe in her throat. I was so frightened that I would hurt her but she seemed to come through the experience well and boy did she smell better after that!!
Cara accepted each challenge and even fell asleep on my neighbour's sofa when I took her through to meet her. Temperament wise, Cara is fantastic and very laid back about most things, although she does tend to become very submissive without warning. Most of the submissive behaviours disappeared within 3 or 4 days with me. I think she knew I was a soft touch and she'd landed on her feet!!! LOL
Cara relaxing on the sofa in the Conservatory (excuse the mess!!)
To say Cara has adapted easily to the comfort of living in a home is an understatement. She adapted immediately!!! She loves lying around on the sofa in the conservatory until it gets too hot and she'll change venue for the sofa in the lounge. She has obviously never experienced the joys of television because the first time I switched the tv on she ran cowering out the room. I've worked on that though and she accepts it now. She loves her food and has already gained weight which confirms that her weight loss was due to starvation and not an underlying health problem.
She's been getting antibiotics for her chest infection together with drops for her ears and her eyes. Even within as short a time as one week I can see a huge difference. She's no longer coughing (mostly at night!) and she's stopped shaking her head. Her eyes are no longer infected.
Another transformation in a very short time is the condition of her coat. When she arrived her coat was in very bad condition and felt coarse - a bit like the texture of a German Wirehaired Pointer. Her bath, new diet and regular grooming has transformed her coat and she's now starting to "feel" like a Bracco when I give her a cuddle. Still a long way to go but it's great to see her starting to look better and obviously feeling better in herself too.
Stella and Cara have become firm friends. When we're out walking it's Stella and Cara that are chasing each other around the woods or fields. It makes me feel very humble to see this little dog having fun - perhaps for the first time in her life - and living the life she should be living.
Below are some photographs from her first week with us. They're not great but things have been very hectic.
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Friday 18th June 2010
Cara had her first walk in the forest today. It was such a lovely day that I decided it would be nice to walk in the forest in the shade. I normally visit the forest 3 or 4 times a week with the dogs for at least 2/3 hours but I didn't feel Cara would be up to it so had left going there for the last week. Cara certainly enjoyed the forest but she just couldn't keep up with Ruby and Stella but was happy to run back to me when it got too much. I took the car into the forest so that we didn't have too far to walk to the loch - where the dogs like to have a swim. True to form Cara is not a water baby either! She did have an accidental dip chasing a stick but quickly made her way back to the shore - and made sure she didn't get caught out again!!!
We only spent an hour there today but it was long enough for Cara. I normally never meet a soul but we met a group of joggers. Cara started barking at them and ran behind me for safety. I'm really pleased with that reaction as it shows she trusts me to keep her safe. The barking is something I've noticed over the last couple of days so I'll have to work on that. She's barking because she's unsure of the situation but a couple of days sitting on the village green with a clicker and a bag of cooked sausages will sort that out. I normally start at quite a distance away and slowly move closer to where there are people walking. Every time Cara takes no notice or wags her tail at a passerby she'll get a click and a treat. She'll slowly learn that when she sees people it's a good experience and the fear barking should stop.
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Saturday 19th June 2010
We had a major setback today on our walk. Two cyclists had stopped at one of the benches along the seafront. Cara walked up, tail wagging but barking! One of the cyclists had his back to her and when he turned round he was smallish, dark hair and glasses. She fell to the floor and crawled away from him. I was devastated. Her actions told me exactly what had been happening to her previously and I felt like crying! The guys were very good though and eventually they started feeding her bits of their sandwiches. She still wasn't fully trusting but at least we went on our way on a good experience. I think its going to be a long time before she lets the memories from her previous experiences fade - if ever!
Sunday 11th July 2010
Sorry about the delay in updating Cara's diary but things have been very hectic. Cara continues to improve and now weighs 24.4kg. She's starting to look like a Bracco Italiano instead of a Whippet and is becoming a real pet. She started coughing again so the vet thinks that the next step will be to have her chest cavity flushed out and cultures taken to ascertain exactly what antibiotics will work to clear this problem up completely. I have asked THE PERSON WHO PREVIOUSLY OWNED CARA FROM HARROGATE if I can be given the details of what was wrong with her previously but this has been refused.. If this person truly loved this little darling like I do, surely they would want the best for her now!! I can't understand it.
Cara's muscle mass is developing and she's starting to fill out. I don't think she'll ever reach her full potential because of her bad start in life but she's a happy little soul who seems to be slowly forgetting her previous life. She's truly won my heart with her gentle, kind and cheeky nature. She's so comical when she's counter surfing in the kitchen. It takes me all my time not to laugh. I have to say though that this is her only vice!! She still jumps up at me in the house but not on walks so that's positive. It's hard to believe she's only been here a little over a month. It feels like she's been here all her life. Here are some photographs of her enjoying life. You can see she is starting to gain weight. I'm so happy for her.
20th August 2010
I took Cara to the vet today to have her weighed. She is now just under 27kg and the perfect weight for her height and build. I am absolutely delighted! She was great with the vet and didn't seem as frightened as the last couple of visits. I think she's learned that we are all here to look after her!!
Another good thing is that Cara has come into season. This proves to me that her body is now working properly. She will be speyed before her next season. She's such a happy girl now and is beginning to trust. It will take time but I have high hopes for Cara and I know that she will be spoiled rotten for the rest of her days. She deserves that!!!
