SHINGA
Shinga came from the same place Gracie came from. They were in separate kennels but next to one another. Julia and I will never forget the day we saw these 2 Bouviers. We had rescued many Bouviers before, but were not prepared for what we saw that day. Thinking we would drive and go have a look at the two dogs, try to assess them and home them. We had no immediate plan for a foster home.
On arriving at the place where the 2 Bouviers were kept we were led to some kennels. What we saw will forever stay in our memories. They both looked like some kind of felt rug. The smell of faeces was overpowering. We were horrified!
Shinga came from the same place Gracie came from. They were in separate kennels but next to one another. Julia and I will never forget the day we saw these 2 Bouviers. We had rescued many Bouviers before, but were not prepared for what we saw that day. Thinking we would drive and go have a look at the two dogs, try to assess them and home them. We had no immediate plan for a foster home.
On arriving at the place where the 2 Bouviers were kept we were led to some kennels. What we saw will forever stay in our memories. They both looked like some kind of felt rug. The smell of faeces was overpowering. We were horrified!
We decided to load both dogs and take them away right that min. We took them out of the kennels and walked them slowly to the Bouv wagon. They were so afraid. Once they were loaded and we started driving, I kept saying to Julia, "where are we going to take them?" We had no open foster home available.
It was very clear that these 2 dogs were traumatized and abused. We just did not know how badly until later. There was no way we could bathe them as the undercoat was like a 6 inch matted felt carpet.
We phoned a grooming parlour we knew and explained our predicament. We needed to get these babies clipped asap. What struck me most that day was how silent both dogs were. Not a sound from them. Even when we handled them they were so quiet. Void of any kind of emotion it was awful to witness, There was no response when you spoke to them, all they did was turn their heads away from us. We arrived at the groomer whom we had warned beforehand about the condition of both dogs. Was not possible to bathe them so we had to clip them right down to the skin.
Never once was there a whimper, growl or any kind of emotion. Total silence as we clipped them. With a team of 4 people 5 hours later they were free of their matted coats, and bathed.
Putting them into kennels was just not an option. So we decided to take them home to Julia. Bringing in rescue dogs like these also puts your own dogs at risk. There was no time to get them to a vet before we took them home. They were infested with worms we had no idea what other kind hidden illnesses, parasites or skin problems they had. Arriving at Julia's home late evening we separated them from the family dogs and tried to make them as comfortable as possible. Both dogs were clearly terrified and had never been on grass or in a home.
The next morning we took them into our vet. There they were checked, vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped, neutered and spayed. We had to make a decision which of the two would stay with Julia. Shinga seemed to be the more confident one, so we started searching for a very special home. A home with Bouvier people who understood the breed and would have the knowledge, time, patience and special care Shinga would need to rehabilitate. God put Judy and Rob Kloeck in our path and so Shinga was homed with two amazing people and their own Bouvier Ruby.
The next morning we took them into our vet. There they were checked, vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped, neutered and spayed. We had to make a decision which of the two would stay with Julia. Shinga seemed to be the more confident one, so we started searching for a very special home. A home with Bouvier people who understood the breed and would have the knowledge, time, patience and special care Shinga would need to rehabilitate. God put Judy and Rob Kloeck in our path and so Shinga was homed with two amazing people and their own Bouvier Ruby.
Shinga has been with Judy for almost a year now. I asked her to write about Shinga as a Bouvier lover and as a person of great knowledge of the breed. They have had Bouviers for generations. I know that her grandfather used to breed with Bouviers and brought one of the first Bouviers to South Africa from Belgium. Her article has very valid points if you are thinking of adopting. Specially a dog that has been abused. Judy and Rob thank you for adopting Shinga. There is no other home I know of in South Africa that would adopt a broken Bouvier like Shinga, Thank you for the time, effort, rehabilitation and love you give this special Bouvier.
THE MESSAGE
My message to anyone “adopting” a rescue animal who has been ill-treated, abused, tortured etc. is that they must realize there are many, many, many days, weeks, months and probably years of rehabilitation, love, attention, patience and continuous mentoring of their problems and trying to gain their trust - BUT - when you do get one little aspect right or the animal shows a little more confidence or trust it is very rewarding to see. I do not think their trauma ever goes away, certainly not in our case with Shinga, but hopefully he will come to feel safe and happy and gain some confidence with us in our family. He certainly is welcomed, loved, cared for and a great friend to Rob and I and of course Ruby.
I do believe Shinga will always be very cautious and mistrustful, but all things considered – from when he arrived to now he has made great strides. He never barked or made a sound for at least two weeks but now he accompanies Ruby to the fence or gate and they bark together.
He does not like anyone to make eye contact with him. He prefers that you walk in front of him and does not like anyone to be behind him. Sudden movements do cause him alarm and make him extremely skittish. He can be very fearful when you approach him.
Shinga has settled into his routine and I know he is happy, not as frightened and a little more comfortable in his surroundings – he does have his favourite place i.e. in the dining room and at night in our bedroom on his special bed. I do believe he is beginning to feel a measure of safety and love and care.
He runs and plays with Ruby, both of them initiating the contact and chasing each other round the garden, and he just loves “kossie time” - he is a wonderful eater. He appears to savour every mouthful – but once again, you have to place his bowl down and back away – he has never taken any food or treat out of my hand – I have to put it on the floor and turn away from him.
In his own time and on a day when he is feeling a little more confidant he likes to have cuddles and hugs – but only on his terms. We still have lots of times when he backs away and is mistrustful – but all in all, Shinga now comes inside on his own but only through the back door – he will not come in through the front door – perhaps because there are about 9 steps - but at least he comes in and runs to his place in the dining room or his bed in our bedroom.
He prefers that people do not look him in the eye and make eye contact – you need to walk by him and ignore him and he will then follow and allow you to stroke him – once you gain some trust he does enjoy you feeling him and rubbing his head. Definitely no sudden movements.
He has been to the vet three times for a limp on the right front leg – we are keeping our eye on this – the vet thinks he and Ruby may just have been too busy or too rough playing – if it continues I think they will have to X-ray – but we will see what happens.
When I arrive back at the house after being out or at work and he sees my car he gets so excited and runs and jumps all around – too sweet to see – always gives me such a welcome. This makes it all worthwhile – the eyes really show love, happiness and I think gratitude that you have returned and he has not been abandoned. Rest assured – Shinga has a lovely home, is loved and cherished. He has become very lovable on his terms of course and likes his special places and special treats. He certainly loves food time and comes to look for me at the right time – amazing hey!!!!!!!!!!!! He and Ruby have a good relationship but obviously she is still the dominant one.
We love him to bits and have seen changes and improvements but know there is still a long way to go – but as things are – he has changed and is definitely feeling loved and more comfortable.
JUDY KLOECK
I do believe Shinga will always be very cautious and mistrustful, but all things considered – from when he arrived to now he has made great strides. He never barked or made a sound for at least two weeks but now he accompanies Ruby to the fence or gate and they bark together.
He does not like anyone to make eye contact with him. He prefers that you walk in front of him and does not like anyone to be behind him. Sudden movements do cause him alarm and make him extremely skittish. He can be very fearful when you approach him.
Shinga has settled into his routine and I know he is happy, not as frightened and a little more comfortable in his surroundings – he does have his favourite place i.e. in the dining room and at night in our bedroom on his special bed. I do believe he is beginning to feel a measure of safety and love and care.
He runs and plays with Ruby, both of them initiating the contact and chasing each other round the garden, and he just loves “kossie time” - he is a wonderful eater. He appears to savour every mouthful – but once again, you have to place his bowl down and back away – he has never taken any food or treat out of my hand – I have to put it on the floor and turn away from him.
In his own time and on a day when he is feeling a little more confidant he likes to have cuddles and hugs – but only on his terms. We still have lots of times when he backs away and is mistrustful – but all in all, Shinga now comes inside on his own but only through the back door – he will not come in through the front door – perhaps because there are about 9 steps - but at least he comes in and runs to his place in the dining room or his bed in our bedroom.
He prefers that people do not look him in the eye and make eye contact – you need to walk by him and ignore him and he will then follow and allow you to stroke him – once you gain some trust he does enjoy you feeling him and rubbing his head. Definitely no sudden movements.
He has been to the vet three times for a limp on the right front leg – we are keeping our eye on this – the vet thinks he and Ruby may just have been too busy or too rough playing – if it continues I think they will have to X-ray – but we will see what happens.
When I arrive back at the house after being out or at work and he sees my car he gets so excited and runs and jumps all around – too sweet to see – always gives me such a welcome. This makes it all worthwhile – the eyes really show love, happiness and I think gratitude that you have returned and he has not been abandoned. Rest assured – Shinga has a lovely home, is loved and cherished. He has become very lovable on his terms of course and likes his special places and special treats. He certainly loves food time and comes to look for me at the right time – amazing hey!!!!!!!!!!!! He and Ruby have a good relationship but obviously she is still the dominant one.
We love him to bits and have seen changes and improvements but know there is still a long way to go – but as things are – he has changed and is definitely feeling loved and more comfortable.
JUDY KLOECK
BOUVIER RESCUE SA
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
ACCOUNT NO 62583513687
Current/cheque account
SWIFT CODE FIRNZAJJ
FNB - BRANCH CODE: 211217
or contact Sonja : [email protected]
083 260 2153
