Quigley

Quigley joined our family in April of this year (2010) after surviving who knows how many months in the woods by himself.  When he came home he took up residence behind a chair and he stayed there for approximately 3 weeks.  He ate and drank water behind the chair and he would only go outside if his two brothers, Trevor (a Jack Russell) and Scooter (a miniature dachshund) went out first.  I went along after he got outside to try and relate to Quigley in an open space.  Quigley came out at night when everyone was asleep and discovered the huge Toy Bin that was located in the living room.  The next morning, when we woke up he had removed about 80% of the toys, and put the ones he really liked underneath him and displayed the others throughout the den.  He loves toys, especially bunnies.  He sleeps with a bunny, a fox, and a skunk.

Memorial Day week we took all of the boys on vacation to Tennessee, stopped half way to give them a break of being confined to the Van and also rest.  I obtained a mild sedative for Quigley to use during the trip to calm his nerves, but as it turned out he did not need it.  He loves riding in the car and looking out the window.  He was in the backseat of the Van with Trevor.  The only problem we had was he would not walk on a leash or go potty while we were traveling, nor when we stayed at our cabin.  Luckily, we had washable puppy pads and he used these pads the entire time we were gone.  Being confined in the Van with us forced Quigley to face his fears and begin the process of bonding with us.   He really came out of his shell. He seemed comfortable in the motels we stayed in and also the cabin we had for a week.  He started taking cheese from Bill’s hand and playing with his brothers and eating beside them.  He ran around the cabin playing with Trevor who is his “hero”.  Trevor has taught him the ropes as far as enjoying life, how to learn to trust, and play and sleep without being afraid.

Quigley does have PTSD from his experience in the woods. He does not like the wind, loud noises, or going outside when it is cold.  When he goes out he looks up to see if the leaves and branches on the trees are blowing, if they are he runs in the house.  His favorite past time is playing tug of war with Trevor and sitting on the back of the couch with his bunny looking out the picture window watching people, dogs, and vehicles go by.  When Quigley came home he only had a tiny squeak for a bark, but he learned fast that he could make a deeper sound and he has learned to howl like a beagle. 

Just recently I am glad to report that Quigley has become totally comfortable in his surroundings, he likes laying in our bed during the day when it is time for a nap and he comes and gets in the bed with me and Scooter.  He has to lay with my arm around him, his head laying on my arm or chest.  Quigley is very intelligent and seems to understand everything I say the first time.  He always wants to take one of his bunnies with him when he goes outside, but I tell him he has to leave bunny in the house and he lays it down and goes outside with his brothers.

Quigley has come so far in the short time he has joined our family, and he probably would not have been this far without Linda from HHK9 rescue.  Linda saw his potential at the pound, took him into the house to learn about life without being out in the elements of nature, with food and water readily available and other dogs to relate to. 

We are so glad that Quigley is our little boy and hope that he continues on his journey of learning to walk outside on a leash, to go potty while traveling, and be able to adjust to going to the Vet with other dogs and their human parents in the waiting room.  For now, when he goes to the Vet we wait in the car until it is his turn and then Bill carries him in through the side door so that he will not be subjected to allot of strangers all at once.  He is learning that it is ok to see the Veterinarian, and we always have one of two female Doctors which Quigley is learning to trust.  He will not walk to the back, the Vet must carry him.  Hopefully, with time that will change.  We want to take the boys to a Pet Photographer for Christmas pictures and hopefully Quigley will be ready.

He loves to get new toys and he has learned about “Pupperoni” treats which have become his favorite.  Thank you, Linda, for the opportunity to raise such an adorable little guy.

UPDATE 01/12/2011

Hi Linda,

Here are two more pictures of Quigley.  He is afraid of the flash so I haven't gotten many pictures of him.  Every time he sees me with the camera he runs around the corner. He is such a great little guy. He has two new toys, dragons. One that is pink and one that is blue and they are about 15 inches tall.  They are suppose to be able to stand up to anything they can do with a toy.  We will see!  He and Trevor play tug a war with the blue one.  The pink one Quigley sits it on the window ledge in the corner displaying it while he watches people walking, the squirrels, or whatever.  I was going to the doctor and saw him and the Dragon in the window. I had my camera with me so I got out of the van and went to take the picture. He jumped onto the couch taking dragon with him.  Apparently, his dragon does like the camera either.
 
I will send you more pictures of Quigley when I take them and keep you updated on his progress.  The only thing now is getting him to walk on a leash, go potty and be able to be around other people without shaking, drooling, and going potty.  The Vet said that will take time, to be extremely patient with him.  She is amazed at how far he has come, she said a dog that was in his environment usually takes years to come around, if ever.  I told her it was all thanks to you.  For seeing his potential and giving him the chance to show it.