Skipper - still anxious - and no wonder

Lesley · Guru

Skipper - still anxious - and no wonder

Amanda · Master

Poor Skipper what a lot he's been through

At least he is very well looked after now and I'm sure in time he will get better. We have had Blue nearly 2 years and he still shys away from some men but on the whole is a lot beter.

Hope he finds his forever home soon although I know it will be hard for you to see him go

Lesley · Guru

Sim was scared of everything when we adopted him and, like Blue, is still anxious about some unknown men, but he is now mostly a big bouncey, happy, waggy boy. Skipper is not keen on strangers of any description and I did wonder why it was taking him so much longer than Sim to unwind.

I had Skipper at the Blue Peter Bark in the Park on Sunday and he was great - stoically putting up with all the attention and cuddles that were loaded on him by adults and children alike.

max · Enlightened One

Poor Skipper, if only they could talk ? Nora

Gail · Big Cheese

I agree with you Nora, god only knows the horror stories they could tell

My latest arrival nearly jumped out his skin when i dropped something in the kitchen today then cowered in the corner too frightened to come near me or even look at me. It was like he was terrified he was going to be blamed for it. It took a lot of cuddles for him to be back to his waggy tailed self but strange thing is he seems to trust me more since that and has been following me about for more hugs the rest of the day

Teresa · Enlightened One

poor poor baby

many hugs and love to him

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Hi Lesley

Poor Skipper - as if being poisoned wasn't enough, he's also been burnt with cigarettes! The calculated cruelty of some people is truly disgusting.

Skipper is a lovely boy and he's very lucky to be in such a good foster home with you. Hopefully through time, his anxiousness will get better. Give him a big hug from me and Vegas.

Christine

Lesley · Guru

I'm sure it will Christine - he is fine with those he meets regularly, but you can see his reluctance to approach anyone new!

I could be wrong about cigarette burns, but the round scars combined with his fear of matches seem to paint an ugly picture.

FAJ · Enlightened One

It bluddy well beggars belief doesn't it? How anyone could reach out their hand and deliberately burn a poor helpless creature. I can't think of it without tears welling up. Thank god Skipper is safe now.

Rosiegirl · Rookie

I feel the same emotion when I hear these stories and I think we have been quite sheltered from a lot of horror stories. Our Rosie came from the RSPCA in Stubbington, near Southampton but thankfully she had not been treated badly and is very trusting - we are very priviledged. Its heartbreaking and its hard to believe how cruel people can be. Thank goodness Skipper is in safe and loving hands now.

Vicki · Old Hand

Oh wow, poor boy.

My own dog is scared of smokers too, in fact she pulled me off the pavement into rush hour traffic once cos someone was smoking at a bus stop we were walking past.

Walking sticks, umbrellas, crutches all terrify her, and any men who smoke or smell of alcohol..

I don't know if my Sky was ever burnt, but she definitely associates the smell with something traumatic, and has definitely been beaten, she used to cower if anyone even stretched their arms upward.

Good luck with Skipper. xxx