For the Love of Timber the Dog
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Please donate! Timber's Story...
Nearly two months have passed since an old acquaintance reached out to me asking if I could help her rescue a dog from being euthanized. It is an all too familiar story. Couple gets a cute puppy from a pet store, over time dog develops issues, people send dog to trainer, couple doesn't follow through with training. Then they have a baby, dog gets neglected, issues become worse, and dog lashes out at owners. It was at this final stage that I was contacted.
The owners became convinced that his issues couldn't be helped and they had an appointment to have him put down. Having 2 rescues of our own, and a 3rd on the way, I knew from the beginning that adopting a 4th was not possible, but I knew I had to help. Within the first few visits, I formed a special bond with Timber. He was still a puppy after all, almost a year and a half old. I saw a sweetness in him and an eagerness to learn. He was so smart and would pick up things very quickly, but mostly he needed exercise and affection so I would drive over an hour just to take him hiking on the weekends.
He was often left alone in the garage or yard with very little interaction from his owners and had developed some resource guarding issues, typically around food. Meanwhile during each visit I found food in his bowl and bones and treats strewn across the ground, not a responsible scenario for a dog with these issues. All training had been through force with the use of prong and shock collars, to the extent that he developed a sensitivity around his neck. The owners would shock him when they didn't want him to do something, making him feel even more insecure. What this dog needed most was someone he could trust and it very quickly became my mission to save him.
I realized his time was running out since his owners had set a date to put him down. With no other immediate options, I convinced his owners to surrender him to me. However with our own dogs at home, we had nowhere to take him so I contacted a local dog hotel to take him in and have been paying to board him until we could figure out what's next.
Days, weeks and now months have become a blur and physically I'm wiped out. As the cost of boarding, training and caring for him rises, so does our concern for how this situation is going to pan out. My girlfriend Maris has been reaching out to numerous rescues and shelters to find a foster home for him while we can continue his training and socialization. Often our inquiries go unanswered or they tell us they are at full capacity. Occasionally someone says they will help or know someone that could, but we never seem to hear back. We have also paid for training to ensure his behavior doesn't prevent him from being adopted. I'm very happy to say that his issues have improved dramatically in our short time together, with structure and exercise he has really excelled.
Ultimately he needs a loving home with someone who is patient and kind and can continue his training as we have done so for him. We are raising money for his continued boarding and training with the hope that a potential foster or rescue organization can take him in. I knew from the first time I met him that I was going to help him, but more than anything this beautiful dog deserves a second chance and a new beginning.
My name is Anna, and I am posting this for Paul & Maris, who are his foster parents. He is in North Jersey, UTD on all vaccinations, neutered, healthy, DOB 7/26/16. We feel he should be adopted or fostered by someone with no other pets and no children. That could change in the future . He is learning to trust others and becoming more confident everyday. Any donation is greatly appreciated❤❤❤
Nearly two months have passed since an old acquaintance reached out to me asking if I could help her rescue a dog from being euthanized. It is an all too familiar story. Couple gets a cute puppy from a pet store, over time dog develops issues, people send dog to trainer, couple doesn't follow through with training. Then they have a baby, dog gets neglected, issues become worse, and dog lashes out at owners. It was at this final stage that I was contacted.
The owners became convinced that his issues couldn't be helped and they had an appointment to have him put down. Having 2 rescues of our own, and a 3rd on the way, I knew from the beginning that adopting a 4th was not possible, but I knew I had to help. Within the first few visits, I formed a special bond with Timber. He was still a puppy after all, almost a year and a half old. I saw a sweetness in him and an eagerness to learn. He was so smart and would pick up things very quickly, but mostly he needed exercise and affection so I would drive over an hour just to take him hiking on the weekends.
He was often left alone in the garage or yard with very little interaction from his owners and had developed some resource guarding issues, typically around food. Meanwhile during each visit I found food in his bowl and bones and treats strewn across the ground, not a responsible scenario for a dog with these issues. All training had been through force with the use of prong and shock collars, to the extent that he developed a sensitivity around his neck. The owners would shock him when they didn't want him to do something, making him feel even more insecure. What this dog needed most was someone he could trust and it very quickly became my mission to save him.
I realized his time was running out since his owners had set a date to put him down. With no other immediate options, I convinced his owners to surrender him to me. However with our own dogs at home, we had nowhere to take him so I contacted a local dog hotel to take him in and have been paying to board him until we could figure out what's next.
Days, weeks and now months have become a blur and physically I'm wiped out. As the cost of boarding, training and caring for him rises, so does our concern for how this situation is going to pan out. My girlfriend Maris has been reaching out to numerous rescues and shelters to find a foster home for him while we can continue his training and socialization. Often our inquiries go unanswered or they tell us they are at full capacity. Occasionally someone says they will help or know someone that could, but we never seem to hear back. We have also paid for training to ensure his behavior doesn't prevent him from being adopted. I'm very happy to say that his issues have improved dramatically in our short time together, with structure and exercise he has really excelled.
Ultimately he needs a loving home with someone who is patient and kind and can continue his training as we have done so for him. We are raising money for his continued boarding and training with the hope that a potential foster or rescue organization can take him in. I knew from the first time I met him that I was going to help him, but more than anything this beautiful dog deserves a second chance and a new beginning.
My name is Anna, and I am posting this for Paul & Maris, who are his foster parents. He is in North Jersey, UTD on all vaccinations, neutered, healthy, DOB 7/26/16. We feel he should be adopted or fostered by someone with no other pets and no children. That could change in the future . He is learning to trust others and becoming more confident everyday. Any donation is greatly appreciated❤❤❤
Organizer and beneficiary
Anna Salva
Organizer
Fairfield, NJ
Paul Digangi
Beneficiary
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