Freya Frog Legs Doggie Rehab
Donation protected
Friends, Family, Rescue Friends, Community at Large…
I am going to tell you something that I have a really hard time admitting. Here it is: I could really use a little help and support. OK, whew, I got that off my chest, now let me tell you my story.
We partner a lot with some of the most amazing dog rescuers I have ever had the privilege to meet. In summer of last year one of them put out a call for help for this sweet, timid, little black dog that had been dumped at a dog park. She had just had puppies not too long ago but they were nowhere to be found. She was heartworm positive and had a uterine infection. She was skinny and scarred. Our friend needed a foster for a short time in the hopes we could get this dog into a rescue. We had two dogs already (Desi and Ben) but felt like we could help. We offered to foster. It took us just a couple of weeks to fall in love with this dog completely, especially my husband who totally bonded with her, and we foster failed. Freya Frog Legs officially became the newest member of our family.
From the get go Freya had more energy and was more intense than our other dogs. She patrolled. She barked at her reflection. She was food aggressive. She was often on high alert. We became vigilant around meal time and around other dogs she didn’t know. Meet and greets weren’t easy. We stopped fostering. We worked with her on training and establishing a pack order. We did all of the things that we have done before and had success with, but it just wasn’t as successful as we hoped. Then one day we dropped our guard and the unthinkable happened. At mealtime Freya attacked Desi and drew blood. We had to go to the ER and get her patched up. It took her weeks to heal. It was bad, but we were sure we could explain why it happened and avoid it ever happening again. But then, two months later, Freya attacked Desi again right in front of us. There was no food present, it was completely unprovoked. This time was worse. Freya missed a key artery by a fraction of an inch. Desi’s recovery was longer, there were more stitches. And now, everyone in the house is constantly walking on eggshells, especially Desi. When will it happen again? What do we do now? We stopped letting people bring their dogs over at all. We stopped trying to pick up dogs on the street because the situation at home was so unpredictable. And honestly, not being able to be an active part of our dog and rescue community makes us sad. We miss it.
I’ll be honest, we thought about giving up on Freya. But that thought left a huge hole in our hearts. We thought about finding her another home without pets, but what if that aggression towards dogs then switched to people? No, this is our dog, our family member. She's loving and silly and a total cuddle bug when she's not in intense mode. She belongs with us. We’re not giving up on her. But we also can’t go on like this. So I started asking around the rescue community. Who can help us sort this out? We immediately were referred to The Texas Dogfather but were given the heads up his program can be costly but is worth it. We talked with a couple other behaviorists and they all would work with us but said that what we really needed with this type of aggression is The Texas Dogfather. It was almost like he had a cult of followers. So we set up an appointment with him and immediately we understood. After our first conversation with him I was in relieved tears and I could see my husband visibly relax. Then he came to meet with us, in our home, and we were blown away. This was the right move, the right answer. He is recommending that Freya spend the month with him in full immersion at his facility, the last two weeks of which will include visits from Desi and us (we need training too if this is going to work). He’s even given us hope that when we’re done Freya will be able to successfully interact with other dogs and we can foster again. I can’t tell you how good that sounds to us. He has a spot open and reserved for Freya beginning March 20, and the cost is $1650.
We want to make this happen, but we keep a tight budget and it has been stretched with ER and doctor’s visits for Desi. We know this is the right answer, and we’re willing to spend the money if we need to, but I am really hoping that it might be able to happen with community support. Is there a chance that you feel a connection to our story, and would be willing to contribute to Freya’s rehabilitation? Anything you feel compelled to contribute will help and is greatly appreciated. If you cannot contribute financially but are willing to share our story that’s great too. If you are only able to send good wishes our way then trust me, we’ll take it. Thank you for reading. Thank you for considering. Thank you for extending a hand in whatever way feels right for you.
Lots of love and sloppy dog kisses,
Allison, Jonathan, Chloebear, Princess Desi, Handsome Ben, and Freya Frog Legs
PS: Please note that anything contributed beyond the $1650 will go first to medical treatment for Miss Honey, and second to my favorite rescue Animal Justice League. I will post updates with receipts so you can be confident in your donation. And finally, again, thank you.
I am going to tell you something that I have a really hard time admitting. Here it is: I could really use a little help and support. OK, whew, I got that off my chest, now let me tell you my story.
We partner a lot with some of the most amazing dog rescuers I have ever had the privilege to meet. In summer of last year one of them put out a call for help for this sweet, timid, little black dog that had been dumped at a dog park. She had just had puppies not too long ago but they were nowhere to be found. She was heartworm positive and had a uterine infection. She was skinny and scarred. Our friend needed a foster for a short time in the hopes we could get this dog into a rescue. We had two dogs already (Desi and Ben) but felt like we could help. We offered to foster. It took us just a couple of weeks to fall in love with this dog completely, especially my husband who totally bonded with her, and we foster failed. Freya Frog Legs officially became the newest member of our family.
From the get go Freya had more energy and was more intense than our other dogs. She patrolled. She barked at her reflection. She was food aggressive. She was often on high alert. We became vigilant around meal time and around other dogs she didn’t know. Meet and greets weren’t easy. We stopped fostering. We worked with her on training and establishing a pack order. We did all of the things that we have done before and had success with, but it just wasn’t as successful as we hoped. Then one day we dropped our guard and the unthinkable happened. At mealtime Freya attacked Desi and drew blood. We had to go to the ER and get her patched up. It took her weeks to heal. It was bad, but we were sure we could explain why it happened and avoid it ever happening again. But then, two months later, Freya attacked Desi again right in front of us. There was no food present, it was completely unprovoked. This time was worse. Freya missed a key artery by a fraction of an inch. Desi’s recovery was longer, there were more stitches. And now, everyone in the house is constantly walking on eggshells, especially Desi. When will it happen again? What do we do now? We stopped letting people bring their dogs over at all. We stopped trying to pick up dogs on the street because the situation at home was so unpredictable. And honestly, not being able to be an active part of our dog and rescue community makes us sad. We miss it.
I’ll be honest, we thought about giving up on Freya. But that thought left a huge hole in our hearts. We thought about finding her another home without pets, but what if that aggression towards dogs then switched to people? No, this is our dog, our family member. She's loving and silly and a total cuddle bug when she's not in intense mode. She belongs with us. We’re not giving up on her. But we also can’t go on like this. So I started asking around the rescue community. Who can help us sort this out? We immediately were referred to The Texas Dogfather but were given the heads up his program can be costly but is worth it. We talked with a couple other behaviorists and they all would work with us but said that what we really needed with this type of aggression is The Texas Dogfather. It was almost like he had a cult of followers. So we set up an appointment with him and immediately we understood. After our first conversation with him I was in relieved tears and I could see my husband visibly relax. Then he came to meet with us, in our home, and we were blown away. This was the right move, the right answer. He is recommending that Freya spend the month with him in full immersion at his facility, the last two weeks of which will include visits from Desi and us (we need training too if this is going to work). He’s even given us hope that when we’re done Freya will be able to successfully interact with other dogs and we can foster again. I can’t tell you how good that sounds to us. He has a spot open and reserved for Freya beginning March 20, and the cost is $1650.
We want to make this happen, but we keep a tight budget and it has been stretched with ER and doctor’s visits for Desi. We know this is the right answer, and we’re willing to spend the money if we need to, but I am really hoping that it might be able to happen with community support. Is there a chance that you feel a connection to our story, and would be willing to contribute to Freya’s rehabilitation? Anything you feel compelled to contribute will help and is greatly appreciated. If you cannot contribute financially but are willing to share our story that’s great too. If you are only able to send good wishes our way then trust me, we’ll take it. Thank you for reading. Thank you for considering. Thank you for extending a hand in whatever way feels right for you.
Lots of love and sloppy dog kisses,
Allison, Jonathan, Chloebear, Princess Desi, Handsome Ben, and Freya Frog Legs
PS: Please note that anything contributed beyond the $1650 will go first to medical treatment for Miss Honey, and second to my favorite rescue Animal Justice League. I will post updates with receipts so you can be confident in your donation. And finally, again, thank you.
Organizer
Allison Tignor
Organizer
Galena Park, TX