RIPLEY - He's Home.

Ripley was originally named Chip by his former family. They wanted to rehome him because they said he was biting the children and being aggressive.

I offered to foster him until I could find him a home. The first few days he was here, I had no problems at all with him, but when someone I once knew (and who defined herself an animal rescuer) was here and bent down to pet him, he jumped and snapped at her. Sadly, her first words were, "He needs to be put down!"

I suppose the fact that she was sitting over him and went to pet him from over him, never occurred to her that it was not be the best move ... but that's another story.

We had a trainer come to my home to access Ripley and her conclusion was that he had been abused by children and would become fearful around them. She said he had resource guarding issues and should not be adopted to anyone with young children.

Anyway, the "rescue expert" found him a home in Virginia with a single woman who really tried very hard to bring Ripley around. She said she would be petting him and he would, out of the blue, snap at her. He was not what she expected and after one week, decided to give him back. I drove to Maryland, 1/2 way to meet her and took Ripley back home with me.

Over the next few weeks, I started working with him on his resource guarding and growling when he didn't get his way. Step by step, day by day, we would teach him, "drop it," "sit," and "come." Gradually, he would allow us to pet his head, touch his tail and take things out of his mouth. He really seemed to be relearning his whole life and re-trusting people. He has taken a particular like to my husband, Dennis and does the drills best with him.

Anyway, when the rescue and the website, started to split apart, I got a call that they found a home for Ripley. By that time, the trust had been shattered enough that I didn't believe they had his best interests in mind. So we called a family meeting and decided he was staying right here.

Ripley has now been here about 4 months and he is becoming the sweetest, most loving dog in my pack. He understands his commands now and enjoys his scratch behind his ears. He is still funny about rubbing his belly, but that will come with time. Now if he raises his lip, all we say is, "No growl" and he will stop and sit. He has not snapped in many, many weeks.

Since Ripley came here in the winter months, he was used to seeing our pool covered but over Memorial Day weekend, when we uncovered it, he has become a fascinated with water, dood. I teach every dog, each year how to get out and I left him until last to teach because I was not sure how he was going to take to it. I was quite surprised.

Ripley absolutely LOVES the water! The first thing I did was carried him into the pool, let him swim and I would push him toward the stairs. None of my other dogs will come back in after I show them out, but Ripley did ... over and over. And he wants to go in everyday. And he will jump in, even if I am not there. And he learned to climb up on a raft and float for an hour. And he thinks he is "hot stuff" being in the pool and none of the other doggies are.

Rippy is really a very sweet guy. He has come such a long way and I am very happy he has joined our family pack and he fits right in around here. He is just over a year old, so he still has his puppy exuberance and it is like he is finally learning to be that happy puppy that he should have been last year.

He is a part of the Family, now!

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Permalink Reply by Susan D. on July 22, 2010 at 3:58pm

OMG! Lynne, he is beautiful! What a wonderful story! He looks so happy! Congratulations! You truly have a heart of gold, girlfriend :)

AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on July 22, 2010 at 4:18pm

I am amazed at what a wonderful guy he is, at times. He is such a sweetie that I cannot believe the difference, sometimes. If anything is wrong with him, now, is that I can't keep him out of the darn pool. LOL

Permalink Reply by Susan D. on July 22, 2010 at 5:18pm

How funny! I know someone that has the same issue with the rescue they adopted. They can't keep him out of the pool! Not Marlow...he wants no part of the pool! Dogs are so much fun and provide so much laughter for us all. I love Ripley's color! You have done a wonderful job with him! So how many dogs at your house now? :)

AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on July 22, 2010 at 5:24pm

Susan, I have 5 of my own and Bella (foster). All rescued. That's 6 dogs! Only Rippers...out of 6 dogs...only Rippy HAS to be in the pool - ALL THE TIME!!!! LOL

He has a fleece coat and takes forever to dry, but he is so happy in there I think he's part fish. It has been a joyful summer so far, that's all I will say.

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