I have taken on a beatiful Affie boy (approx 8 years old) named Ralph.  This poor boy ended up at affie rescue and my friend fostered him for a while before approaching me to ask if my partner and I - and probably most importantly - Princess Lana would take him on.  He is a very quiet boy and I hope that one day he will learn to express who he truly is instead of just being a dog with sad eyes and a tail clamped to his belly :(  He has been with us for two days and he is improving I'm sure!  He is nervous and jumpy and when you go to stroke him he thinks your going to hit him I'm sure...He flinched and dropped to the floor once when my OH went to stroke him but he is now taking the odd treat from him (who he doesn't seem to trust as much as me)  If you stop cuddling him he paws at you to keep going :)  He is a special Ralphy and I hope he settles in real soon with us....It aint gonna be easy but he will want for nothing with us and he certainly wont get hit.

How I love a sad story that has a happy ending. I wish you and your OH all the very best with him adn give him an extra hug  from me tonight.

Margaret

Good luck :-) he sounds like a special boy

Good luck with him, he sounds like he's had a rough time. At least he's got someone to love him now.

He sounds like he has found his home from home a place to call his own with people and a Princess to show him what life is like as a dog in a happy home.

I love to hear of a dog getting a second chance :) Best of luck with your new addition and may he have many long and happy years in his new home :)

Oh that is just fantastic!!!!!!!!!
When he is settled i would love to see him, why not bring him racing?
We all went today to Warwick..Delilah won her two races as usual, and Zorro jumped in the pond again!
Cathy :D

Ahhh the pond :D :D  This weekend Cath, I have really had to put a brave face on it all - Its so sad to see such a grand animal look so sad and empty.  I'm sure I am seeing more confidence but he is so jumpy and nervous at times.  I hope that one day we will see his true personality?  One day soon he will make his grand appearance I'm sure ;)
Good to hear from you,
Sarah :)

All the best to you all, its lovely to hear of a happy ending for a poor abused animal.

I volunteer at an animals shelter.  First I have to say great for you for adopting a dog.  These things really do take time.  I am absolutly positive that he will come around.  It may not be as soon as you want it to be.  My friends dog took months to warm up to her husband and now she will not leave him alone.  He has to learn to trust you.  He's probably had a rough life.  Just take it slow and for the first few weeks be calm around him and let him get use to his surroundings.  Once he knows that he has finally found a home and is safe he will begin to relax and become less fearful.  Just give it time.

My previous dog was a 4 year old rescue and he was the best part of my life for 8 years. I had problems with him at first, but once he knows that you are not going to hurt him and give him love and affection, he will be fine. Unfortunately with rescue dogs, you don't know their past history and he may have been abused and thats why he is scared of a hand coming towards him.
Lots of luck.

Thank you all for your supportive and positive comments.  He seems alot braver today and is coming up to us for a cuddle without looking so worried!
I will give him all the time he needs - He will have a good life here.
Sarah :)