MEET TITIAN
Sometimes when a Border collie comes into rescue, the details of the dogs life largely disappear. Basic things that are important are missing. What was the dog eating, how much and when? Is he housetrained? Does he know the basic commands that every dog needs to know? What about vet records? What is this dogs name? What, dear dog, happened that you are here with us?
These are just interesting questions to many people, but for the rescuers, they make all the difference. When you look at these questions from a dogs view point, they make a huge difference. Have you ever walked through an animal shelter, heard the frantic barking of dogs who are calling out to their owners? Have you ever had the experience of seeing desperately worried dog keenly peering at you through his kennel dog with its chin quivering, hoping you are the one who will make everything safe and ok again? This is why I hate going to a shelter. My heart hurts to see their grief, their fear and the depression in their faces. God bless the brave souls that work there and the kind heart of those who adopt.
Im happy to say that Titian never had to go through a shelter experience. This does not mean he didnt experience worrying, fear, and grief. Let me tell you what little I know of his life before he came into our rescue organization. He was loved by his owner, and she took him out on walks with her. He loved her dearly and did his best to take care of her. There is a very short story of one such walk during the winter when the owner fell and broke her leg. Titian stayed right there with her until help finally arrived. I can picture Titian with his big furry coat keeping her warm. There was an additional comment: He seems to be waiting for something.
I know there were seven dogs living in the house when the woman died of a sudden blood clot, and Titian was eating dog chow. I knew that he was a big dog and that he needed a bath, and that he was used to sitting in the front seat of the car. I had four pictures of him. And that was all I knew until he came here. He has been here a week.Yes, is he a big dog and hes has a long body. Titian stands 26 tall at the withers. He is overweight, weighing in at 91.3 lbs. All that have met his describe him as a gentleman, gentle, quiet and friendly, patience, sweet-natured and loving.
His vet record only one page states that he is 10 years old.
I call him a gently giant. He moves gracefully and smiles a lot. He has been eating one cup of his dog chow per day which doesnt seem like much for a dog his size. Ive taken him to the vet for a thorough check over, and the two issues that I am addressing now is conjunctivis in his right eye, and a dewormer in his daily meal. Today will be his last day on the dewormer, and by the end of next week the bright pink color on the inside of his eyelid should be all better. I expect that once he is done with the dewormer, his appetite will return. He is on a diet, and I suspect his weight should be around 70 pounds.
These are the basic bits of information. Now let me tell you about this gentle giant. When he first met me, he probably thought I was just another person in the transport, and so he ignored me. Didnt even look at me. All during the ride home, he was quiet that I didnt know whether he was sleeping or not. When he met Jax and Sissy, he stood very still with his head up and let them check him out. I left him in the fenced backyard to get familiar with it, to stretch his legs out and take care of business.
Ordinarily when a male dog first comes into my house, Im right there, expecting the dog to sniff about, find a vertical surface and pee on it. Titan wandered through the house with interest but never lifted his leg, and he has not had an accident in the house to date. He refused his meal, which is not so unusual, and wouldnt eat until the following evening. Ive come to understand that he is probably used to eating once a day.
I did not take Titian out of our yard for the following two days, and his whole body told me that he was beginning to feel homesick. I hook the three dogs to leashes, and we went for a walk. Titian immediately threw a happy grin on his face, and his tail wagged during the entire walk. Ah, something familiar. His attitude changed, the blank expression of lost hope disappeared, and whenever he looks at me, he has a little smile on his face.
It took him three days to bond with me. He adores me. He follows me everywhere, keeping a polite distance so as to not get in the way. Although he has a big, thick dog bed to sleep on, he prefers to sleep on the rug at the foot of the bed. And he has decided that, perhaps like he did with his former owner, he needs to take care of me. Every morning he drops his head on my pillow, and gives me a poke on the shoulder to nudge me awake. That something that Titian seems to be waiting for? I think I know what it is. I think he wants to be needed again.
