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Monday, April 20, 2020

The Hachi Chronicle

Hachi adores playing with his sister in the snow. When we first met Hachi, he didn't love snow. That has changed.

The two of them are happiest wrestling in deep snow or sprinting at top speed through it. This past week, it was too much snow for easy wrestling except on our driveway, which is where they played as the storm ended.

I mentioned last week that we'd tried a higher dose of Paxil, and it made Hachi more jumpy and reactive. We immediately reduced it, and we saw some fairly fast improvement. But, I still have a niggling feeling that Hachi isn't back to normal. For example, he presently does not like his paws being handled, despite being seemingly fine with it a couple of weeks ago. He's less playful and he's just a little aloof with me. I hope that all is back to normal by next week.

I trust Shyla's judgement. She's such a sensitive girl that I feel sure that she wouldn't play so enthusiastically with Hachi if his behavior were worrying her. She hasn't shown any sign of that - her love of playing with him is the same.

When his attention wanders to other stuff in the forest, Shyla finds an object to lure him into chasing her. This was a big object! Her ploy worked. Soon he was chasing her.

The looks on their faces show how much fun they were having.
The journey of rehabbing a damaged and fearful dog is a wild ride. Now, when I see people walking dogs like Hachi, I feel gratitude for their commitment to their dog. Prior to Hachi, I honestly didn't understand the process of rehab like I do now.

Hachi is worth the wild ride. We love our boy.

20 comments:

  1. Hari Om
    He is, he will be, and you have us for company! YAM xx

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  2. Such fun together, looks like it might get a bit rough, but love prevails!!!

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  3. Lovely photos of the two of them together.
    I'm wondering, is the fact that Hachi doesn't like his paws being handled necessarily a bad sign? I only ask because neither Bertie not his predecessor Hamish the Westie ever liked having their paws handled, especially the front ones, and both of them are/were stable, calm dogs with no particular problems with anxiety or aggression.
    Cheers, Gail.

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  4. we had the opposite, nelly came from an area where they have always snow even in summer I bet... and now he refuses to go out when he sees 3 flakes on the ground LOL

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  5. We love that last picture of you and Shyla playing, Hachi! You have the bestest family ever!

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  6. i love seeing them playing and looking so beautiful covered in snow. the ups and downs of Hachi are interesting. you have got it though, keep doing what you are doing. i agree he is worth it

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  7. Oh sheer jubilation and joy is obvious. All 3 pups bring you and runner so much joy in their individual ways.
    Hugs Cecilia

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  8. What wonderful action shots. You're a whiz with the camera and your pups are awesome.

    Have a fabulous day and weekend. Scritches to the pups. ♥

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  9. Shyla and Hachi sure look like they are having a super fun time playing in the snow. Feet sensitivity seems to be a common issue with dogs. Our dogs get their feet wiped almost every time they go in the house if it is wet or muddy and are fairly compliant. Millie however will not let me clip her nails without becoming a HUGE drama queen and screaming like I'm cutting her foot off. Needless to say we now leave that job to the professionals.

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  10. Sister Shyla is such a pawsome therapy dog and just pawfect for a little brother who struggles with life anxiety. Love the imagines of the two of them rough-housing in the snow.

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  11. What joy! I'm glad that Shyla is so good with Hachi.

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  12. Shyla is your rehab partner for Hachi!

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  13. You have to live through to understand it. :) You are doing great.

    So glad for the bond Shyla and Hachi have.

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  14. Those medications can change so many things with such small adjustments. It can take a long time to find the right mix and dosage. At least Shyla and him hit it off so well.

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  15. And we bet there is no one anywhere who works as hard at that rehab AND is as successful. We hope this is a good week for Hachi and for you.

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  16. We do love seeing that happy face...actually, both sweet happy faces!

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  17. We hope you can find the right balance with Hachi. Like humans balance is essential.

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  18. Those photos are just fantastic. The two of them are having so much fun with the snow and each other! Times like that you know Hachi is worth the work.

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  19. It's so wonderful that you have Shyla to help you gauge how Hachi is doing as well. Hope he continues to improve. ♥
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  20. What a great pair they make
    hugs
    Mabel & Hilda

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