Spirit of the Dog - Mitzis story

MITZI'S STORY

BY BERYL DOMINGUEZ

A Success Story

Mitzi was born in November 2003 and her first owners had to re-home her as they were made homeless. So at age 3 months Mitzi was passed onto some friends who had her for about 5 months. During this time she was violently treated. These people whipped, starved and beat her; they even stubbed cigarettes out on her head and body. They penned her in a tiny concrete back yard that was no bigger than a small balcony. They left her there in all her own excrement. It was believed that she received no exercise or training whatsoever. She had been labelled as hyperactive. Eventually she was passed to another lady who was very distressed about the treatment and conditions Mitzi was kept in.

This lady felt she could retrain and help Mitzi. Unfortunately this lady simply could not cope with this broken and terrified dog. Mistley Animal Sanctuary agreed to take Mitzi as they believed the dog would never make a suitable family pet.

I became involved as my sister sometimes assists at the animal sanctuary and she was asked to go and fetch Mitzi. I went with her and instantly fell in love with this pitiful looking dog. At the house before we left, Mitzi eventually crept cross the floor to smell me and allowed me to put a hand out to her. I felt she had chosen me. I obtained permission to take her home on a weeks trial, she has been with me ever since.

To cut a long story short I have been through a lot with Mitzi, she literally used to climb the walls and doors tearing wallpaper and even hitting her head against the conservatory roof. Mitzi would keep this behaviour up for hours.

Mitzi had no socialisation with other dogs and her early experience with some adults was only of cruelty. Mitzi will readily go to children but is still very unsure of adults she does not know. I have owned Mitzi for two years now, I have taken her to dog classes twice a week but she was not progressing within that environment. I was told that she would never be able to partake in a dog display.

I started training at Karma Dog Training approximately 5/6 weeks ago and she has settled much better at these classes. I am learning how to handle her and how to create a good bond with her. Mitzi appears much happier and is responding so well to her training. She is much less stressed and her behaviour at home is much calmer.

I want to thank Jane and Claudine for accepting Mitzi and myself into the club. The approach they are teaching me has a marked effect on Mitzi?s behaviour and she is becoming socialised around other dogs and different people.

I have even done an impromptu display at Thorpe Hall with the team and Mitzi performed very well.So look out Crufts, here we come.

The trainers wish to state that the improvement in Mitzi and in Beryl?s handling within this short space of time is very encouraging and that with continuing input at classes Mitzi will continue to gain confidence and will become a well trained, and contented dog, with Beryl a competent and knowledgeable handler.

After all she has been through, all the confusion, pain, distrust and absolute cruelty, this beautiful black and white bitch is still willing to put her trust in people. She has approached Jane and Claudine, which is something she would never previously do.

THIS TRULY IS THE SPIRIT OF THE DOG.