Jenna sleeping with her head on a 'pillow.' Jade and Jenna are the Maremma puppies that came to the farm last winter. As it turns out, there were likely beaten and starved as young pups. When they were at the veterinarian's to be spayed, he said their age was at least 2 months older than I was told they were. Small for their breed and age then, it was suggested that they were not fed. I think they were fed, but the sheep ate the dog food leaving the pups to starve, so the pups ate grain and wool. They were like little wild things when they were here, scared to death of any human, especially men. Jenna still is and lately has been running from me too, even with food in my hands for her. The problem is that she is the low dog on the totem pole and last to eat, so if she doesn't eat when she is fed, chances are she won't get enough. With seven dogs at the farm, there is plenty to go around, but the old saying about a dog in a manger is some what true too. The other dogs will hoard the food and not allow her to have any if given a chance. Jenna barks a lot at night, which is what she is supposed to do, but she has not learned to discriminate and barks are any noise rather than real threats only. Her sister, Jade is the opposite, being dominant over Jenna and she is larger, but she has arthritis at a year old and walks with a limp sometimes. So does Harley, the 4 year old Maremma and he was not taken proper care of either. What gives with livestock guardian dog owners? Do they think these dogs will fend for themselves, do not need shelters and are impervious to bad diets? Grrrrrr!
Jenna likes to sleep with a "pillow". She is pretty cute and is the only dog on the farm that smiles, but she also cowers with her tail between her legs, even though it is wagging. Poor Jenna. I want to help her, to make it all better for her, to make her confident and trusting. I love her and will work on this. In the meantime, Robbie is not hard on Jenna and the two are friends, but Jenna isolates herself to sleep away from the pack. The other 4 adult dogs can often be found near their summer houses, snoring away. Robbie can often be found on top, never sitting still too long. Ah, those dogs are amazing!
Jenna likes to sleep with a "pillow". She is pretty cute and is the only dog on the farm that smiles, but she also cowers with her tail between her legs, even though it is wagging. Poor Jenna. I want to help her, to make it all better for her, to make her confident and trusting. I love her and will work on this. In the meantime, Robbie is not hard on Jenna and the two are friends, but Jenna isolates herself to sleep away from the pack. The other 4 adult dogs can often be found near their summer houses, snoring away. Robbie can often be found on top, never sitting still too long. Ah, those dogs are amazing!
Another 'pillow' for Jenna.
Robbie on top of his summer house.
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