[HairOfTheDog]

Our new dog "Homer" is an interesting personality, I think we underestimated his depth at first... He has come to us as a lost stray at middle age... no history provided, only guessed at, we know someone used to cruelly pull his ears, because he worries about us handling them. He whines sometimes, and has a depth in his eyes that tells me he has seen something in life... much more complex than the unbridled optimism of my eternal puppy Gidget. When he's happy, he's happy all the way.... but sometimes he pauses a moment and sits, very upright, quietly looking far off, solemn and very regal, he looks very sad.

I have a friend who would say our Gidget has a 'young soul'. I think Homer is an old soul. I don't know all he's seen.

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[Joe 6-pack]

"...we know someone used to cruelly pull his ears, because he worries about us handling them."

Have you checked for infection; ear mites, etc?

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Congrats on your new family member! Homer is a great name for a dog of "depth". I thought pups were in your future (you said that last summer)...but you've got something more here.

[AnAmericanMother]

I was thinking the same thing about the ears. Poor Homer!

We have a horse at the barn who had very severe ear infections a long time ago - but he STILL doesn't like his ears handled. We have a special clip release on the left side of his headstall so that we can unclip the bit and let it drop out of his mouth. Then you unbuckle everything else and wait until he drops his head to signal that he's ready - then swiftly run your right hand under the reins and the top of the headstall and he backs out of the bridle. He has to do it on his terms.

I had to braid this boy for a hunt (for my daughter, she is learning how but her braids still look lumpy) - it literally took me two hours. Instead of braiding head to shoulders I braided him backwards, gradually working up towards his head. By the time I finally braided the last braid just behind his ears and his forelock, he was totally bored and had realized that I wasn't going to hurt him. Now he lets me scratch his head just behind his ears - I haven't tried scratching his ears yet because it would probably undo all my good work - but next time I braid him up I'll give it a go.

Have you tried gradually stroking around his ears and giving him his favorite treats at the same time? I wonder if he might not have had an episode like this horse - a bad infection that is gone but he still remembers the pain?

[potlatch]

So good of you to adopt Homer and he is lucky to have found you. I hate people who mistreat dogs, and dislike those who get a puppy then get rid of them after a year or so.

Hard for a dog to trust when he is suddenly given away or left somewhere. Thankfully dogs ARE trusting and he will lose that look in his eyes after awhile.