Alvin

Alvin
Alvin sticks out his tongue when he is nervous

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

You All Saw This One Coming

I know, I know, you all knew this post was eventually coming and I was the only one that was clueless.  After reading a lot more about autistic type behavior in dogs, I have decided that it would be cruel to make Alvin go to a new home, with a new person.  All of the literature kept emphasizing the importance of not changing the dog's home and/or owner.  It all said to try to keep everything in the house in the same place and that just isn't ever going to happen here but I realized that I could prevent him from having to go through something as scary and confusing as a new house and a stranger as an owner.  So, I wrote to Camp Cocker and said that I would like to keep him..........I can hear your cheers from here.

When he first came here, he ran in a large circle all night long and cried like a puppy all night.  He didn't sleep for three days and was just a mess.  His former foster mom and I had no way of knowing what his issues were and how he would react to leaving her home, but it wasn't good.  I can't bear to make him go through that again.  He had no way of knowing that his time here was supposed to be temporary and making him leave here feels like I would be betraying all the trust he has put in me.  He wouldn't understand and with his world already being confusing, for me of all people to add to that would break my heart. 

I was very hesitant to consider keeping him because he wasn't my idea of the dog that I wanted.  I wanted a dog that would let me hold him/her like a baby and cuddle on the couch with me.  Alvin is never going to be that dog but I realized that I deeply love Alvin and he makes me laugh all the time.  He is also the most gentle and purest soul I have ever known.  I said at the beginning of this journey that I was certain that Alvin would teach me far more than I could teach him and he certainly has.  He has taught me a great deal about courage, not giving up, and that trust has to be earned.  He has also taught me that sometimes it's a blessing when you don't get what you thought you wanted.  This morning when I woke up to hot breath on my neck and looked down to see a sleeping Alvin lying across my chest with his face nuzzled in my neck, I realized that he is perfectly imperfect and he's perfect for me.  I am blessed.

I will write an update soon about how Alvin is doing.  I am convinced that Victoria Stilwell is magic and that just writing to her results in her waving a magic wand and heals dogs from afar.  Either that, or it helped for me to go back to the basics and by incorporating a couple new things, Alvin appears to be responding very well!  There have been no miracles because just tonight I called him, he ran right passed me, headed away from me, and started looking outside for me.  We're emphasizing progress, not perfection.

15 comments:

  1. Congratulations , Janet . I can understand why you needed time to consider this important commitment .
    As far as Alvin not being the dog you envisioned , I know that sometimes life ( or fate ) makes the choice , not us . I love the fact that your selflessness makes the choice to spare Alvin more pain and confusion .
    Given more time < Alvin may surprise you .

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you! There are a lot of pluses to Alvin. He doesn't bark, he doesn't have separation anxiety, he is dog and cat friendly, and he's hilarious! He always keeps me guessing and it is probably fitting he is with a social worker because I am very interested in his "issues" and luckily, he doesn't seem to notice mine.

    ReplyDelete
  3. tears of joy for this news!!! congrats! hugs to you, Alvin, Stevie, Maddie & Mom too!!!

    margaret

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your sweet reply, Margaret! I will let the whole gang know!

      Delete
  4. That's brought me to tears too - what a wonderful happy ending for Alvin and for you! He has improved so much by your love and care, that I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't get him more and more cuddly. I'm so glad we will still get the blog as well, I just love reading it!
    LucyD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lucy! Alvin had a couple of very off days right after I decided he would stay here and I accused him of being disappointed that he wasn't getting a nice beach house or a house in Beverly Hills. I suspects that he thinks he could do better. : )

      Delete
  5. This is such wonderful news. I too love little Alvin and have always known that he is sweet and special. I cried tears of joy while I read your article. Thank you Janet so much for taking such an interest in him and now for being his forever Mommy. It only makes sense that such a special sweet boy would end up with a special and sweet person. Thank you so so much Janet and please give Alvin a kiss for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are too kind, Tammy! I suspect that Alvin and I are both weird and therefore, naturally relate to each other.

      Delete
  6. Janet: How awesome to read that Alvin will get to stay with the people he has grown to love. He is a very special little guy, and just reading about him makes all of us love him. I'm happy to know that the blog will be ongoing - it's completely wonderful. Continued best wishes for you, your mom (Alvin's favorite!) and Alvin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tina for your kind words and encouragement!

      Delete
  7. Congratulations to you guys! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am so happy for Alvin. To know that he is in his forever home, deeply loved and desired fills my heart. Your insight and writing abilities are so special and I too can't wait to read about his newest adventures. Not to mention he gets a Grandmother in the deal! Life is good!
    Chyrl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Cheryl! I think we are all going to be a bit disappointed if he ever gets through his issues and becomes "normal" because what would there be to write about? I think we have a long time until that occurs though and he gives us all a lot of laughs and smiles.

      Delete
  9. Alvin is exactly where he's supposed to be, but I suspect you've known that for some time now and just weren't ready to admit it. ;-)

    I'm very glad he'll be staying, and I look forward to many more blog posts and pictures from you. BTW, I drive a paratransit bus where I live, and one of my semi-regular passengers is a man named Alvin. Whenever his name pops up on my passenger manifest, the first image that comes to my mind is your little Alvin, staring at the camera with his little pink tongue sticking out...and the comment you'd made in a previous blog entry about "enduring an Alvin hat". LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is the cutest thing! I have developed an affinity for anyone named Alvin. I am certain to find parts of Alvin strewn across me on any given night and it's quite lovely!

      Delete