"I'm Coming Home"

Raja’s Journey

Monday, March 28, 2011

Raja’s journey began today... well, a new journey. She has already been through a lot for a young dog.  While being spayed today, the vet reported he believes she is under a year old.  She’s been through a lot for such a young dog.

A Rottweiler was seized by the police just this month, on March 2, 2011, her owner gone to jail for murder.  She was brought into Brookhaven Animal Shelter & Adoption Center with Akitas, a Boxer puppy and a bearded dragon.  The Cane Corso’s reported to be living there were missing when police showed up.  Once at the shelter, she was name “Brenda.”

The story has been distorted so I am not quite sure which is factual, but Brenda was either found in a basement with another dog, or all the way in the back of the property... and not found until the second day police searched the property.  I’m not quite sure which, but either way... it’s clear that this dog has had little to no social interaction with people.

These photos illustrate a sad, shut-down and depressed "Brenda"

She is beautiful... her coloring a rich mahogany that simply melts into the rest of her black fur.  At the shelter, “Brenda” hid in the back of her kennel.  We would try to coax her to the front with hot dogs and other goodies, but it never did any good.  I told my father about her, because he is as obsessed with Rotties as I am, and he decided he had to meet her, and take her out for a walk one day soon.  As it came to be, the following week on March 22, he was able to get her out with the help of a staff member and so this is truly when her new journey began.  It was the first step, a baby step, in the right direction and the catalyst of all that was yet to come.

I heard he walked her, and I was, as expected, extremely jealous and excited.  So a few days later, we went together to the shelter and took her out for a walk.  I tried to keep my distance since she was so weary of people, and so shy.  But I did sneak a few hugs for a photograph! 

After that day, neither of us could stop thinking about her.  She was so terrified in the kennel.. shut down.  I’d stop by and say hello (hello meaning throw her some hot dogs) any time I was at the shelter.  It all sort of blurs together after this point (not sure what came first); I inquired about her to the Director, played with the idea of mentioning it to my husband and parents, and slowly it all came together.  I showed my husband photos I had taken of her the day my father and I had her out for a walk, and he said, “If we get a storage unit, we can foster her.”  OMG, I think my jaw dropped and my eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store.  He said he wanted to name a dog RAJA. So I looked up the meaning (I am big on name meanings) and Raja meant “hope” and “anticipation.”  I felt this was a good fit... hope and anticipation for a new life! 

Needless to say, only a few days later... I got a message from the Director of the shelter asking if I could take her today (Monday, March 28, 2011) because they had 7 strays come in and no kennels for them.  I agreed.  At closing time, 4 PM, my dad and I went to pick her up.  She was asleep in the puppy room; apparently her surgery was late in the day and not only that, her papers said she was in heat.  So her surgery was more complicated, and has more risks (hopefully she will be fine!).  She got chipped, and she is all up to date on shots.  We drove her home.

Her journey that day... shelter to "home"

My daughter was out of the house, and so I took my Boxer, Butch, out to go potty while my dad walked Raja in. Once she was secured in the bedroom, I came in with Butch.   My dad tried to get her to lay down when she came in, she wouldn't.  She stood there, wobbly, until her body couldn't stand anymore.  Poor thing, she is so afraid. Obviously stressed.  I think this is her first time in a HOME.  

She’s pretty shut down.  She hasn’t moved much since being “home,” and when we tried to take her out to potty, she put the brakes on.  She didn’t want to go, I think she is very unsure and scared.  She was outside a few minutes... maybe ten... and didn't do anything so we brought her back in and moved her into the kitchen so we wouldn't disturb her in the bedroom (with the baby sleeping).  I will surely have a large mess to clean up tomorrow morning! LOL!

I did catch her trying to get the cone off when she thought no one was around. So, I caught a sneak peak, a glimpse, that there is SOME ONE HOME in there.  She is so still and quiet, you’d never know just yet.  And she has let a few whimpers out here and there, she must be uncomfortable.  Maybe hungry? 

I must say... seeing her butt on the doggie bed, with her head hanging over the front, and the cone on is giving me serious flash backs to Ursa’s last days.  It’s amazing how ironic that is...  Ursa’s last days remind me of Raja’s first days... It is bittersweet. 

Day one is almost over.  It’s after midnight now.  Can’t wait to document her journey!