Niamh Gibson

A BRILLIANT NEW HOME (NOVEMBER 2018)

There is marvellous news for Marley. She has been adopted by Alan and Celia and, with her new home, comes a lovely new name, Niamh.

She has already been welcomed as a sister by Toby and Darragh. Alan said “We know we have a long road in front of us but we are sure we will get there”.

The gorgeous Niamh has definitely fallen on all four paws and we are sure dear old Cody will have had a big angel paw in this very special adoption.

HISTORY

Marley is a 4 year old Golden Retriever who was surrendered by her family in 2018 because they didn’t have enough time for her. They told IRR she had no issues and was good with dogs and children.

She had the usual vet checks and vaccinations to obtain her Pet Passport but stayed with her owner until she was ready to travel. Marley went into foster in Norfolk with Louise and acquired the rather famous Barnaby as an experienced foster brother.

PERSONALITY

Marley was very shut down on arrival. She was very scared of men and very quickly identified Louise as the person to run to if she was scared indoors or outside.  She also soon learnt to take the lead from the other dogs who, very gradually, taught her not to be so afraid.

In her first days, Louise said of her “Marley is absolutely beautiful in temperament and looks.  She certainly steals your heart within seconds. She is incredibly timid and anxious but is also desperate to please and accept affection. Marley seems quite sad and shut down around the house but less so in the garden and even less so when we are out pack walking in wide open spaces. However, even there she’s not ready to engage with anything other than the environment.  I see glimmers of the gorgeous girl hidden under her fear and, hopefully,  one day soon, her true personality will start to emerge. We’re taking things very slowly, taking the lead from Marley. She seems so fragile that rushing her isn’t an option”.

After a few days, Louise said “Marley continues to win over everyone she meets. Her gentleness shines through her timidity. Though she remains incredibly worried by everything, she tries really hard not to be. At first glance, it looks like Marley hasn’t really progressed much but, for her, she’s made huge leaps over this last week. From not daring to walk on a rug or mat she now sleeps contentedly on them (as long as one of my gang are there first).

She loves being stroked and will happily lay at my feet. She is still wary of others and though she will now approach men, instead of running immediately, she still hasn’t braved staying for a stroke, even when surrounded by the other dogs, but, most importantly, she no longer runs at the sight of them and that is enormous progress.

She’s much less shut down now and happily explores outside and has actually instigated play once or twice with my dogs. However, as yet, she is unable to sustain it and runs to me for reassurance. She becomes very anxious if she can’t get to me and she still follows me everywhere. She waits behind doors for me to emerge and, if I go out she paces, wines and watches for my return. She doesn’t yet get comfort from other family members or the dogs.

Marley is most at ‘home’ outdoors, and if outdoors includes children she’s even happier. Marley walks beautifully on a lead with a long line. She has this last couple of days tried to play with my dogs and even other dogs while we have been out on the beach but she is terrified of loud traffic and tries to hide if any passes her – she crawled under a fence when a motor bike passed her.  

As Marley setttles, her personality is beginning to emerge. She’s puppylike in her joy at discovering what I assume are new things. She will lie and play with a ball and chew a toy and she gets a little more animated by the day. There is still a long way to go before we see the real Marley behind her anxiety, but that real Marley is going to be absolutely superb. This little lady has taken my heart more than any other dog … I think it’s because you can see how terrified she is and what an effort things are for her and yet she tries and trusts”.

HEALTH  

Marley is very thin and her coat is in poor condition at the moment but she’s gaining weight having three meals a day. She has very little muscle mass and is quite gangly when she moves at any pace faster than a walk.

SOCIAL LEARNING

Gradually,  Marley has become slightly less anxious each day especially in the garden or walking. She’s learning our routines and sits and waits for her food, and will now eat it indoors. She eats with relish but is happy to takes treats in turn and gently.

Most household noises don’t phase her at all. She’s not bothered by the hoover, washing machine or power tools although the tv, people walking upstairs or on the stairs or bumps, bangs, scrapes of chairs, towels being shook etc all terrified her.

TRAVEL:  She is happy and content travelling in a vehicle as long as there is, at least, one other dog with her.

HOUSETRAINING:Marla has been clean from the start although she has had free access to the garden and hourly trips out in the evening. There have been no accidents overnight.

BASIC TRAINING:   She has not received any basic training

LEAD WALKING:  Marla walks `loose lead’ with a slip lead and on a harness

RECALL: Her recall seems perfect outside.

RESOURCE GUARDING: She shows no sign of food or resource guarding but she doesn’t really know how to play with toys. She does seem to enjoy holding them in her front paws and chewing them.

SEPARATION ANXIETY:  She does show some separation anxiety.

ADULTS:  She was incredibly wary of men and would only approach women if they were low to the ground or seated and she was ‘covered’ by another dog. Her tail used to go down between her legs as soon as she was touched or looked at. This is gradually improving.

She struggled to walk past people in the house and was always anxious coming in through a doorway. She showed no wish to explore anywhere in the house that I hadn’t taken her.

CHILDREN:   Marla is very friendly with children.  She is not at all nervous or anxious around them but is calm, quiet and very gentle.  She will approach them much more confidently and looks ‘happy’ when she sees them.

DOGS:   From the start, Marla  used my dogs as shields but she remained quite solitary and didn’t really engaged with my pack. In the house. She lay with them and didn’t object to them ‘protecting’ her and she followed them, always being found with one or more of mine, but she didn’t engage other than to seek comfort. However, Marla did interact significantly more outdoors. Now, she is learning to play and she is really beginning to enjoy life.

CATS:   Marley shows no reaction to our cat – but Im not convinced that that isn’t due to her anxiety at the moment.

MARLEY’S DREAM HOME

Marley is definitely going to need an experienced, calm and patient home, probably one with more than one other dog as she is still far too anxious to be a solo canine and she would benefit greatly from the support and friendship that other dogs would give her.

Her people would need to be at home most of the time so an active retired couple would suit her well. As she absolutely adores children, visiting grandchildren or regular meeting up with friends who have children would be the icing on the cake for her.

She is adorable and, with dedication, consistency and kindness in her life, she is going to become  a very faithful companion and friend to some very lucky people.

THE BEST NEWS

Marley found exactly the right home with Alan and Celia and their IRR boys.