My dog may be Amish.

I recently adopted a rescue dog named Ledger.  He’s a Belgian Malinois a little over two years old.  He is extremely smart, affectionate, gentle and very well behaved. He also seems to have a few minor psychological issues, which is really just bit more than ironic! 

With rescue dogs you don’t always know what conditions and treatment they received earlier in life.  I think Ledger was beaten with some kind of motor vehicle.  He is terrified of cars.  Not parked or cars driving past but of being inside a car.  He will get in willingly enough but his tail is practically fused in between his legs and he trembles like someone in the grip of a seizure or advanced Parkinson’s.  It’s pathetic and very upsetting.  Especially so, if you’re a little sensitive anyway and tend to

anthropomorphize all animals in general and your own in particular!   

Being so scared is a horrible, helpless feeling; one that I’m familiar with.  As a child I’d always yearned for someone to support me while I dealt with my demons.  Being the supporter is almost as good.  So I’m giving Ledger the same type of treatment I would have wanted.  I immediately embarked on the “Calm and Content in the Car’ therapy.    

At least once a day we go out and sit in the car.  I keep up a steady stream of conversation, while petting and praising him for being such a good dog. Then he gets a special ‘car’ treat (canine equivalent of junk food) and we get out.  Initially these sessions lasted only about a minute but as his comfort level grew I’d extend the exposure by 30 seconds every few times. 

  

After three weeks of this he now runs to the car door anytime we are in the garage, still doesn’t enjoy being in the car but remains calm and really loves the ‘car’ treats.   

Yesterday was going to be the day we actually took a ride.  He was quite excited getting into the car, perhaps because I was carrying his leash.  However as soon as I started the engine and backed down the driveway, he was in the grip of full-blown terror.  He was trembling so violently; it took him three tries to get the treat from my fingers.   

It just breaks my heart to see anyone so afraid.  I drove around the block and back home.  After a few minutes in the house playing with his favorite cuddly toy, I thought it was important to get back on the horse, so to speak.  We went out, got in the car and I pulled it forward a foot or two.  This didn’t cause complete panic and shaking like before, however his eyes were wide open and full of fear.   

Getting out is always the exciting part for Ledger; he will wait until I’m out and give him the sign.  I was removing my seat belt (just trying to keep it real) when he stretched his neck way over to lay his head on my shoulder and give me a small gentle kiss on the cheek.  My eyes welled up with tears and my heart filled with love, sympathy and gratitude for this brave and loving animal! 

OK, so that’s not the laugh-riot kind of amusing or possibly even very entertaining (unless you’re one of those freaky animal people; which apparently I am now) that I indicated you’d find here…….  It just happened and I had to share it. I will eventually also share with you the story of Ledger, the brave dog who loves to go for a ride in the car!