Ted's Story

Southern Shih Tzu Rescue hasn't been able to trace the details of Ted's early life (he wasn't called Ted then) but we know he was first rescued early in 1995 and was placed with a family, husband, wife and young son, on the South Coast. They kept him for seven weeks but couldn't cope with his behaviour.

I met with his adopted owner in a car park on the A 13 near the Dartford Tunnel.

According to him, Ted was a biter, wetted indoors, and in his own words "paid unnatural attention to his blanket". He was also suffering from wet eczema. Both his wife and himself were very frightened of him, but their young son got on fine with him.

I found it very telling that they had not told their son that they were having the dog re-homed. I was also told that Ted was left on his own for most of the time. He drove away leaving my wife and myself sitting with one dog, one small blanket, one brush and one lead - and a heap of problems.

I keep Shih Tzus with problems for a six week assessment before trying for re-homes.

After two weeks with Ted, talking and introducing him to my vet, doggie friends and family, a course of action for rehabilitation was started. I also had the skills of a dog trainer close by.

To give him a completely new start he was re-named TED.

Yes, he was a biter, my left thumb, three fingers and my right hand and my chest still bears marks and scars, but I found out what made him bite.

Ted had been treated badly, both physically, but more so mentally. Wag a finger at him and he bit it! Try to get him off of a chair or through a door forcibly - a growling or biting match.

Use your voice and you had a reasonable chance of him behaving. He always, when in a room with people turned his face to the wall, completely ignoring them.

He had lost,or had never been given the skills of companionship and playing. Strangely he loved being with or near young children, it was the only time he became animated. Were these the only humans he received kindness and love from?

His eczema broke out again but my vet quickly got it under control.

After seven weeks, Ted had improved enough to re-home him with two friends of mine who lived close by.

For the first three weeks he was a great success, but gradually his behaviour started getting worse, and they found it increasingly difficult to cope with behaviour and they were the first to admit, they were not 'doggie' people.

I decided in Ted's best interest that he should come back to me.

My friends were very disappointed but agreed he had been quite a handful. His eczema had started again which meant another trip to the vet. A full health check was carried out and Ted was found to be anaemic and have crystals forming in his urine which meant a diet for the rest of his life. I felt that I couldn't ask anyone else to take him as a rescue, so I adopted him myself. The only other solution would have been euthanasia - that was out of the question.

That was some weeks ago and Ted is beginning to re-learn those lost skills of companionship and playing.

There is still a long way to go, five years of unhappiness can't be put right overnight, but we'll get there, with patience and understanding.

Unfortunately, Ted's case isn't unique, some dogs that are rescued are both physically and mentally ill-treated, some times without their owners realising what they are doing.

Rescue organisations only manage to get some of the dogs needing help. God knows what happens to the rest, I shudder to think.

There appears to be too many Shiddies being bred. Puppy farming appears to be the main culprit, but I wonder if it is solely to blame?

Please next time you think of breeding, think twice, miss a litter, there is always another opportunity.

Remember, Ted's is not an isolated case and by missing that litter, just maybe, you could prevent another rescue being carried out. Please have a conscience and spare a thought for the Ted's of our wonderful breed.

George Scott
1995

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