[algernonpj]

Here's a story about Gunner, who was diagnosed with doggie PTSD and found a new home with Deb and Dan Dunham, whose Marine son died in Iraq protecting the men beside him.

With patience, a rubber toy, and the help of their yellow lab Ziggy, the Dunhams are trying to coax Gunner back to emotional health.

[dblshot]

One of my 3 dogs is a rescued 107 pound part ridgeback part german shepherd? who was found taped up in a box in the woods with another dog and left to die. When we needed a companion for our 127 pound lab blueheeler mix because she chewed through a chain link fence in a thunderstorm we got Chief. Chief had been in a rescue facility for nearly a year, it's harder to adopt out big dogs. He is an awesome animal but definitely shy. I expect his rough early years are still with him. He is very protective of my wife though, and has a bark that he uses infrequently but to good effect. The thing with dogs is that they have learned over centuries of living with people, who to trust and who not to. Any of these war dogs with PTSD can benefit from a loving home, you just need to be attentive to there needs. As far as thunder goes, Chief benefits from a device that wraps around his body like a tight blanket, apparently it gives him a secure feeling because he is definitely less nervous when it's on him. Otherwise he'll hide in a corner if it's thundering. Anyway good luck and best wishes to the Dunhams, patience, patience, patience.

[Racehorse]

Thanks, algernompj, for the link.

Rather an interesting story, not just for this war dog story, nor just for the family of a fallen Marine.

Makes me wonder, does the Lackland AFB animal hospital have a kind of mutual healing program for both our soldiers and canine veterans?

One of our two adopted dogs/companions was a four year old mixed breed Dauchund/some kind of hound. Mildly curious how that sexual feat was accomplished, considering BJ’s size (previous owner named him).

When we adopted him one thing nobody could do, except me for some reason, was touch his hind quarters. He’d snarl and snap at anybody who touched him there.

Over the first few years he grew to tolerate others touching him, but only two years ago did we learn why he did not want to be touched.

The poor guy has arthritis. It hurt to be touched.

Our vet has provided medication which has pretty much worked.

But the sound of thunder . . . an occasional event in San Antonio . . . sends him into extreme distress. But then, so does my occasional hard coughing or sneezing. He’ll instantly get up and leave the room. Otherwise, this guy never lets me out of his sight.

R.