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My current foster pup has no front teeth and this is the 2nd time she was rescued. The first was a couple years ago and it took that foster 6 months to restore her to health. It's going to take as long this time. She sat in her kennel at the shelter - people said she seemed kind - not bouncy, not excited to see people, and not scared - just....dead inside. I asked to foster her. Her age has ranged from 2 to 5 - no one knows for sure.
I brought her home and she barely ate, but jumped at every chance to eat the kitty's wet food so I checked her teeth, not well because she seemed sensitive but her gums and molars looked fine, not a lot of tartar. I was concerned about two marks on her head but they didn't seem to hurt her - so I thought old abuse. She seemed dirty and I was planning to give her a bath when it got warm enough and began giving her fish oil daily. That "dirty" coat cleaned up, puffed up on its own. So it was time to go to the vet - and Foxy came with me. As we sat in the vet's office waiting, Foxy started examining this girl - those holes line up with a large dog's upper canine teeth and that would account for the sensitivity checking her teeth. Foxy checked them initially, getting the same sensitivity I found, so we let it go. Even after the vet checked her, no one mentioned her front teeth. While waiting for the blood work results, Foxy noticed her funky tongue hanging out and the way she licked her lips so she decided to take a better look - and her front teeth are all ground down to nubs and her upper canines are missing. No wonder she wasn't eating the dog food! Vet said it could be from being caged for a very long time or Foxy said they could have been ground down on purpose. Either way, it's abuse.
I asked the rescue group if they'd had any luck finding her owners - as her manners and behavior indicates that at one time she had been loved and I couldn't imagine anyone not looking for her. So with more looking, her first foster was found and the adopting family was located - they didn't want her back. WTF! This dog is a perfect companion. She is loving, wants to please, not clingy but desperately wants to be with us and even has won over our kitties. She now has spark in her eyes, no longer rolls in submission at every little sound, and her tail wags high.
But she isn't well. It's going to be a long haul - not only HW+, but a virus (from tics) that will take many months. In the meantime, she knows she is loved and it shows in her behavior.
As much trouble and expense rehabilitating a dog can be, there is little so rewarding as seeing them "become a dog" again, take pleasure in their little lives and be healthy and active. Good on you for doing so, and enjoy your new critter!
(I think I just recently fell in love with my Pomeranian, who came to me last November. He still wants to bite me (no teeth) but is bright-eyed, runs around at 15, and loves his food and bed. I've never had a toy dog, and don't think I'd pick one out of a lineup, but Moofie is his own... person... and I've come to love him. I think you come to love any critter you take care of.)
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indeed.
