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In case this is your first meeting of Phoenix , she is a cruelty/neglect case seized by the CB SPCA. When I went to see her at the shelter, she was almost lifeless and had a terribly broken spirit. To look at her, you would have thought she was about 12-15 years old. I went back to pick her up on Friday. I thought Phoenix was a suitable name for her and the ‘re-birth / new beginning’ that I hoped she would have.

When we reached my car and I opened the door, she panicked again and tried to run away. I held her by the collar, scooped her up and put her in the front seat until I could go back in the shelter and tell them I was leaving. I opened the door to get in and she bolted. I caught the leash and picked her up again (she’s frightened of being picked up and crouches, trying to flee backwards). I put her in the car as I got in – she’s small enough to do that. During the whole drive home she was nervous, frozen in fear, with her overgrown nails curved into my seat. Each time I touched her, even if she was watching, she flinched. It saddened me. She has a large scar on the top of her head that looked to be open quite a bit and several scars across her back and her tail (docking length).

I tried to walk her around and get her to pee when we arrived home , but nothing. In the house we went. I had to carry her as she wouldn’t enter. I stuffed her in the crate (almost literally) and left her there while I tended to my animals.

About an hour later I came back down offering food. She bounded out of the crate and then froze – she couldn’t walk on the hard floor (laminate). She was stiff with fear. I offered a dog bed, sliding it closer to her and she hopped on it with relief. Then, she accepted the food, but watched as I watched her, wondering why I was baiting her. Nonetheless, I was happy that she actually ate it. She then had a little water. She slipped off of the dog bed and froze again. There was a nearby ottoman, so she leaned against it, scared to move. She wanted to come near me and I tried to coax her, but she wouldn’t move. She just stood there, staring at me. Part of me wonders how long that would have lasted.

I placed another dog bed near for her to use as a bridge to the other. She was happy with this. She stood and allowed me to touch her a bit, but was still nervous. After a short while, I took her out for a bathroom break – nothing. I returned her to the crate and would try again shortly. When I came back down, and let her out, she bolted out again, and froze. I scooped her up right away anyway, to take her outside. Unfortunately, she had peed in her crate. Well, at least she finally peed! Outside she didn’t do anything else. I spent some more time with her and bathed her, feeling sorry that she was so frightened that she crouched and plastered herself to the tub floor.

So, she had a pretty good night in the crate, probably frightened of her new surroundings and tired from her ordeal. She peed outside Saturday morning, and ate breakfast. I bathed her again, and allowed her some time in the room alone while I went and got about my own business. She did very well. We had an early morning appointment at the SPCA’s vet, so I brought her out for a short walk where she peed again, and put her in the back of my car. She was frightened, but didn’t seem as bad as the day before. At least she picked her head up this time.

The vet was appalled at her condition. He said that the kind of condition she was in had required months and months of neglect. We did leave with multiple prescriptions and treatments, but it wasn’t anything that isn’t treatable. She may have underlying issues to contend with, but the visible ones will have to be tackled first. I was actually quite impressed at her resilience.

So, with instructions and an armory of test results and medications, we headed home. Once home, I took her for a walk around the back yard and she peed and pooped! Her first one.

We went back in and she got situated on the dog bed again. I gave her a rawhide bone that I had in that room from a long time ago and she was quite happy. I left her alone for a while and she did well all on her own. Saturday was basically just a bonding time to help her get adjusted. Already I could see a huge improvement. It’s amazing what a little food will do.

So, overall, she is just a doll. It’s going to be a challenge to teach her things, as she knows nothing of a normal life. She has no concept of a leash or any ‘normal’ things. She seems quite frightened of other animals, although her interests are peaked at cats outside. I’m not testing her with dogs just yet, but I have a feeling she’ll do well, especially with Chimera. She’s had puppies before, so she must have met one at sometime.

She’s going to be like a young puppy, naïve to the world. The difference being that she does know some of the world, and has been frightened by it.

Phoenix is a prime example of the detrimental effects of chaining a dog outside 24/7. Without receiving socialization and interaction from humans and from other dogs, living in isolation, poor Phoenix has no concept of kindness or of indoor living. Thankfully, she has a patient savior, one that will work with her to overcome her fears and will teach her how to become a happy, well-adjusted dog.

If you've been touched by Phoenix's story, and would like to help us free more chained dogs, all donations are gratefully accepted. Thank you!

If you'd like to donate via regular USPS mail, you may print out this form in .pdf format, and send to P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684

Contact Info: Dogs Deserve Better, Inc. • P.O. Box 23 • Tipton, PA 16684 • Toll Free 1.877.636.1408 • 814.941.7447
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