Oye, could use some advice. Mentoring.

[Tricia2]

I'm getting a reputation as the big, fluffy dog groomer with the Newfie on the Cape. A Berner owner referred his neighbor and the man's 6 yo Newfie, Maddy. Maddy came in today, I almost choked at her condition. Maddy is taller than Lu, I'm guessing close to 27 inches, good bone and she only weighs 72 lbs. Her coat is harsh, her eyes were goopy green. Her owner says she's a fussy eater and his vet says 'thin is better'... but Maddy is not thin, she's emaciated.

He was very surprised to see how much coat LuLu has and it began to occur to him that Maddy has some problems. I groomed her and sadly most of her undercoat came out in handsful. I made some dietary suggestions and suggested he discuss thyroid testing with his vet, but I suspect she doesn't get regular vet care since he was evasive about when she was last seen.

He'd like to meet up a few days a week so Maddy will have a buddy to swim with and I see it as an opportunity to gently steer him toward looking into better vet care, feeding, etc.

I'm looking for Rescue folks to comment on mentoring for a dog who isn't in rescue but could use some help.

 

[MsHarrysMom]

Oh how sad, I'm so glad you are willing to step in and help this poor dog and her owner. Hopefully he will listen to you and she will benefit. Sorry I couldn't be more of a help, just wanted to say thanks to you.

 

[Erika]

Ohh your loving heart.........thank you for trying to help

 

[DAWNMERIE]

I see it as an opportunity to gently steer him toward looking into better vet care, feeding, etc.

I agree, I'm hoping some of the rescue's post some info for you and as Erika said you have a wonderful heart! But I see as a great opportunity for Maddy. You go girlfriend!

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Oh how sad, I'm so glad you are willing to step in and help this poor dog and her owner. Hopefully he will listen to you and she will benefit. Sorry I couldn't be more of a help, just wanted to say thanks to you.

Every word that Amy said. Good luck to you too. Poor pup.

 

[victoria1140]

perhaps as a dog groomer you could make up leaflets on different dog coats, etc and caring for them.

I agree gently steer him towards vets, etc as perhaps he is on a limited budget or was unaware of how poor condition his pet is in. Thats no exscuse but sometimes we need to gently educate

 

[4ondafloor]

You could let them initiate conversations about food and quality of care. I'd let it lay until they started asking questions. That way you don't appear too "probing"
Putting them on the defensive right off the bat doesn't seem like a good idea to me.
If they remark how much better she looks after grooming, perhaps you could remark "This is the best tool I've found for keeping the undercoat out" or "I find regular brushing and raking with THIS is helpful in maintaining the coat" and show them what you use.
Food-wise, Get some carrots out while they're there and as a treat when they've been good, offer to allow them to give her one. That will open the door for the discussion of food. You could then ask about her diet without coming off being too nosey.
Goopy eyes...I'd get a cloth or tissue and gently wipe Lu's eye first and comment "Sometimes she gets a little eye booger and I always feel I have to wipe it away, I see your girl has the same thing." That might open that door too so that you can determine what might be causing it.
I always use my guys as an example first. taling about my crew and pointing out things about them always seems to be a good ice breaker.
Skin issues are easy to talk about. Gojie is ever the king of the rash on his belly in warm weather. I take a small container of gold bond with me in my purse and if I see there might be a skin issue, I'd just roll Gojie over and sprinkle (whether he needed it or not) and it usually starts the conversation with them saying "What's that?"
I'm sure others that have dealt with rescue will chime in too but these are just a few suggestions I can offer that have worked for me.
Simply put, I try not to be too invasive. It puts folks on the defensive if I come right out and start asking questions. It appears I'm judging even though I'm just curious.
Good luck. You're one person that would make a marvelous mentor, Tricia!!

 

[skoorka]

I am so glad Maddy happened across your path. With your giant heart and gentle coaching I think she's already close to the road to mend. If at some point he wants to give her up, I can help transport her to rescue, or perhaps never make it past my own door! HUGS, and THANK YOU for watching out for this poor girl!

 

[Tricia2]

Thanks for the support and for the great advice, Debra!

You are right about being too direct about questioning, I think allowing him to see what goes into keeping your dog healthy without probing about what he's been feeding, testing, vetting will build a foundation.

It almost seemed that he's been in a bit of denial about Maddy's condition because he hasn't been around other Newfies. On the plus side Maddy is very sweet and social...typical goofy girl....and she has a really cute face.

 

[Popcorn]

I have been in this situation more than one time. Really, all you have to do is spend time with him and Maddy. What happens will happen naturally. Sometimes the newf gets what they need and sometimes they don't ... and you have to accept that where it is a case of ignorance or borderline neglect from ignorance or poverty.

Years ago I spent time with a first - time newf family who I met walking my newfs on the street. My Newfs were very gentle, etc. Their pup was beginning to be aggressive and they were afraid. It was their first dog ever. They reacted with fear rather than taking charge. I met up with them a few times, and ultimately, they surrendered the Newf to me. It was a challenge they were not up to, and clearly they wanted the best thing for the pup. I got the newf pup into local rescue, and he became a search and rescue Newf with a very active couple. He was actually quite a dominant dog and even our rescue chair had to really work to socialize him. I never directly said to the family ... "You need to surrender this dog, he is not right for you." I let them ask for help and I gave it.

Another time, I got to know a family with a neglected newf, pretty much similar to what you describe with Maddy, at the dog park. They noticed the vast difference in health, weight, hair tone, cleanliness with my newfs and their girl. They asked me what I fed my dogs and how I groomed them. They loved her, but because of some very tragic circumstances (recent suicide in family), couldn't care for her. They could hardly care for themselves.

I didn't say anything but they gradually asked me about food and what brush I used, etc. I thought they were on the verge of wanting to surrender her, but they weren't. Over time, there was some improvement in the poor girl, but not much. I told them about my groomer who will cheaply care for Newfs in need. I was on the verge of offering to pay, but my funds were limited and I felt that hey had no follow thru -- that it would be a drop in the bucket. They loved her but had no time, money, or energy to care for her because, I suspect. of the tragedy. When I had met them a year before the tragedy, their newfie girl was in good health. But they know where I live if they ever want help or need to give her up.

I feel this is a situation that can most benefit from your simply having play dates. Answer questions but do not yourself initiate comments/suggestions because that typically only shames the owner. If they ever say, "I am so overwhelmed, I can't care for Maddy," THEN is when you can offer to take her and help her find a great home. I wouldn't mention rescue (it's NOT a rescue really)-- just say there is an adoption network of families who lost their newfs and are hoping to find one.

If it gets to that point, I would offer to take Maddy myself (because he knows and trusts you) and then get the dog into Rescue. Rescue is an word and option people are scared and ashamed of. A friend taking the dog to help connect them to families that want to adopt ... that is NOT scary or shameful.

 

[padkins]

:hugs: I applaud your efforts with Maddy and her owner. I hope that things go well and you can see and improvement. :hugs:

 

[Tricia2]

Thanks Popcorn! More great advice. I've always been on the foster end (of an all breed rescue) where the health and welfare of the dog has already fallen under the wing of the rescue group. I see some very neglected dogs who actually come in for grooming. My shop is located downstairs from my vet and lots of my referrals come from the vet and her staff.

I can tell this man loves his dog but I don't think he has the tools or network to support her needs. He claims she's the product of an "oops" breeding so I suspect there is no breeder knowledge to tap into. So for now we have a play date set for tomorrow. I've invited them to my Home Owner's Association private beach. I'll pack a bunch of healthy treats to 'share' and play it by ear.

I'm attending NCNE's Spring Fling this Sunday and I'll tap into the Club's Rescue folks knowledge banks.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

I'm so glad to hear that you'll be fostering him (the owner I mean). Keeping all fingers and toes crossed over here for a successful intervention and please do fill us in on any progress. Hugs to you!