Shy Boy

Shy Boy is one of the dogs that was rescued from a hoarder situation in the desert. Shy Boy’s photo tugged at our heartstrings because, unlike the other dogs, he refused to come out of his plywood dog house to get attention. Instead, he stayed hidden at the back, trying not to be seen, hoping that the photographer would go away. We could see that he had an old choke collar caught around his shoulders in a very uncomfortable position, but no one could get close enough to him to remove it. The reason for Shy Boy’s timidness is this: He has been living in a kennel for AT LEAST 4 years, possibly longer. He had been transferred from one hoarder (who was closed down) to another (who has recently been ordered to find homes for his 112 dogs) and has not known the touch of a gentle hand, the wonderful feeling of a bath or brushing, or the soothing sound of a kind voice for FOUR YEARS.

We knew that we had to save Shy Boy, but getting him to leave the only “home” that he had ever known was not easy. He hid and ran whenever an attempt was made to get a collar on him. Finally, after many attempts, Shy Boy had to be lassoed like a wild horse and he bucked and kicked like one when the leash slipped over his neck. When our rescuers got Shy Boy to settle down and get into the car, he appeared to be in complete shock. His eyes were glazed over as if in a trance, and he didn’t move a muscle once he laid on the soft blanket that had been prepared for him. He did not shift his position or move so much as his head for THREE HOURS during the long car ride home. We think that Shy Boy was completely overwelmed by the outside world that he had never seen…he was positively overloaded with new stimuli, and couldn’t process all the new smells, sounds and sights all at once.

When we finally arrived at our vet’s office, Shy Boy was coaxed from the car and very tentatively began to sniff the bushes, all the time vigilently looking over his shoulder to make sure that no harm would come to him. Shy Boy would not let us pet him more than a quick scratch on the head, but we think that was a start!!! He is going to be tranquilized to have the collar cut off of him, his nails trimmed and his ears cleaned out for the first time in years.

Dogs like Shy Boy need the help of MANY animal lovers to help with their long recovery process. We are desperately seeking a sponsor or several sponsors for this boy that had languished in a forgotten kennel for so many years. We know that it is going to take a long time to help Shy Boy learn to trust again, but we believe that there is a very special home out there that can help make up for the years that he lost. Please help us to help Shy Boy. He is one of the saddest souls that we have ever seen.

Shy Boy is not yet ready for adoption. He is seeking a very quiet, understanding foster home or a sponsor to help offset his veterinary care costs. Please contact Mdalescomm@aol.com if you can be a special angel to this precious creature that has suffered for so long in silence.