Do you think he misses them?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Sometimes Winston looks so sad. He mopes, huffs, flops on the floor, or comes up to me with the saddest eyes, tilts his head down, and buries it in my lap.

 

I know he appreciates me, the fact that he is inside with us, sleeping in the same room, well fed, given lots of exercise and play time. I know that all makes him happy. I can tell he feels better and his ears aren't bothering him so much. This morning a friend noted a remarkable difference in him from the first day I brought him home a week ago, she said he looks so much happier. He showed a lot more confidence today when we were in the park. He ran around with more enthusiasm.

 

But then there are the sad moments, he looks up at me with the most serious look, as if he is so hard done by and life is such a struggle (maybe he should be a poet??). He wimpers in his sleep sometimes. I can't help but wonder if he thinks of his former family and misses them. I know they treated him terribly but I know that dogs are loyal to their people.

 

Do you think dogs miss their previous families, even if they were neglected or mistreated? How can I help him feel better and put them behind him?

 

[Jennifer and Jack]

I don't have any experience with that but I would think if you just keep loving on him and giving him lots and lot of affection he will come around.

[Rose Ann and Amante]

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

:)

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

You are such a good mom to worry about him so. I don't know that you can read too much into the sounds that dogs make in their sleep. But moving from one family to another is a transition - even if the other family was not so great, He is going to need some time to mourn the loss, even while loving you and all that you have to offer.

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

I am thinking those serious eyes he's giving you are of appreciation. You're taking care of him...he isn't uncomfortable anymore...his ears are taken care of, he's eating better, he's getting exercise. I wouldn't think too much into it. As for the whimpering in his dreams...maybe he's finally able to go into that deep sleep phase....Lola dreams EVERY night....lots of whimpering, twitching, even running...I like to think that's because she gets lots of exercise and she falls asleep knowing she's in a trusted environment. It'll be an adjustment...but don't ever think that you aren't providing him a MUCH better life than his previous family did. Keep your head up, he loves you!

[Suzanne & Jack]

Give him time and lots of love.  I think some dogs just have old souls like people.  There are times when Jack can be the biggest goof, and times when he has the most serious, sad eyes.  He's been with us his entire life and never mistreated, in fact he is spoiled.  Winston is lucky to have such a concerned person.

 

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Winston may think that he is just visiting with you and that they are coming back for him...he has been waiting for days and days.   It has only been a short time that he has been with you. I think they do mourn.  Give him a couple of months to realize that you are home, and he is home...forever.  When people go on vacation and leave their dogs, does the dog knows that the sitter is not their family?  I am thinking that they wait for who they know, at least for a while.  I am sure we attribute human qualities to our dogs, some of which they don't possess, but when you get home from taking a trip it sure looks like the dog is glad to see you!  Implied is that they remember and were waiting?  Somebody weigh in here.  What do you all think?

[Kate]

I think this is a VERY good point! Winston could have sad moments thinking that he may have to go back in the dark basement. I am sure with a bit more time he will come to recognize that this "vacation" he is on is actually his life now!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sherri, Sometimes, when I look at our Vern, I think he looks sad or bored or something, but he has no reason to be any of those things, so I think it is just the expressions some of our dogs make and the faces they were born with. Everything is very new for Winston and probably confusing. I think it takes about a month before they start feeling really comfortable and come out of their shell. Keep up the good work and I bet in another month, things will be even better.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

If I'm following your story correctly, you rescued Winston only about a week ago.  Having had 4 fosters in our home, one thing I can tell you is that you won't really see his true personality for a couple weeks.  It will start to emerge slowly and then all of a sudden one day it will be like, wow, where did you come from.  I think that Winston is just adjusting and taking everything in.  Just continue to love him and give him the wonderful home it sounds like his has been brought into and soon the real Winston will emerge!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Agreed!  Four Weeks!

Put yourself in his position.  What if, you moved, all alone, to China?  All new food, new smells, new sounds, and new language. You had no idea what was going on.

You had no idea, just one day, you woke up in China!  No one explained a thing to you.  Just there you were.

Although the people were hospitable, friendly and nice, you were so confused. Afraid.  You lost your routine--no matter how dismal ( horrible even)  it was, you lost it.  This place is better however you are somewhat afraid because your sense of security is gone.   But eventually you started to feel safe but it took awhile to love all these new smells and sounds.  It took awhile to develop a sense of routine and what to expect. And he will.

For now,  you may feel like you are doing everything possible but are not really getting that smile.  YOU WILL.  Expect NOTHING  from him for now.  

He also is sick.  If you had that ear ache in China on top of all this other stuff--well geesh!  

Once his thyroid and ears are healthy, he has a routine, a sense of SAFENESS, and a new establishment of his identity I expect a blog saying--HE IS DRIVING YOU CRAZY.  He is just so HAPPY he will not settle down   :)

 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

oh my doodleness, this is exactly what it must be like! Thanks for the perspective. I moved to japan for a year so I can remember how confusing and stressful it was in the beginning, and I planned the trip, didnt' just wake up and bam, there it was. Poor Winnie. I'm sure in time he will be speaking Chinese and eating with chop sticks lol!