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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?

 

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We can feel the worry and confusion in the first expression and likewise, what an absolute look of contentment in the second. Love it. Nice to share with Sherri.
those are really nice photos, it's nice to see the difference in the expressions. Thanks for sharing.
Just as I was reading through these replies he came up to me with a giant smile on his face and nosed me to pet him. I guess I am reading too much into it. he sure is cute when he wants to be pet and cuddled. We were interrupted when Sophie Bear came bounding in with a squeaky toy, oblivious to our special moment, lol.
Sherri, I am having the same confusion!  We just moved from MI to TX and all things that were familiar.  They have done amazingly well but I too wonder, do they miss their daycare, their last home, their yard, and all the people we knew.  I am just trying to keep things moving forward for them and keep them in the here and now:)  Winston is soooo lucky now to have you take care of him..bless you for giving him a better home:)
Thanks Suzann. I forgot you were moving. How do you like your new diggs?
You have gotten lots of good advice about adjusting. I always tell people to give big changes like anew job three months! And this is for people who know the change is coming. But you have to find the rest room, the coffee pot, remember names, figure who's who etc. It's like that in spades for Winnie.
Sherri - so many comments and I agree with what they have already said - just give him some time to adjust.  When we rescued Stuart he was just a tiny puppy but was taken out of a mill and put into foster care and then taken to our house all by the time he was 8 or 9 weeks old.  Plus he was sick.  I can't even imagine what he was thinking but it didn't take long for him to settle right in and I like to believe that he never looked back.  Winston might be looking at you, just like you are looking at him - trying to understand what kind of person you are!
Thanks Jane! That's true, I bet he's just as curious about me as I am about him and trying to figure me out. Now I just need to make sure he will see nothing but goodness and love when he looks at me with those eyes.
I used to wonder about Pippin missing his old family.  When we'd go to the playground, he would watch all of the kids like he was looking for someone special.  Or at public gatherings, he would have the most far-off look in his eyes like he was searching the crowd.  It would make me sad, but I also know how much he loves his family now and how happy he is.  It was that look, that searching, distant gaze, that was almost haunting.  I see it less and less now that he's adjusted to knowing this is his home (or two homes in fact as my daughter and I "share" him).  So I think they can miss their old homes, even the ones that were abusive, as that was all they knew.  It takes time to heal, and good memories to replace the old and help them realize they are worthy of this good.  That is one of the reasons I believe so strongly in providing foster homes as a transition for dogs.  It is another transition, but a valuable experience in adapting to change and to knowing many people can love them and be good to them.
Thank you Kathy. It's a good point about creating happy memories. I'll focus on creating new and happy memories for him instead of always thinking about his past.
I don't think he misses his old owners.  I refer to Bodi's former OWNERS, whereas I am his MOM.  He is still getting used to you and his new routine.  And those sad eyes??  Bodi does that too, but he just wants loving.  So we brush, pet, cuddle or play.  Things will get better!
Thank you Doris.

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