DAMEZ – A1084902

There are dogs who win your love with their outgoing personalities and those who charm their way in via playful hijinks and then there are the heartbreakers, dogs like Damez who flinch at every loud noise, cower under a caressing hand and want nothing more than to snuggle into your lap as tightly as possible and pretend that the outside world doesn’t exist. Little Damez wears his heart in his eyes and his body language says it all…I am scared…I am lonely…will you be my friend? He’s beyond sweet and incredibly gentle whether walking or cuddling and he seems to be quite house trained and understand commands for come and sit too. Fellow dogs are met with polite curiosity and while we do cut our walk short so as not to overwhelm his ever vigilant senses, Damez is never anything but totally meek and compliant and he tiptoes obediently back into his den without a peep. Much as I adore his soft sweetness I’m secretly hoping that with time and TLC in a patient and affectionate new home this honey of a dog will blossom into the happy, confident pet he always deserved to be. Mighty oaks from little acorns grow and with your help Damez can learn that it’s ok to wag his tail high and proud, to run around and be silly, to play with a toy, even to pull one apart if he fancies it. No one is going to hurt him, no one is going to yell at him and there’s no need to be afraid. Happily ever after isn’t just for fairytales and you can make it happen for Damez, ask to meet this golden boy today and let him shine for you.

Another volunteer writes:  The shy nervous dogs grab my heart; I want to promise them that life only gets better from here….that whatever happened to scare them is all gone, and he or she will find a new person or family who will help build confidence and make them feel whole again.  Damez is the dog to whom I told those things yesterday. He’s so gorgeous, so beautifully groomed, and yet so shy and unsure of the world as he knows it now that he walks with his tail tucked.  He’s alert and aware of everything on the street, and even a passing wheelchair sent him skittering.  For a short while we walked with another dog which seemed to give him some confidence as his step quickened and his tail came out from between his legs.   In play dates
he’s gradually opening up and soliciting play.  Damez has a lot of healing to do; we don’t know anything about his past and can only promise a better future with a person or family who will help him regain his footing in the world.   Patience and love is what he needs from us.  How big is your heart?

8/18 update: Damez is fearful in the care center. He walks with low body language and tucked tail. He is easily spooked by noises and dogs and will not walk past the front of the building. It is in his best interest to leave the kennel environment as quickly as possible and allowed time to acclimate in a home setting with an experienced foster or adopter who will be able to follow-up on his fearful behaviors. He will benefit from a slow, calm introduction and initially would do
best in a calm, structured environment.

8/15 SAFER: Damez came in as a surrender on 8/10/16.  The person who brought him in reported that Damez was shy.  During intake, he was shy and kept his tail between his legs.  On his relief walk he kept close to the walker and was reluctant to walk.  Upon entering the assessment room, Damez appeared timid but friendly.  He held the assessor’s gaze for Look, keeping his body low.  For Sensitivity, his body was a bit tense and low, he was whale eyed.  He tucked his tail for Tag and crouched when the assessor touched him.  For both squeeze attempts, he kept his body low and did not pull back his paw.  He displayed minimal interest in Toy, sniffing it briefly.  When off leash with other dogs at the care center, Damez is low to the ground and displays appeasement behaviors, licking at the helper dog’s muzzle, rolling over and whining.

Look: 1. Dog holds gaze with soft eyes, body low. Sensitivity: 2. Dog stands still and accepts the touch, his eyes are averted, his tail is between his legs, body stiff, mouth closed, lip long, ears likely back, may lip lick. Tag 3. Dog repeatedly turns quickly away when touched.  Dog is be
crouching, tail is tucked. Squeeze 1/2: 1. Dog does not respond at all for three seconds.
Toy: 1. Minimal interest in Toy, dog sniffs toy.  Dog to Dog: When off leash with other dogs at the care center, Damez is low to the ground and displays appeasement behaviors, licking at
the helper dog’s muzzle, rolling over and whining.

8/11: When off leash with other dogs, Damez is low to the ground and displays appeasement behaviors, licking at the helper dog’s muzzle, rolling over and whining.  When solicited with play, he tucks away and whines.  The behavior team feels that Damez could potentially be
adopted to a home with another dog pending a successful pre adoption interaction and slow introductions.  Damez arrived as a stray, so there is no history on him with other dogs and how he behaves around them.

8/18: Damez continues to display submissive behavior, however opens and and begins to solicit play.