What a difference a month makes.
When Ella arrived here from Louisiana at the end of February, she was so fearful she tried to avoid us at all costs. She wouldn't come into the house, wouldn't let us get close to her, and wouldn't even come up to eat her meals -- we'd have to put the bowl down and then back away. Once we had retreated a certain distance, only then would she go up to the bowl and start eating. Needless to say, we had a lot of work to do with this young lady.
The biggest help, of course, was just having the other dogs around. She'd watch them greet us, jump up and down at our feet so we'd pick them up, and see how they would come over to us to be petted and loved. We saw her watching them do all this, and we could tell that it was beginning to dawn on her that dogs and people naturally enjoyed each other's company!
The breakthrough came one morning when I was trying to get Ella to come in the front door. She stood about 8 feet away, just off the ramp, clearly wanting to come in but not trusting me enough to walk right past me and through the door. As I was pondering what to do next, here came blind Madison up the ramp, tail wagging, and eager to get some loving. I bent down, made all over her, and then she walked through the open door and into the house.
Ella stood there watching this.
In an instant, she hopped onto the ramp and skittered past me into the house.
From that point on, we noticed she was paying a lot of attention to what Madison was doing. If Madison did it, she would be comfortable doing it. So over the next few days, if Ella was balking about coming in the door, we'd go get Madison, put her outside, and then call her back indoors. Ella would follow along right behind her.
We began feeding them next to each other. Pretty soon Ella stopped running from us when we approached with her food bowl. She'd still be nervous, with her tail tucked, but she wouldn't go hide. She'd park herself near Madison and eat her meal.
One day in the living room, I was petting Madison and scratching her ears and making all over her. The next thing I knew, Ella had gotten up off the dog bed nearby and came over to stand next to Madison ... to get her share of loving! There I was, making over both of them, side by side.
That was the second breakthrough.
"Madison," I said, "you're a wonderful teacher, old girl!"
Ella has come so far that she now gets jealous if we're petting another dog. She will come over and shoehorn her way in to make sure she gets a little of it, too.
She's not 100% yet ... there are still flashes of her old fears and insecurities ... but every day she's more and more like a normal dog. The "disability in her head" that I wrote about in that first blog post is almost gone.
And you can see from the photo above just how relaxed she now is. As far as she's concerned, the Dachshunds and Spinner can have the two armchairs -- but the couch is hers!
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I wouldn't know this if TypePad, our blogging service, didn't keep track of such things, but this is my 1,250th blog post. So this is as good a time as any to announce that I'm going to start posting three days a week rather than five -- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Doing these daily blog posts -- photos with narrative -- takes more time than one might realize, and time is the one thing we're chronically short of around here. So for the immediate future, I'm going to trim back the blogging schedule and see how it goes.
Speaking of data, how many comments have been posted on the blog? Would you believe 13,753? Wow.
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Please keep voting for the ranch in the Shelter Challenge -- and you can vote every day! We're currently in fourth place and still on track to win $3,000 for the animals, but every vote counts! We just slipped from third place to fourth, so please help round up as many votes as you can so we can stay in the running for the $3,000. Ask your family and friends to vote for the ranch, too!
Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT, for Montana, and it will bring up our listing.
Vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
Last year we won $3,000 in the first round and then won the $20,000 Grand Prize in the second round, so your votes really do add up and make for a wonderful gift for the animals here.
Thank you!
What a fantastic testimony - showing yet another wonderful achievement at RDR. I am very happy for Ella that with time she is learning to trust humans.
Oh my - I am going to go through RDR blog withdrawl! While I completely understand, selfishly I will miss the daily blogs. I feel somehow "connected" to the ranch through the blogs.
Thanks for all that you do for these wonderful animals!!
Posted by: Kristin in Georgia | March 31, 2010 at 06:03 PM
It is great to see Ella making such progress. It must make you and Alayne feel great to know you're earning her trust. You both do such great work! I can only wonder what Madison must have thought though when you'd send her outside only to call her right back in...
Posted by: Tracy | March 31, 2010 at 07:56 AM
Patience and a little love go a long way,bless you Ella and all at the RDR that have helped her come so far.
Posted by: Kathy and Harley | March 30, 2010 at 04:08 PM
I've recently had the exact same experience with my foster dog who was timid and skittish when he first came to me - now of all my dogs he is the most demanding of my attention and affection! It's a great feeling when they start trusting you and enjoying life...
Posted by: Amber Lipari | March 30, 2010 at 10:07 AM
Reading this update on Ella made me cry. It just does the heart good when "the disability" in their head can slowly be cured with love & trust. Madison is a wonderful ambassador to Ella & I'm so glad Ella has sweet Madison to learn the ropes from. Seeing her relaxing on the couch just makes my heart swell.
I will miss the blog on Tues & Thurs. I read your blog every day & even when you take a week off for vacation/holiday or the weekend I miss you. But, the whole point of RDR is to give time, attention, love & caring to those furry friends we all enjoy reading so much about. So, if us missing a blog 2 days a week means more time for their care then that is all that matters to me.
Congratulations on all the blogs that have been posted & I am so happy I discovered you all a few years ago. RDR changed my life in so many ways. And, I have said it before but visiting one day is a dream of mine.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | March 30, 2010 at 12:36 AM
What a great story! Ella knows she has a wonderful home and nothing but good things lie ahead for her!
Posted by: Ann | March 29, 2010 at 10:41 PM
You are supported and watched; I can only stay in the background because what you do for the fur-kids makes my chest tight each time I visit. This time I had to write for I am working with a 17 year old Sheltie/long haired Dachshund mix that has taken 5 years to become social. Sometimes it takes longer to overcome a history of pain and mistreatment but it seems always possible with patience and love. What is most astounding is the ability of these creatures to always eventually forgive and learn to trust again. How lucky are we who see it and are privy to such special reaction when it happens. Thank you both for all you do.
Posted by: Sylve M Davis | March 29, 2010 at 09:05 PM
Bravo Ella and Madison!! Such a wonderful update. Ella is home and part of the family!!
Look forward to M-W-F........
Posted by: Doe George | March 29, 2010 at 08:17 PM
So happy to hear Ella has begun to put her past behind her and trust in people again. I get a lump in my throat just thinking about her and the experiences she had that made her fearful.
I too will miss the daily blog but understand the value of your time. I'm sure all the citizens of RDR will appreciate receiving more of your care and attention.
Posted by: Diane B - Snohomish WA | March 29, 2010 at 07:52 PM
What a great friend and teacher Madison is. Maybe sometime Ella will be that role model for another shy and traumatized dog.
Major breakthroughs in such a relatively small span of time too.
This entry will now have to last until Steve writes the next one. I'll probably re-read older entries on the "off" days.
Posted by: Chloe | March 29, 2010 at 06:15 PM
I understand the need to cut back.
Hooray for Ella! She is making great strides. the buddy system does work! LOL! Or is that monkey see, monkey do?
Posted by: Michelle | March 29, 2010 at 05:57 PM
When you post such lovely stories like these, I don't care how often you post!! It's always so nice to hear how they are coming along!
Madison sounds like a wonderful teacher - Ella is lucky to have her!!
Posted by: Kenna | March 29, 2010 at 02:42 PM
The buddy system works! Hurrah for Ella and Madison!
Posted by: Penny Heinrich | March 29, 2010 at 02:26 PM
Happy for Ella, sad for us. We read your blogs first thing each day, how are we going to survive without our daily updates, tears and joys?! We KNOW you need time and the only way to create some is cut something else out and we surely understand it. But it doesn't mean we have to like it; we'll miss you two days a week!! :-(
Posted by: Miranda | March 29, 2010 at 02:11 PM
I've been hoping for an update on Ella. I just knew she'd come around. It still makes me get teary eyed thinking of how frightened and hurt she's been in the past.
I wonder if Madison knew she was teaching and helping Ella??
On previous blog holidays I've enjoyed randomly clicking on past entries in your archives. I guess that's what I'll do on Tues and Thurs. :-)
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | March 29, 2010 at 12:30 PM
What a little doll Ella is - I am so happy she is relaxing more and more. I would have a hard time not petting her all the time! And hugs to Madison, the helper. Will miss your daily inspiring stories but have no doubt you have MUCH to do every day - thank you for your loving and hard work.
Posted by: Angela | March 29, 2010 at 12:01 PM
Great job with Ella. Madison is a great teacher and you 2 are wonderfully patient and kind. While I will miss your daily blogs...I can only imagine how busy you are with all of your charges and your property. You are exceptional people doing an exceptional job. My hat is off to you both.
Posted by: Ev | March 29, 2010 at 11:59 AM
What you do day in and day out is hard work but the dogs like Ella hold a special reward. Nothing else makes the heart soar like trust regained. Dogs are not only here to teach us unconditional love but they also carry a powerful lesson in leaving the past in the past.
Congratulations in showing that once again, love conquers all.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | March 29, 2010 at 11:58 AM
As others have said, I will miss your daily postings, but that you keep this up the way you do is miraculous. Just goes along with all the rest you guys do! God bless you and your work and your every breath.
Posted by: Linda Murphy | March 29, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Oh - so bummed about not getting to read a blog story EVERY day! But this happy story about little Ella will hopefully hold me over till Wednesday morning. Thank you for loving God's creatures so much!!
Posted by: Alisa | March 29, 2010 at 11:34 AM
This is wonderful Steve. The first thing I do every morning when I get to work is check the RDR blog. So, by my way of thinking I only have to come to work three days a week. Excellent. (at least that is what i am telling my boss.) I honestly cann't think of anything more rewarding then earning the trust of an abused or scaried animal. Good work you guys.
Posted by: Eric | March 29, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Hooray for Ella! So glad she has Madison to show her the ropes. Every kid needs a good mentor.
We enjoy your blogs, Steve, but I certainly appreciate the time involved and I'd rather have you devote your time to the business of running the ranch. 3 blogs a week will be tough for us but somehow we'll manage and adjust. Besides, you need more time for all of that Ella-petting!
Posted by: Linda | March 29, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Awww, that made me tear up! I'm so happy for Ella.
Posted by: Darcie | March 29, 2010 at 09:24 AM
That's great news on Ella ~ great role modeling, Madison!
We'll miss your postings Tues & Thurs., but we know you have much to do on the ranch and we DO appreciate all the updates, animal love shares and photos you post.
Posted by: boundforglory | March 29, 2010 at 09:09 AM
Just shows what happens when humans betray a trust and also what a little bit of love can help return it. Thank you for all you do!!
Posted by: Anita Maloney | March 29, 2010 at 08:31 AM
Darn...what in the world will I do? Your blog is the very first thing I do when I get to the computer every day...I will miss it on the days you are "off"...yeah, like you ever get that kind of break.
Posted by: Debbie | March 29, 2010 at 08:12 AM
Perhaps Alayne can post on Tuesdays & Thursdays? I know there are many like me who look forward to reading your blog each day. LOVE the RDR!!!
Posted by: kathy | March 29, 2010 at 08:06 AM
What wonderful news about Ella. It's so great to know that she's been watching Madison and taking her clues from her. The blind leading the sighted in this case, but whatever works. She's so beautiful and peaceful looking in that photo.
I totally understand why you are scaling back on your posting. I don't have a clue how you do all that you accomplish! By all means, the animals come first, but take some time for yourselves as well.
Big hugs all around,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger, Tobias & Tlingit | March 29, 2010 at 04:52 AM
Congratulations Steve! That is an enormous amount of love and information poured in words, for us readers to enjoy and learn from. Thank you for all that effort!
(And I still keep my fingers crossed that you will find a publisher one day!!)
Posted by: Jessica, NL | March 29, 2010 at 04:20 AM
What a wonderful, wonderful way to start my week!! I've been thinking a lot about Ella lately and I'm soooo happy to read that she's feeling more confident and relaxed with each passing day. Ah, the power of love...:-)
Thanks a lot, Steve & Alayne, for giving her so much loving. And congratulations to Maddy for being such a good teacher.;-)
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | March 29, 2010 at 03:03 AM
To see an animal start to trust is a beautiful thing! Good for you to take the blogs down to 3 days a week but sad for us who need our RDR fix on a daily basis! I'll look forward to the days you do blog!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | March 29, 2010 at 01:39 AM
Well done Ella!! And big ups to Madison for showing her the ropes!!
Posted by: Maree in NZ | March 28, 2010 at 11:50 PM
Those breakthrough moments with dogs who have been traumatized by people make it all worth it! You guys are wonderful! and Im so happy for Ella that shes finally experiencing the love and affection she has always deserved.
Posted by: Kate & Luke | March 28, 2010 at 10:50 PM