Please Welcome ... Blind Bertie!

First, we hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Okay, so this particular welcome is a bit overdue -- Bertie came to us from Atlanta Beagle Rescue back in August! But he got off to a bad start his very first night here, when he bit my hand ... hard enough to draw blood but no serious damage. It was the first time I had ever been bitten in 12 years of doing this. Then we had a second incident a couple of weeks later, so we decided to hold off making his introduction until we improved his social skills. 

He was also loud, barked constantly, and had to go everywhere at 150 mph. Moreover, unlike any other Beagle we'd known, Bertie didn't seem interested in people. The folks at Atlanta Beagle Rescue had described him as an "odd duck," and they were right. 

We set to work on a Bertie make-over. As in, Miss Manners comes to Rolling Dog Farm.

Early on, every evening when we brought the dogs in for dinner, Bertie would careen around the room, running flat-out and crashing head-first into walls, crates, table legs, etc. He'd pick himself up, then zoom off to do it all over again. (Blindness + Speed = Headache.) Alayne called him "Pinball Bertie." This didn't seem to bother him, but it clearly needed intervention. I began to bring him in on a leash, teaching him to walk quietly and patiently by my side, and not releasing him until he gave me a quiet sit in front of his crate.

"Quiet" was the operative word in his training, because this was a dog who clearly had been able to bark and bay all day long his entire life. We suspect that he probably had been a hunting Beagle and lived in a kennel, where that is normal behavior. He learned that we don't permit that here, and he needed to cool it. That was a struggle, but by us staying on top of him and getting on his case as soon as he started to bark, Bertie is now a much quieter boy than when he first arrived.

We've had no more biting incidents, either, since he learned his place in the new pack.

Bertie is still relatively "distant" in terms of a connection with us, but he does seem a little more focused on us than he once did. Nothing like any of other dogs yet, but our sense is that he is slowly coming around and will one day be affectionate. He spends his days with blind Louie the Beagle and blind Bugsy, both of whom are very affectionate, so I think this will rub off on Bertie, too, just like Louie helped Bugsy turn the corner.

Miss Manners hasn't given Bertie his Certificate of Good Behavior yet, but we can see a day soon when he will successfully complete the course!

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Final Contest of The Year -- Please Vote for the Farm!

The latest Shelter Challenge started Monday, October 8 and ends at midnight on December 16. Grand prize in this round is $5,000, plus $1,000 for weekly winners and $1,000 for state winners. There are also other categories ... please see the Shelter Challenge website for details.

*** You will find us listed as Rolling Dog Farm.  The state is NH for New Hampshire. ***

Please remember, you can vote every day ... consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.

We just won $1,000 as a weekly winner in the current contest, and thousands more in the previous contests. The Shelter Challenge really does bring in a lot of money for the animals here!

You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.  

Thank you for your votes!  

Comments

[Adrian Meli]

I just came across your blog and what a great thing you are doing for dogs out there-Bertie is lucky to have you and surely he is becoming increasingly aware of that by the day :-)

[Wendy Hughes]

*sniff* Thank you so much for being patient with odd Bertie! Rolling Dog is truly an amazing place and Pinball Bertie perfectly describes his mealtime antics!

[Kate & Luke]

What a cutie! So thankful that you guys are willing and able to give dogs like Bertie a forever home filled with love and patience! Look forward to hearing more on his progress!

[Nina]

What a cutie boy! I know that soon enough he will have great manners because his home is now the Rolling Dog Farm. Your love and patience will cause him to be the dog he is supposed to be. Waiting to hear about his graduation when he finally receives his certificate!

[Mae - Jefferson City]

Welcome Home darling Bertie.XOXO

[Montana Jo]

I usually just read the comments and smile a lot, but this time, Mary from Washington made me realize something. Not only is she right, but it occurs to me that if every person spent some time doing what you do (a few months or so), the world would truly be a better place. Learning the patience and compassion you show would solve a whole world full of problems. Thank you so much for all you do.

[Valerie]

*Welcome dear Bertie*...it is hard learning how to be a good boy, isn't it?? You must keep practicing every day and learn how to become a good citizen. You have a wonderful large family to welcome and help you! xox

[Dee in KY]

Thank you for sharing what you are doing with Bertie. He is, indeed, a very lucky boy to have someone take the time and patience to help him lead a better life. It sounds as though he will adjust to a new way of life and Miss Manners will award that certificate.

[Ann]

My gosh, Bertie is a handsome chap! He could not have landed in a better place then RDF. You've turned around quite a few "problem children" and I know he will be one of them very soon and he'll be a happy, contented part of the family!

[Shirley * James/Portland, OR]

Love Alayne's nickname for Bertie. Thank you for giving this boy a chance when I'm sure nobody else would and his fate wand life would be no more!Bertie you have hit the lottery!!!!

[Chloe]

Thank you Alayne and Steve for your patience and affection for Bertie.
I'm sure as his "manners" improve, he will find more happiness and peace.

[Leila K. - Western Wash.]

Love the Bertie story! It won't be long and he'll be coming to you for lots of loving - he won't be able to resist! Keep up the great work you guys do. You are a real blessing!

[Mary H./Washington state]

If only all animals were given the time, the love and the attention your residents receive the world would indeed be a nicer place. God Bless.

[Tonya Allen]

Bertie's a lucky boy, and he'll start to realize it soon. I'm sure the others will improve his manners still more, and teach him the joys of snuggling. Welcome Bertie! We look forward to progress reports as you journey toward your Good Citizenship badge. :)

[Kathleen Rivard]

What a confusing world it must be when you're yanked from pillar to post and you're blind as a bat. His biting was obviously from fear and possibly from previous mistreatment. If any two people can make a perfect little gentleman out of "Pinball", it will be you two. Happy to hear your Thanksgiving was thankful.

[Barb Ribinski]

Welcome Bertie. He'll eventually catch on but it may take a year or so. Having socialized feral cats, I realize how long the process can be and how much patience you need to have. They may never be the same as an animal who was always around people and loved as a companion, but they will anjoy their new lives and come around slowly. Hopefully Bertie enjoys the other doggies. They will help to show him the way. Can't wait for the post for the next new member of the household. If I recallo, you said there were two newbies.

[Debbie Burke]

Sounds like poor Bertie was raised by wolves...except wolves are better socialized!

Your description gave me a flashback to that great movie classic, "The Miracle Worker," where Patty Duke played the wild blind young Helen Keller, crashing into people and screaming when she didn't get her way.

You guys have worked hundreds (if not thousands) of miracles over the years. Bless you for your patience, understanding, and determination to save this little guy.

[Linda]

Pinball Bertie! It's a great story to kick-start the Christmas season!

[Margaret]

Welcome Bertie! I immediately thought he was part cattle dog seeing those cute speckles, but that face is sure all Beagle! He is so lucky to have found you. Something in my heart tells me he will be an extra special minion in time after all your love and patience. I'm thankful there are folks like you all at RDF!

[Lynn (in Louisiana)]

Thank you for giving Bertie a chance. And thanks to Atlanta Beagle Rescue for knowing where he could get the best care anywhere!! I look forward to more stories as Bertie becomes the dog he was probably meant to be all along.

[Anne in FL]

I see the Bedding & Accommodations Mgr is now the Bedding, Accommodations and Miss Manners Manager! Bless you for your patience and not giving up on Bertie. I hope your hand has healed up and no hard feeling are lingering. If he has a chance anywhere it is with you at RDF. Hope your Thanksgiving was a fine one.

[Carla Polastro-Nigro]

Bertie does sound like a handful, doesn't he? But he could not have found a better "finishing school" than the RDF!:-)

I'm looking forward to reading more about "Pinball Bertie".

[Eric]

WELCOME HOME BERTIE WELCOME HOME

[Kathy Hertzel]

What a handsome boy! Bless you & Alayne for your limitless love and patience. Bertie probably never had a person love him and make him welcome into an actual home so doesn't know how to respond to this change. And, I am voting every day for Rolling Dog.

[Ray the Blind Dog]

He may not have good manners yet, but he is awfully cute...