Moche returns

Sweet Moche has returned.

Sometimes placements don't always work out and the dog is returned. Sometimes it is the dog has behavioral issues that the owner can't handle, sometimes the owner refuses to put the training and time needed into the dog, sometimes there is sudden unexpected circumstances (like terminal illness or injury) that makes the dog unable to remain in the home. And in some cases, like sweet Moche, the family loves her very much but the dog interactions in the home are not successful.

Moche and Skagit got along fabulously when it came to nap time.

Moche went home to the same family that Inca (now Skagit) did. Skagit is a sassy, vibrant boy who loves to play. His best friend is a neighbor dog who will play with Skagit for 3-4 hours straight with lots of racing around, wrestling,  and jaw sparring. Skagit thought that Moche too would love to do this, and so he kept trying to engage her in play.

Snuggled up close.

Unfortunately, Moche doesn't want to play was much or as roughly as Skagit does. Skagit is awkward in his own way and didn't want to take "leave me alone" for an answer and would repeatedly poke, paw, and generally aggravate Moche until she turned and chased him away. Once Skagit got ready to nap she loved spending time with him and cuddling together, but outside of snooze time they did not get along.

Moche in her hand-knit sweater.

Moche's family loved her dearly. Grandma hand-knit her a sweater to keep the chilly Canadian weather at bay. They signed her up for obedience class. They taught her sit, shake, housetrained her, and emailed me any time they have questions or concerns. They even hired a local personal trainer to help them work with Skagit and Moche. The trainer recommended "crate and rotate," where one dog is crated while the other dog is out free.

This helped a little bit. They did the crate and rotate but also practiced having them out together at the same time in hopes that with enough time Skagit would learn to ease off his interactions with her. This didn't happen. Moche went from hopping in her kennel to get away from Skagit to crawling under the couch where Skagit couldn't reach her. The only time she had peace was when Skagit was kenneled, and always having to kennel one dog or the other is no way for dogs to live. Neither Skagit nor Moche was happy, and after a heartfelt family discussion (and lots of emailing back and forth with me) they made the hard decision to return Moche.

Back with me, resting on the desk bed.

This is a good example of how sometimes adoptions just don't work out. They met Moche before the adoption was finalized and she did great. They worked with her and Skagit over the five weeks trying to get harmony in the household. Moche went from being an unhousetrained, sickly little girl with a nasty case or bordatella to a sleek, plump, very healthy and housetrained little girl. She is a real gem of a dog and someone will be very lucky to bring her into their family. As for Moche and Skagit's family, they will take some time to heal from the pain of having to return her and will eventually start looking for another dog who will welcome and enjoy the same level of play that Skagit does.

Moche prepares for something she loves - nap time!