Day 10

I am losing weight now because I am too nervous to eat most of the time. Dr Ray has tried to feed me in different areas of the house, but I just can't bring myself to relax enough to eat my food. The only thing that usually helps me is if Dr Ray sits with me as I eat my meal. Having her there is reassuring and comforting to me, and makes me feel like it's safe for me to eat.

Day 7

I am starting to settle into my routine here : leash walk in the morning, car ride to drop kids off at school, then I go to work with Dr Ray, then another leash walk in the evening. The car rides are less scary but I still will not willingly jump in the car. Dr Ray has to pick me up to put me in the car. After work, we go back to Dr Ray's house. Loud noises, such as a chair being pushed in, toys being dropped, or something equally as common to other pets, still make me jump. I am absolutely terrified of the kitchen and laundry room...there are too many strange noises from those rooms! I find it best to just avoid them all together. The best thing that has been happening lately is the little mean dog that used to growl at me is starting to play with me and approach me happily.

Day 3

Everyone at Dr Ray's house seems to be kind. However, her son moves around a lot and it makes me very nervous around him. I think it is best to just avoid him for now. Her husband is a little intimidating, too. I just usually run from him when he approaches. I am afraid to go through door ways, which I wasn't really aware of until recently. Dr Ray keeps trying to coax me through them, but she always ends up just dragging me under them instead. I just cannot bring myself to go through a doorway! Maybe once I get more comfortable, I will be able to move past this hurdle.

I'm sure the next few days will be busy, keep checking back with me!

Day 2

Well, I survived my very first night at Dr Ray's house. The people here seem very nice, but anytime I hear a strange sound I instinctively bolt. There are 3 other dogs here and 2 of them are very nice to me. One of them, however, keeps growling at me and tries to run me off if I get too close. I think I will just stay away from her for the time being. The family takes me on frequent leash walks which are enjoyable. Dr Ray took me back to work today, and then back to her house...which meant two more car rides. I was less afraid this time but I still really don't like jumping in and out of the car.

Day 1

Dr. Ray decided to take me home because I had been couped up for a while. When she put me in her car, I was so afraid because every car ride results in a new, strange place lately. She had to pick me up to put me in her car and let me put it this way...the saying, "you scared the pee outta me," isn't always just a saying. Once I got to her house, I was still very nervous. Nothing was familiar and the house had nnew sounds I had never heard before. I was so scared, I would not even sit down for 2 hours. Once her kids got home, the house became noisier and more energetic. By the time I hit the 4 hour mark, I finally was tired enough and hopeful of my safety, that I relaxed enough to lie down.

Pick Up Day :

Hi everyone! My name is Gabe and I'm a 2 year old chocolate lab mix. I was pulled from Fulton County Animal Services by 11th Hour Rescue (based out of New Jersey). Two technicians from Fayetteville Animal Hospital went to the shelter to do some work for 11th Hour Rescue and found me in the lobby. They fell in love with me instantly and decided to take me with them. I was really apprehensive about getting into a car with two people I didn't know, but they kept assuring me that I was going to be alright. Later, I found out they were right! I had to stay at the clinic for several weeks because I was being treated for Heartworm Disease, and during my time there the staff grew close to me. I was very slow to trust them, because I'm very timid and afraid. I don't want to get into my past life, but it wasn't as pleasant as it is now! Dr Ray and her family have invited me into their home, and I am really starting to come out of my shell...but we will get to that later. Stay tuned for my next diary entry!!