|
How much can a little Sloughi-girl or a little baby-dog bear and
tolerate and in spite of it not turn it's back on the human?
I don't know. I only have some idea of it.
Azima does know.
Baby-dogs take fright when they are pulled out of their usual surroundings
or company. When they lose their brothers and sisters, their mother,
the familiar people. They don't know what's going to be in store
for them. A strange neighbourhood, strange people. They don't want
to stay alone. They will protest, some very loudly, some faintly.
Everyone who raised a whelp knows that. Who cannot tell a story
of done up slippers, plucked fabrie covered toy-animals, sometimes
nibbled furniture.
Whining , howling, when the first "now-you-stay-alone-(shortly)-exercise"
takes place.
The little puddle on the carpet, always just on the most precious
one. Beaming with joy to demonstrate subordinations and because
it takes too long till you come out at last.
And besides, it is just raining outside!!!
The "game of catching": You won't get me - I am faster than you,
anyway. And after all, why should I walk to you, if you are bad
tempered? I better keep my distance. That is safer. Perhaps, you'll
get peaceful again, if I try to quieten you. Looking around, yawing
or carefully and above all, slowly!!! (important) approaching, in
order that you don't get enraget again.
How should a little dog react if it is not understood by anybody.
If its attempts to take contact with strangers are not understood.
If it is punished and it doesn't know why.
How should a little creature feel?
Lonely.
A breeder tries to find out whether the person sitting in front
of him is the right one who wants to get absolutely just this special
one of the whelps. But the breeder will know it only then, if it
develops from a playful whelp and becomes a proud and elegant hound.
There only will be certainty after many years. After a long and
happy hound-life.
Everyone who ever had to decide to give away his treasure to a
stranger knows how difficult it is.
When Azima returned home after a few months into her flock, to
her sister, to her mother, she had become a cowed and unsteady young
dog. In her accustomed vicinity she quickly got used to normal life
and got now confidence. But she is still frightened especially of
men and she panics if she sees collars. Until she met her new family.
With much patience and love the new couple succeeded, particularly
the man to get Azzimas confidence. To treat her with consideration,
as she had to go through hard times, in her short life, the couple
tried to keep everything that Azima like at a distance.
The training was perhaps also not strict enough as they thought
to be cautious. Azima liked it. She felt well. The new owners had
many a night without sleep and many a "false alarm" on the way from
a frightened creature to a cheerful young hound.
I asked myself time and again, how much can a young dog bear without
resigning?
Suddenly the man whom she gave her confidence wasn't there anymore.
Unexpectedly for all, he passed away.
Weakness and grief of the dependants was too big. They couldn't
take care of Azima. Give her what she needed so badly. Safty and
peace.
How much can a little baby-hound bear?
No, I said a long time ago. It is too difficult to take a grown
up hound.
Will she coope with our existing herd including cat, horse and two
excentric watchdogs?
No, I said, it's impossible!
But sometimes you change your intention.
For 12 years I have been able to spend in company with my first
hound, a proud and self-confident Barsoi male-dog. There won't be
a Barsoi like him again. He always knew, at any time and at any
place what he wanted. There was nothing ever that could have worried
or ruffled him. He died too early, a cancer at his heart had killed
him. Anisa, my Sloughi-lady and myself were alone.
We are missing him. Every day.
I have watched the way of Azima from the beginning. When she returned
for the first time, it was too early. Now I didn't hezitate, no
moment, no second. The fate has brought us together.
She is our hound, I knew it immediately, without seeing her before.
As soon as possible Anisa and me set off from "Rheinland" to northern
Germany. When I saw her for the first time, I thought I have Anisa's
daughter in front of me. They look incredibly alike.
First Azima was a little suspicious. What happens now again, who
is this importunate aunt? In a short time she knew that she belongs
to us. She has found her place. It looks like she has been with
us all the time. She is the contrast but also the completion to
Anisa. She is the rowdy, the clown. Anisa is the princess on the
pea. Together they form an invincible team.
I have never had a hound like Azima in my life. I grew up with
dogs. We had cross breed, biting, ill-treated dogs from "animal-homes",
watchful, and also suspicious watchdogs. And all of them turned
to be sociable family dogs, owing to my parents, and especially
to my mother, who also taught me and my brothers love and respect
to animals.
In spite of it I have never met a dog like Azima, lighthearted,
never bad tempered, always cheerful. Every day she would hug the
whole world with joy. She is full of optimism. And very often she
is full of mischief. Her adversities hinder her sometimes approach
strangers openly. In spite of it she soon gets confidence. She is
not at all complicated.
I can't understand that people can't get along with such a jolly,
cuddlesome, curious hound. Why don't people hold tight a hound when
they are lucky to own one?
How much can a little Sloughi-girl bear, and in spite of it, be
so jolly?
I don't know.
Azima will never be able to tell me.
|
