This photo of our little guy Bugsy was taken by a professional photographer from Maine named Jill Piper, who was at the farm for our visitor day earlier this month. Jill took some amazing photos, and kindly gave us permission to use them. So you’ll see them appearing from time to time on the blog and in upcoming issues of our print newsletter. If you’re in Maine and want some stunning photography, here is Jill’s studio website.
Bugsy, as longtime blog readers?may recall, was an enormous challenge when he arrived. He attacked us during his first week, and when he finally stopped going after us, he settled for avoiding?us. The behavior had nothing to do with being blind, but was from the trauma he had gone through (having his eyes literally knocked out of his head), compounded with too much change in the immediate aftermath of that — a quick succession of stays in veterinary clinics, shelters, a foster home, a road trip to New Hampshire, and suddenly an entirely new environment here at the farm. It proved too much, and he snapped.
He finally turned the corner with us, though the first few times he encountered new people he would get nervous and look to Alayne or me?for reassurance. That was then, this is now. These days he is Mr. Personality, and he loved all the attention he was getting from our visitors that day. He returned it in kind:
?It was so heart-warming to see how far Bugsy has come. However, we don’t think we’ll ever put him up for adoption because the veterinary medicine behavior’specialist we consulted back then said “no more change” for Bugsy. The last thing we’d ever want to do is send him back into that state of mind he was in when he arrived. So he’s staying, and he seems pretty happy with that. Though a few more hands to lick might be in order.
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2014 Shelter Challenge Underway
The latest round of the Shelter Challenge for 2014 is underway. It began July 14 and ends September 21. You can vote every day at?http://www.shelterchallenge.com/. To search for us, type in our name, Rolling Dog Farm, and Lancaster, NH 03584. We’ve won thousands of dollars in the previous contests, so your daily votes do bring in serious money for our disabled animals!
Please note that I cannot help with technical or voting problems. If you find yourself having issues, please consult their FAQ page and their Rules page.
Thanks for your votes!
He’s such a sweet boy. I remember the blog about his arrival and attack! Very scary. But the kindness and love at the Farm is bound to win them all over. I’m sure they all feel it and are peaceful and happy.
On the one hand, poor Bugsy; on the other hand, lucky Bugsy. He’s making amends for his previous “naughty” behavior…..kissy….kissy….licky….licky….
Bugsy is adorable! That first photo just makes you want to pick him up and give him a hug. He is a handsome looking boy.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING BUGSY A WONDERFUL HOME.
Thank you two for being willing to give Bugsy another chance. How sad that anyone would do such horrible things to a defenseless little dog!
Thank you for your gentle, positive, let-Bugsy-do-it-at-his-speed, approach.
Please give Bugsy a few extra hugs, kisses, and tummy rubs for me.
You folks are amazing!
What a long way Bugsy has come. Great photos. Looking forward to seeing more of them!
So glad he’s found happiness, contentment, and security. Every animal deserves that. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
Fabulous pictures fabulous blog!
Bugsy looks so cute and happy. My heart was full, knowing what he has gone through and where he is now – thanks to you.
Wonderful to see Bugsy so happy! He deserves the best and he definitely found the right place at RDF.
We should all be in awe of, and humbled by, the capacity of animals to forgive.
Makes me tear up! Love never fails…………how precious is that little guy. Thank you for your kind persistence with him.
Pretty happy? I bet Bugsy thinks he has died and gone to Heaven!-)
Ah, the power of TLC…
Thank you, Alayne & Steve, for always being there for Bugsy and for all the RDF animals.
Home sweet Home so happy for him
It must have been horrifying for the little guy to go through as much as he did and then still be expected to be charming. What a sense of relief it must be for him to have consistency and to finally feel safe enough to no longer think he needs to fight the world. Thank you for giving him that constant love! He’s a lucky little boy. Please give him some extra love from us out here.
What a precious face! So glad to hear that he will live out his life with you both at the farm. He is truly loved and cared for at the Farm…heaven on earth!
Yet again- your kindness, patience and expertise are magical. As are the portraits.
Beautiful!!!
How old is Bugsy? How did his eyes get removed? Cute cute dog love the fur.
Love,
Cheryl, Skip, O’Malley and Mr, Joey Pepper ( who has his own facebook page)
Bugsy is a testament that patience and love will mend the harm and build the trust
back in animals that have been abused by humans.
I’m so glad Bugsy staying with you forever, he’s a deserving dog for your kind of love and
farm living.
<3 to Bugsy and RDF
Because of all your love and caring, it’s no surprise at all to me that Bugsy has turned out so well and has become such a sweet little fella 🙂
What a wonderful story of patience, love, kindness and perseverance! RDF has the best outcomes because of the two people who had a dream, and followed it. God’s Blessings on RDF.