Ellie came to live with us together with her daughter in April 1998; the Humberside Cavalier King Charles Society rescued her. Ellie had been bred from an early age, was very wary of females and would duck when you lifted a newspaper from the floor to read. She was lead and house trained, but behind on her injections and not spayed which was priority one when she had had a season. When this was done, our vet said she had been bred lots of times and had deep adhesions that would cause her a lot of pain. When I went to collect her, she was howling like a wolf and she kept this up most of the night and would not be consoled at all. Crating her that night, she was like a banshee and eventually I gave in and carried her upstairs to sleep by our bed. She then settled down. Ellie had lots of problems with socialisation with other dogs, she was terrified of rustling leaves and crisp packets, the wind, doors opening, people especially females. If you opened a cupboard door to get plates out she would let out a yelp that would make you think I had kicked her backside.
She would not sit on your knee, a typical Cavalier trait and never gave those little butterfly kisses they are so famous for. Ellie could not/ would not play, I suspect no one had done so with her, to engage her and gain her trust the only way I could do it was by food motivation. I began to teach her to trust again, but she was very reluctant, always on walks seeming to look for her previous owner. Crying and whimpering too, it was upsetting to see and hear. At times she would lie in her basket and cry. I wondered whether she would ever settle down with us. After about a year, we began to see a difference, she would come into the kitchen when I was cooking and I would give her a treat or two and then send her packing before she tripped me up. Now she watches me more closely she really is a foodaholic and would eat hourly I am sure. I got her some beanie baby toys and she now rushes home from walks to check they are there and will carry them in her mouth for an hour or so before letting them go. Not even food will let her give them up. I now ask her to give me the baby for a treat and after six months she is doing it. Progress! There is slowly a puppy coming out at times she will chase around the house and I encourage her to do that lots. We enrolled in socialisation classes and she was terrified. She once slipped her lead on the way to class and I was fearful she would get killed on the road. I only caught her because I used food treats! Very scary. She did not pass her socialisation certificate. I am trying her again this year, never say never!
I think I made mistakes with her at the beginning, not stamping my authority because I felt so sorry for her, she has played on that and I am the loser as is she. I engaged the services of a trainer/behaviourist who suggested clicker training for her and we begin classes this summer. I am determined to get the best out of Ellie; she has many positive attributes, but is stubborn too and will not risk allegiance again to another human being especially a female. I think I can do it; yesterday she willing gave me a lick on the nose, a first! This was on her terms though not mine! It's all good fun though and well worth it. Rescue is harder work than when I got my first two puppies and brought them up to enjoy life to the full. It is very rewarding, frustrating at times, Ellie should never have been bred from, she is nervous, not of typical Cavalier temperament. Ellie will never be used again for profit and all I can do is try to make her life as loving and happy as possible whilst I have her with me.
Gemma came to live with us in April 1998 together with her mother. She was very tiny, not socialised or lead trained. Nervous barked at anything that moved. Temperament, typical Cavalier, fearless on her first outing she wanted to tackle the local softie, a Doberman. He looked at her with disdain, but that did not deter her, they are archenemies still! He just ignores her though! Gemma is the alpha dog in the household after me. She did not know how to play but soon learnt and now if I am working will bring a toy to me so that I know she wants to play. Gemma loves the sun and will follow it throughout the house.
Her best friend is our rabbit, Bessie Bunny whom she rounds up when its time for her to go in her hutch. She is placid and content, loving and affectionate. She is the baby in the pack and plays it to full advantage! She soon learnt to trust and will do anything for food! She is sensitive to my moods as well as worrying about her mother when out for walks. Gemma knows when I am up or down. Gemma settled well becoming more confident with each day. She tolerates her mother, Ellie and will sometimes fight with her quite aggressively. Ellie always gives in. Thank goodness!
Gemma has not been bred from and will never be as we had her spayed after her first season with us. Gemma has settled down to become a well-loved member of the family. She retains her puppy qualities that are endearing and well practiced! She talks in little grunts and makes her wishes well known to all who visit. She is a loveable rogue! Gemma hates cats, and I would not trust her out on her own in the garden. She defends her territory with great voice and confidence. What was clear in the beginning was that both girls needed individual attention, so they were walked and trained separately from each other as both had differing needs. This was time consuming and they got walks together too. Gemma picks up on Ellie's negative vibes and gets agitated, so it's easier to do individual walks as well as together ones. Plus its good to keep my weight down. Gemma has a tendency to be overweight too, so she gets much less to eat than Ellie. I feel really mean, but that's my problem not hers. At present both dogs are overweight by about three pounds each. Too many treats easy to give with those melting eyes. Summer is coming so more walks will sort that out. Gemma has bonded with us and has not missed her previous owners like her mother seems to have done. She is trusting and passed her obedience certificate first time. We are going to try and do agility this year, which may help with her weight problem and mine!
About us: Brian and I have been married before and have two boys and two girls respectively. Henry & Albert showed us the true Cavalier temperament, fun, fearless, loyalty, devotion. It was an honour to share their lives. In tribute to their lives and courage in the face of adversity, MVD, constant medication, disc problems. Etc., we decided to adopt a rescue dog; we had planned on just one dog, perhaps an older dog in rescue through no fault of their own. Then along came Ellie and Gemma, girls, not spayed, damaged psychologically. Would we cope? We had lots to learn, these were damaged dogs. With emotional baggage, they tested us out and at times found us wanting. We learnt together, although it has taken us longer than we thought. It’s not been a barrel of laughs, but we have not sent them back either, although at times it was discussed whether they were right for us. A forever home, to find out recently that both of them were diagnosed with MVD was devastating. But ironically, that was the moment that Ellie decided she was here for good and her behaviour improved dramatically.
Rescue has its ups and downs and we know its been worth it, but its important to stick in there with it and not be discouraged at the first signs of trouble. We will enjoy the rest of the time we spend together, realistically, its not going to be as long as we would have hoped for.
Heart disease is too prevalent in this breed and only genetic testing and research into the causes of why these Cavaliers have to suffer such pain and distress during their short lives. Please consider supporting MVD research in whatever way you can. Buying cards from Helping Hearts and promoting awareness in prospective buyers will all help in the long run.
Support the Rescue organisations and remember that Rescue Cavaliers depend on you for the following:
C: is for cuddles.
A: is for affection.
V: is for vivacity.
A: is for adorable.
L: is for unconditional love.
I: is for inseparable.
E: is for everyday, the closer we will be.
R: is for reassurance. This is my forever home.
