Has your dog abandoned you?

by Iris Miller
(Bristol,CT)

My dog Tuffy and I have been inseparable for all of his three years of age. Recently I had two serious injuries, eye surgery and a broken arm, and was unable to regularly and properly groom my dog.

Tuffy was getting wet from rain and snow exposure that increased the matting to his hair. It became so serious, even with this freezing weather, it was pertinent to resolve this issue before his health was seriously affected. I finally resorted to scheduling a mobile groomer I found on the internet to come to the house and groom him in her truck. She came in the house and was friendly to my dog, he seemed okay with her. She warned me there was no other choice (except to cancel the grooming) than to shave him to the skin and put a sweater on him. I begged her to just leave some hair and she reiterated, not possible.

I was very distraught about it, but let her lead him out to the grooming van to shave him down. When Tuffy was returned to me an hour and a half later, he seemed okay, naked, chilly, but still okay with the groomer, enough so that he barked at her when she was leaving, not wanting her to go. From that moment on, over a week ago, my dog was going in circles, poking at his rear end and crying. He stopped eating, drinking, and would not sleep with me.

I gave him half a Benedryl to relax him and ease any itching from the haircut. I called the vet, he told me to put baby Orajel on his rash (I thought he might have a razor burn). Tuffy gave me the cold shoulder, not making eye contact, and ignoring me, curled up on the couch in the living room. If I came near him he would startle, bolt away, and tremble if I came near him. After three days I had to force feed him by hand and walked around holding him until he stopped trembling.It was only a temporary solution and I am beside myself,I am worried about him, he has lost so much weight he is skin and bones. He still refuses me, does not want to play, does not beg for treats or food. I have been dumped by my sweetheart and just cannot bear it.

I have been sitting on the couch ignoring him so he will go back to the spot he chose there without fearing me. I cannot afford another bill at this time, so a Vet, dog psychic, or any other type of psychological expense is out of the question.

Anyone ever experience anything like this? I can't stop crying, I want my dog back the way he was.