We have two rescues that are between 8-10 and we also foster.
Most rescues were not properly cared for....prior to coming to the rescue, and if from a mill (like our two) then they never had toys, played outside or did anything apart from their cage. A bath was a water hose when the cages got smelly and they were left in it while it was hosed down.
Sorry, back to the toy thing.....our little Zander came into the resuce back in October of 2009....he wouldn't touch any toys. About June-ish this year we did catch him playing with a toy by himself (he still won't go near the others with a toy). We did catch it on video-too cute.....and also find him now hoarding toys in his crate.
He did run after a toy when I tossed it across the room with one of the other dogs, but then figured out that they were coming too and stopped.
It has been just over a year and he continues to make progress. It takes a LONG TIME and A LOT of PATIENCE...with the wonderful little rescues....but it is so worth it.
