Resourceful Or Sad
 

Our lil girl Jazzie was a puppy mill dog, then ended up in the hands of a lady who just wanted to use her to breed and make money. In talking with the lady when I went to get Jazzie, I know she didn't take good care of her, she was fed whatever kind of food whenever the lady felt like "tossing something in there on the floor to her." :-( We've had Jazzie about two months now and I try very hard to keep her on a schedual for her feedings, 7 in the AM and 6 in the evening, same as Mags. More than a few times I've caught her storing food in her bed (down the sides and under the blanket) inside her crate. I don't know if this is something she feels she has to do cause she was so used to not being on a schedual and never knowing if she was gonna get food again, or if she's just being resourceful. I feel bad if I take it out though, if it makes her feel better knowing it's there and she won't starve, then I'm ok with that. But, on the other hand, I don't know if leaving it there is such a good idea, there's times I have tried to feed her at the normal time and she doesn't want to eat, my thought is, she just showed down on her stash in her bed, lol. What would ya'll so? Leave it there or take it out?

That poor girl! You have only had her two months. If she was hungry for a long time it will take a long time for that memory to leave her. I would let her store some food if it makes her feel better. Just clean it out now and then so it doesn't get stale.

I once rescued a little Sheltie that had been eating out of trash cans most of it's life. I couldn't keep her but found her a good home. Those people had to keep the trash tightly covered for the rest of that little one's life because she always wanted to check out the trash. Hopefully once you little girl learns to trust you she will get over this. Healthy treats a couple of times a day might help, too.

That makes me sad poor Jazzie. This is one of the reasons I free feed because I would feel terrible if Callie didn't have access to food when she was hungry.

Awe, so glad to hear the sheltie found a good forever loving home. Doesn't it just break your heart though that they've had to "get used to" doing such things just to survive :-( I give Old Mother Hubbard treats, it took her the longest time to even eat one though, she'd just carry it around in her mouth looking for somewhere to hide it. I've actually found those treats in her bed stashed as well :-(

I'd love to be able to free feed, but my Lil Miss Maggy Mag would turn into Mrs. Porky Pig if I did that, lol. Not only that, I think it would cause serious fighting amongst the girls.

Awh breaks my heart to hear that. What if you put always a bowl of food in her crate for her, or near her bed? Some dried kibble. If you are concerned about the amount she is getting of food a day; just measure what you put into her "stash bowl", then eyeball it daily as it goes down. Replenish when stale or needed. Keep feeding her regularly in the kitchen or where ever you choose to feed her. But let her see always in "her" spot a bowl with food in it.

That made me cry:cry: She's a lucky little girl to have a new loving home. I think that her stashing some kibbles isn't hurting anything. Heartbreaking to think of what she went through before you saved her:(

I always feed her and Mags in their individual crate, I like for them to have a space of their own where they can get away from whatever they want and just relax and know that's "their own" personal space and they won't be messed with. I do have concerns about how much she eats daily, but my concern is that she is eating enough. She was only 3 pounds when she came to us and doc wants me to try and get some weight on her before her spay. That's a wonderful idea though about measuring her stash and then calculating how much needs to be added to her bowl. To be totally honest, that though just never even crossed my mind, been to worried about making her comfy and feeling loved and not afraid. Thank you for the wonderful advice!

Believe me, it makes me cry to, and I just don't have the heart to take it out of her bed. When I first found it, she was sitting right there watching me, the look on her precious lil face, oh it broke my heart, I think she thought she was in trouble. So, I tossed it cause I didn't know how long it had been there and I didn't want her eating stale yucky food, so I put some fresh back in it for her. When I was done, she went into her crate, nosed around to make sure it was there and then laid down like she was still in trouble :-( Poor girl, I wished I could take every bad feeling or memory away from her and just fill her heart up with nothing but love, love and more love.

Sad! I would just let her store it, but I am a VERY relaxed parent (skinned or hairy kids lol)

hi beabble, oh jazzies story made me cry.
it is so sad that poor baby had to live like that.
i am so glad she has a safe happy home now.

I am bawling here!!! That poor sweet baby. I am so glad she is in a good place now!!

Smokey does this too. He was a puppy mill dog and was switched between 5 different places in his first 6 months of life before living with us. He's been with us since October of 2007 and still does this, but it's only with special things. One time DH forgot to put the leftover bread away that he was eating and we found it the next morning between the wall and the dresser with clothes piled around it. I don't know if he does it because of his past, or just because that's just his personality. I let him do it though.

Awww, bless her little heart:love: I think with a little more time, and your loving care, she will mostly forget about her former life, especially once she realizes that she doesn\'t have to go hungry, and she\'s not "punished" for stashing kibbles.

Since you have to fatten her up some, have you thought about giving her a spoonful of some canned food, or maybe some cottage cheese or yogurt?

I would leave it when she gets more used to your household and sees she doesnt have to do it she wont anymore. Poor baby! Bless you for rescuing her