From the Styx by Peggy Tibbetts

On May 12, Venus and I went to see Dr. Cheryl Pearce at DCAH. It was kind of a big day for us. Venus has been on Clomipramine and undergoing rehabilitation using Cesar Millan’s dog psychology method for six months. Dr. Pearce was really impressed with Venus’s progress. We had a good discussion about how far Venus has come and how far she still has to go.

“I’ve done some more research,” Dr. Pearce said. “And what I’m finding is that the dog needs to achieve normal, stable behavior on the drug and continue that way for six months.”

“Okay. Well Cesar says that play comes last,” I said. “Once a dog can socialize and play well with other dogs off leash, then the dog is showing stability. That happened for Venus in March. With Jodie and Hunter’s help she really crossed a threshold.”

I explained that since March we have seen even more progress. Last October Venus attacked Whitney, a White Shepherd, at Dogland. When she sees Whitney now, Venus is calm and just keeps on walking and sniffing. Whitney is still cautious around Venus but no longer fearful. Another dog Molly, a Pit Bull-type mix, did not get along with Venus. We had been leashing Venus when we saw Molly at the park. About a month ago Venus and Molly met on the trail but Venus ignored her. She was too busy playing with Hunter.

Two weeks ago we met a Blue Heeler named Zip on leash on the trail. He was aggressive and immediately zeroed in on the lovely Venus. She was off leash. He snarled and lunged at her.

I spoke sharply, “Hey. Hey. Hey.” And I moved toward them with my hands on my hips.

Venus didn’t even curl her lip or growl. She backed away and walked a wide path around him. The pit bull settled down. We showered her with praise after that big test.

The following weekend, May 1-3, we went camping near Moab. In the past, travel and camping have been challenging for Venus. She used to get over-anxious and misbehave. This time was very different. She waited calmly during the packing up stage. She and Zeus shared the backseat of the pickup together without so much as a grumble. We camped on public land along Gemini Bridges Road. We didn’t have to tie her at the campsite. She staked out a perimeter and kept us in sight when she checked on things. She’s still a checker. She’s part Akbash after all.

Venus is checking for suspicious lizard activity

The real bonus of the weekend turned out to be Zeus. On Saturday afternoon, while we were hiking in the canyon, a storm rolled in complete with lightning, thunder, wind, hail, and torrential rain. Zeus hates thunder. At first he freaked out, panting and running. I caught up to him and snapped on the leash so he wouldn’t flee in blind terror. We took shelter under an overhanging tree. Venus sat calmly near Zeus to show him there was nothing to fear. Tod and I assured him everything was okay. But we didn’t pet him or touch him because it’s not good to give affection when a dog is fearful. Eventually he calmed down. The thunder lasted long after the rain had stopped. Zeus pulled himself together and hiked out of the canyon, unleashed, even as the thunder rumbled.

“Everything is okay, Zeus,” I said calmly

He snorted with disgust, stood up and walked to the camper door. Tod let him in and turned on the satellite radio.

Zeus is listening for unauthorized noises

While Zeus was chilling out in the camper, some guys on dirt bikes rode up to our campsite. As one of them turned his bike around, the engine stalled. Venus charged up to him and barked, then retreated calmly. Her reaction was perfect.

We celebrated Zeus and Venus’s big day with BBQ chicken – their favorite. To top it off they shared the table bed that night with no troubles.

Dr. Pearce agreed that Venus is showing all kinds of progress. “Let’s make sure she can handle all the summer activities and the changes in your schedule.”

I told Dr. Pearce about our neighbors. “We haven’t had any complaints or problems with them lately. But that doesn’t mean anything. We’ve gone for months thinking everything was cool with them and then they call the cops. They will be home more during the summer which means there will be a lot of negative energy directed at us and the dogs. So there’s that, too.”

“I think it’s best for Venus and everyone involved if she stays on the 75 milligrams,” Dr. Pearce. “In September we can re-evaluate her progress and maybe begin weaning her off the drug.”

The last thing we want is a re-lapse. Venus is still making progress on the Clomipramine, she’s learning and remembering what she’s learned. She knows how to calm herself down, she knows how to calm Zeus down. Now she needs to practice, practice, practice.

Since lots of people have been asking how the dogs are getting along, I’ll continue to post progress updates throughout the summer. I can’t wait to see how Zeus handles fireworks on the 4th this year. He usually goes completely insane.

Read the Crazy Bitch series.

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