Something happened tonight that gave me a little more insight into Harvey’s psyche. It wasn’t pretty. I mean, Harvey’s memories are not pretty, not the events or Harvey.
We were watching a movie (“Buck”, if you must know – made me want a horse again. Like I ever quit wanting a horse). Harvey was being a good dog: stretched out on his bed and snoring peacefully.
Murphy was being a pill. Don scolded him a few times, but he kept it up. Then he got into the trash. Well, Don got up and scolded him severely (and raised his voice) and ordered him to his own bed on the floor. Really just routine dog ownership stuff.
But not to Harvey. He freaked out. He tucked his tail and made as wide a berth as he could around Don and Murphy and headed for the dark hallway where he shivered and lay down.
Once Don got Murphy settled into his “time out”, we both tried calling and coaxing Harvey back. No dice. I had to go get him and with my hand on his shoulder, gently guide him back to his bed in the living room.
We finished the movie, but Harvey was still acting “off”. He needed extra pats and soft words, which both of us gave him. He did make up to Don and he’s up here in the studio with me and he is finally calmed down.
Someone beat this dog, and they beat him severely.
This dog craves love and attention. He loves to be brushed. He loves to have his chin scratched. He hasn’t a mean bone in his body, but he does have some broken ones.
He has never reacted like this in the two years we have owned him. Tonight, some dark memory was triggered and he relived an event or series of events that left him damaged, mentally and emotionally and possibly physically. Suddenly, a lot of his past behavior is falling into place in my mind.
When we traveled last spring, he often became quite frantic and I had to sit and hold him until he calmed down. He needed to be told he was a good dog, over and over and over. When he ran away last summer, he had this terrified look in his eyes whenever I got close to him. When I finally caught him and we walked home, he had enough time to process the walk so I never had a chance to understand that look in his eyes.
Now I think I understand. He was chased and beaten. Maybe he was beaten for running away. He was hurt. I wonder if that was when his tail was broken? His back legs show signs of having been damaged somehow: I wonder if that was when he got hurt? Whoever did this to him, hurt him a lot.
I think it has a lot to do with why he sometimes eats frantically, as if he is not going to have a chance at another meal. He’s afraid he’s going to be kicked around.
Don felt bad. He was just scolding Murphy. Murphy is over it in ten seconds. “What? I got in trouble? Oh, that was SO ten seconds ago!”
But Harvey took half an hour to calm down, and he was not the dog being scolded!
I told Harvey that there’s a special place in hell for people who do that to dogs. Or any other living creature.
A little more of Harvey’s “story” has come to light. I am reminded, once again, how fortunate I am that he has come into my life. I’m pretty sure that if he could process thoughts in a human way, he would feel the same. He is presently stretched out and snoring peacefully.
I hope I never meet the person who owned Harvey before me. I really, really hope that for their sake. Because it won’t be pretty.
Jaci Dawn 
Oh Jaci.. this just about broke my heart. 😦 How blessed you both are to have each other. He really really needed you… thank God you were willing to search until you found “him”.. {{hugs}}
I’m so glad that Harvey is a young dog, because that means he has many awesome years ahead of him being YOUR dog, Jaci.
Or it could just be his temperament. My dog Blue has never been beaten. I’ve had him since he was born. From the beginning, he crept up to people like he was going to be beaten. I had to teach him to sit to be petted because he crouched so badly.
He is also very sensitive when it comes to what happens to other dogs and to us. Once there were some strays that were killing chickens. My FIL had to catch them and take them away. Blue was there. From then on he was fine with my FIL unless our other dog was around. If Blue was with Harbor, he would growl at Dad.
He went through a couple of years of being very defensive. Anytime a stranger would come near our property, He would growl at them. I started having my perpetual yard sale and would keep him near by me. After a while he got used to strangers, but it took a while.
You know what it is like to be extra sensitive 🙂 You and Harvey are a good match.
Sue – This is not Harvey’s temperament. He’s a dominant dog, outgoing and not at all shy. He’s not quite aggressive, but I had him neutered. I have known dogs like your Blue, dogs that are naturally shy. Harvey is a bold dog. I’m pretty sure he was reacting to a memory since it isn’t his “normal” behavior (and he can be rather obtuse to scolding most of the time). 😉
Blue is lucky to have you.
Animal cruelty just infuriates me. The stray that Lisa has acts as though she had been abused, too. Surprisingly, our Shiloh doesn’t seem to be fearful, despite having been shot. I hope that means that his original owner (who died) was good to him. I’m glad Harvey has you in his life.
Deanna – I bet Shiloh doesn’t like guns. He sounds like such a sweet dog. And, yes – animal abuse does get me. grrrrr.