We first met Marshall in December after his door threshold phobia clip was published on YouTube and stopped me cold in the midst of a funny dog video search. It was the least funny, most deeply affecting video I had seen in some time, and considering how strongly his plight resonated with our readers, this good news update will be most welcome.
This snippet from his rescuer bears repeating for those who missed the first article: Marshall makes it over the threshold! Marshall spent ten years in a puppy mill and is now learning how to be a dog. His first week home with us he finally learned to come through the door. Puppy mills are known for slamming the dogs heads in the door to frighten them so much that even if they escape their cages they won’t challenge the door. Marshall had an enormous fear of thresholds. This was a huge first step for him. For more about Marshall visit: http://sharkeypup.com/content/marshall
The first video, repeated for the sake of newcomers:
.
Now let’s put that ugliness behind us – because Marshall has broken ties with his past and in just a few short weeks, he is starting to look like a new dog.
Feeling better yet? Imagine Marshall’s relief at learning that the door to a home is actually welcoming, and not a physical threat. It’s just one of the many steps he will take on his long journey to cast off the mental and emotional chains that bind him to his puppy mill days, and as promised, we intend to follow his encouraging progress and offer updates as available.
My heart won’t have it any other way.
If you are as impressed as I am at Marshall’s progress, please learn more about the remarkable woman who is bringing him out of his shell. Read The Dogs at Kayenta, then see the chipin donation widget on the right hand side of your screen. Susan R. Stoltz is doing the hard work that so many of us cannot, and all she needs to continue to make the world a better place for dogs is a few dollars. A fair trade, no?
