From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:
Want to let you know my new rescue Barrymore is – um – making progress. I have never seen such panic and abandonment issue in my life. Pitiful boy, barks constantly unless he has company, whines the rest of the time. He fears being left alone in a box. He does not understand houses or stairs. He is out of control. I can see why they wanted him put down. We are working him. Dr “Vet” gives Valium and another new anxiety med.
He doesn’t rest unless every light is out. His poor body is frazzled. We are also doing holistic care, homeopathy, pulsatilla and aconite. My heart bleeds for this guy. I want all you rescue people to know I will not give up or abandon him.
He cannot blend with my pekingese’s at all. No dog issues; he just can’t see them, steps on everything. Not blind or deaf, I tested him myself.
Here is a question for you veterinary experts out there: If Barry were human I’d feel he has ADD and bi-polar rapid cycle. Any one seen this in dogs? At any rate, he is exercised, I have a farm with good fences and plenty of room, he Tesla and Ricco run for hours and have adventures in the grove.
He will not be a quick fix. But with such fear I am even more dogged (pun) to help him. I feel that way about the neediest ones. Gotta fix them, then let them go to forever homes. I’m wondering- he is happiest with other larger dogs. When he bonds with the pack I don’t know if he can tolerate another abandonment. We will see. Riggs is committed totally. This dog is gorgeous, great lines, sleek and postures very well. A hunter would love this one. But many hunters don’t treat their dogs well. Like- if they don’t catch animals they don’t eat.
Compassion is not easy. When we see something like this it would be so pleasant to walk away. Let someone else handle it. I can’t do that. How could I live with myself? Anyone else would have him put down. But I won’t. I will stick with him. As will Riggs. Sometimes it is hard to do the right thing. But there are so many suffering sentient beings, we just have to start now! There are plenty of needy beings and no reason to wait. So it is work. Duh, so is life! Anyone’s! So dig in and help. Dear Barrymore has decimated his bachelor pad. That’s OK. Stuff can be fixed, or bought. Barrymore is one cherished life, not replaceable. He will die and be reborn, like us all. Meanwhile, he is one precious life. I love life, and compassion. This is a no quitting zone!
OM MANI PEDME HUNG!
Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo. All rights reserved
I have never known such compassion as you and Riggs are showing to Barrymore. I was only with him a short time and I felt I was loosing it with his constant barking. I could see his distress but I didn’t know how to help. You are,as always, an inspiration.
(tears) Thank you Precious Teacher…
A friend of mine got a rescue dog, totally traumatized, destroying everything. She tried trainers and meds but nothing worked. She found something called thunder shirt. It is a fitted wrap that calms down the dog’s nervous system – she said it worked instantly – new dog and only $36. Check it out at thundershirt.com
Thank you, Jetsunma, for showing us compassion in action, no matter how challenging and inconvenient it is to really care and do something for a suffering sentient being. I am holding Barrymore in my prayers, as you have taught us to do – he is not over there, in Maryland, but here in my heart and it is my privilege to honour his life and on his behalf give thanks to all the Buddhas for his great fortune in meeting up with our Precious Guru.