From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:
Hello All. We were worried that we would have to keep Barrymore (Carolina red bone coonhound) at our rescue. He is the strongest dog we’ve ever rescued. He is a monster hound. We think he has been crated a lot when young. He is clumsy, unable to read his environment hyper, doesn’t know how to play or relate. Here is the kicker- he doesn’t know to use his nose! His brain was made to sniff ground, to locate prey etc. He sniffs high, like that’s all he had from his kennel. We have been trying to help him use his nose, as I am sure it will re-boot his brain and instincts. We hide things low. He smells up. If he smells at all!
So far a Kong toy works best. We can put yummy meat in the middle and pack both sides tightly with vegetables, which he won’t work for. At first he couldn’t figure it out. Now he goes till it is gone! Next we will put lines of gravy or butter that he must sniff to get the prize. Next we buy raccoon piss and teach him how his nose works. I feel that his brain will unscramble. Last night he sat for two hours utterly calm and focused on sniffing out and eating his Kong, veggies and all!
I think he is an emotional wreck because he is not using his greatest sense and is unaware and confused. Fearful, like a blind child in a totally new, scary and huge environment. I feel for him. Even wonder if he was a medical test dog. He is not used to human eyes. Makes me want to cry for the cruelty we blissfully and ignorantly force animals to endure with no conscience at all. So you know I can’t give up on him. He has probably suffered more than most of us. Then he was to die after it all. So I will not give up on Barry’s fabulous heritage, nor will I permit him to live one more day without family, comfort and love. OM MANI PEDME HUNG!
It will take time and love. And soon, raccoon pee, which will likely do the trick. Won’t that be a day? When his natural intelligence again shines in his eyes because his nose is doing the job? Wow. Will I cry? Yep. Buckets. I believe that all sentient beings are inherently equal in nature. We all want to be happy, and are pretty clueless how to be happy, or create the causes for happiness. We are all equally Buddha, from the kings and queens down to the lowest worm. We are a little like Barrymore, I think. We just don’t see. And won’t shut up (baying) so we can see. Stop making so much noise. Use your innate capability and acquired method to work your own mind! Then we can all open our eyes and see the universe as it truly is. Breathtaking.
OM TARA TUTTARE TURE SOHA!
Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo. All rights reserved
Thank you, Jetsunma…for your immense kindness toward Barry, your example of persistence and not giving up, and your compassion for all of us who are confused and senseless!
Fearful, like a blind child in a totally new, scary and huge environment.
This reminds me of an English student of mine, M. Jin. Tossed into an American university with no support, minimal English skills. She hides under her ball cap and all you can see is her delicate hands shake. Then she looks up with wide, terrified eyes. I want to bail her out of at least one of her four classes (four! Three would be too much since she also has to do a senior thesis) just to get some of the pressure off of her. Am considering talking to her professors on her behalf, if she’ll let me, see if she can take an incomplete for her English class….
Having lived with Barry, for a time,felt so sad for him. I wondered what kind of history he had. Knew that terrible abuse had to have been a factor. I have confidence that he is with his teacher and am happy for him. Yes, he is a handful to say the least. I think he will find his true self with Jetsunma. Thank you for taking him on as you did the rest of us.