**Update 25/7/20**

Baby Bear is now flourishing in a new home, thank you so much everyone!

**Update 25th March 2020**

Baby Bear is beginning to come down a little and not be so reactive to people, the potential is still there of course but he will now trust his keeper enough to feed and clean him him out and he has managed to wander the garden and enjoy little strokes. It is going to take a long time and we have budgeted to £200 per month for behavioural work. Therefore Balto will need as much support as possible over the coming months so we will continue to help as much as we can, by keeping this fundraiser open.

We are also getting food to Bear and he does eat a lot bless him!

Thank you so much everyone x

**Update 1st March**

**When Bear arrived, he was underweight and very, very scared.He has since been fed up to 6 times a day plus treats etc. to stop any dopamine drops and spikes....when it drops that can cause dogs to become more reactive, plus he was hungry and resource guarding. so, we are now able to remove bowls from him etc. with no reaction at all.

Bear is also experiencing cold turkey at the moment (for reasons we can only surmise) meaning he can have mood swings, the shakes, anxiety flare ups etc. etc.. So yesterday was a great day, eyes soft, body soft and whilst abit growly at times, was better. Today, the behaviourist could tell immediately he was tense, his body was rigid and when she tried to enter he went for her, it didn't matter whether she was entering or leaving he really wanted to have a go. The Behaviourist was calm obviously and made sure he didn't have a reaction he needed to be fearful of. She left him a while, then went again, growly but able to go in and less reacting, and the third time in he was relaxed and no problem at all. As soon as the right opportunity arises, Bear will be moved to a quiet location with the Behaviourist so extra work can be done, but he isn't ready to move out of his area yet safely.

Bear really has been through it poor lad and baby bear steps are all that can be taken at the moment, it's not going to be a quick fix **

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Balto & Co and Team Poundie became aware of Baby Bear, just like so many other dogs needing help, but this boy has broken our hearts already.....

We are grateful that Baby Bear hasn't been dumped, put to sleep or handed in to just anywhere, but at only 12 months old we fear the worst, he is completely broken. This once big daft happy lad, lies shivering in a corner absolutely petrified. You can't get near him, he reacts as he cannot run away, he thinks your going to hurt him. To say he has hit rock bottom would be an understatement!

With a strong suspicion that baby bear has endured beatings, been witness to things no dog should see and feel, he wouldn't understand what has happened and why after all this his family aren't there anymore: How can Baby Bear understand he is now safe, where he will only ever receive kindness and love and where no one will ever put their hands on him - unless it is with nothing but tender loving care ever, for the rest of his life.

We thought Baby Bear would go into foster, he had some wonderful offers but with his broken body and mind, we now know that's not possible. Then it became quickly obvious kennels would finish him, so here we are.....between us - holding him, praying we can get some help. Because we now have a behaviourist who is coming in daily, trying to gain trust. To be able to clean his space, collect his bowls that he now hoards in his bed, to stroke him, to whisper those words "we got you!" is all we ask of him.

We can't turn our backs on him, no matter what happens but we can't help Baby Bear alone. It's going to take time, lots of time.......which means money. It always comes down to money! Baby Bear needs expert hands to help repair him or we will lose him.

There are so many things we would like to say and do, but they won't help Baby Bear. Baby Bear is just another statistic in a world where welfare is a word used to get benefits, not protect animals........in our world it's very different.

Each session is between £30 & £50 depending on the time needed, it's like a ticking time bomb, we don't have time to save - we can't waste one moment in the work needed to save Baby Bears life, because if we stall we could lose any hope. Baby Bear could go past the point of no return and we will never get the chance to repair the damage again.

If you know Balto & Co, you will know this won't be taken lying down - they will fight for him and so will Team Poundie. Baby Bear wasn't born like this, he has been traumatised.

Please help us save Baby Bear xx