JESSE was born in Salt Lake City, UT in Nov 1997. He lived his whole life in an approximately 5’ x 15’ kennel run with two brothers, mom & dad. He had not been around people or other dogs during this time. He was never given a name, never had a collar or leash on, never was inside his owner’s home and was fed with the others and most likely had to compete for his food. There were two small boxes (probably the size of a #400 crate or large size kennel) with a plywood shelf over the top for shelter for five adult Vizslas. This is where he lived his entire life no matter what the weather was. The owner also never cleaned the feces from the kennel so Jesse lived in filth.

He was rescued by Rebecca the Utah Rescue Coordinator on April 19, 1999. I met Rebecca in Wyoming, halfway between Fort Collins and Salt Lake City to make the transfer. Jesse had never been in a crate before or in a car. He had been tranquilized but he was terrified.

During his first days at my home, he began to bond with me. He was terrified to be outside, whether on a leash or not. I believe it was because he didn’t have any wire around him and he felt very vulnerable. I was afraid that he would bolt and get away if I took him off leash. So he spent all his time with me in my office. He began to relax and would go into my bedroom and bring one of my stuffed toys off my bed into my office. He wouldn’t chew it; he just brought it in. I would put the toy back and he would go back and get it or another one. It took him awhile to sleep on a dog bed; he would just lie on the carpet.

Jesse did slip his collar after we had him six days and he was gone like a greyhound chasing a rabbit lure. We found him after about an hour and he was trying to make it to us, but he got spooked and bolted again. This time we didn’t find him and after over two hours looking for him, we went home. It was now about 7:45 PM, Saturday, April 25^th. This was the last day it snowed before summer, it had been drizzling most of the day. About 10:15 PM I heard a noise on our front deck and there he was in the driveway trying to find his way into the garage. He was so glad to see me; he buried his head in my chest as if to tell me that he was so glad to be back home and he would never do that again. He was exhausted. He let me dry him off and then he went to bed. I knew then that he would never run away from us again. And, he never did. He did jump over the fence when he could do it, but he would come around to the front of the house to be let in.

JESSE is 100% non-aggressive. He will defend himself if he is pushed past his limit. He is not a fear biter. He will avoid confrontation at all possible costs. He did not trust people, but now has gained partial trust. He will let some strangers pet him in my backyard. He had on a cloth collar when I got him. I had trouble controlling him on the leash, he would drag me. I put a chain choker on him and he calmed down, almost like night and day. I assume that he was more than willing to give control over to me instead of him being in control of his destiny.

He likes routine and gets nervous when his routine is changed. We fenced off a side yard to separate some of the dogs and he was real nervous about his. He didn’t understand why all the dogs were not together.

He does like to play with his playmate, Aspen. Jesse raised Aspen from an 8 week old puppy. He was so gentle with Aspen and would let him do anything he wanted with him. I think Jesse didn’t quite know what Aspen was. It was so cute watching the two of them. I think they bonded because my older dogs wouldn’t have anything to do with either of the pups (Jesse & Aspen). Jesse also will play with toys and chew on nylabone toys. He likes to play with a tennis ball and will catch it if you throw it up in the air.

He likes his crate and feels safe there. He also doesn’t like to have his crate moved to a different location. So it has been in the same place for over 5 years. I taught him to get into my lap by taking hold of his front legs and holding him across my lap, letting him know that it was ok. He now gets in my lap just about every night, if he is in the living room before he goes to bed. I have found that you have to physically show Jesse that a particular action is ok. He is afraid to try it on his own, probably fearful of a very negative reaction (like beating, I don’t know). I have taken him on walks by the river and down the road. When a car comes down the road while I am walking him, he would get as far as the leash would allow and crouch down and squint his eyes, just waiting for it to come and hurt him.

After I had him for about five months, I took him with some of my other dogs and we went down the road to a large field and I let him off leash, he did real well. The next time I put a long nylon line on him and let him go, he was a little confused and started in the direction of home. I called him and he did come back. Now I can let him off leash in that field and he has a ball running and having fun and wading in the pond.

In the summer we got a wading pool and he just loves it. He learned from one of my other dogs that spends a lot of time in the pool, that it is a fun thing to do. My other Vizsla gets in the pool and lies down in the water. So what does Jesse do, he gets in the pool and lies down in the water.

He is good with cats. He doesn’t even seem interested in them. One cat sleeps on the couch by my side and when Jesse gets in my lap he is very careful not to disturb or hurt the cat.

Jesse knows his name, the command "Jesse come have to go potty?", "lets go to bed", "out", "COOKIE", "sit" ,"down", "daddy" as in "where’s daddy?". He has learned all this in the first year that we had him. Last year, 2003, I taught him to sit  up and beg. He looks so cute. And, he will even do it without the command if he thinks there is a possibility that he might get a treat. One time I was dishing up the dry dog food in each pan, I turned around and there he was begging quietly. I had to laugh. He has come a long way, but still is cautious of my husband.

Jesse has found his forever home with Rita & Rick and become CWVRG’s official mascot.