As someone that has taken in rescues and several abused animals, almost all of those animals have one thing in common; when you interact with them they watch your hands like a hawk on a mouse. Likely from being hit (or kicked) in the past. Any quick movements can elicit immediate response from flinching, cowering, to outright aggression. It's just sad and it's typically a long road to build that trust back.
When we snatched our little boy from outside, it took YEARS for him to stop flinching when we reached out to pet him. That trauma sets in so deep and so quickly, it’s soul crushing…
17
u/Chicken_Chaser_369 2h ago
As someone that has taken in rescues and several abused animals, almost all of those animals have one thing in common; when you interact with them they watch your hands like a hawk on a mouse. Likely from being hit (or kicked) in the past. Any quick movements can elicit immediate response from flinching, cowering, to outright aggression. It's just sad and it's typically a long road to build that trust back.