Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 22:44:25 GMT
Please read Florence's details carefully before deciding whether or not to submit an application.
Applications which do not meet the criteria will not be contacted.
Florence came into the rescue alongside another chihuahua who she had grown up with, both having spent their entire lives being treated, in the owner's words, as “baby substitutes”. Both had been carried everywhere, never been allowed to go out in the garden, never worn a collar nor been taken for walks. They had their own bedroom and only ever toileted on puppy-pads. Following the unexpected arrival of a real baby and the subsequent lack of attention, they became depressed and bewildered. The decision was made to find them homes where they could once again be the primary focus. Once in foster, it was clear the two dogs were not bonded and would benefit from separate homes. So, please meet Florence, (aka Flo)!
Flo is a 7 yr old full breed chihuahua, currently being fostered in Dereham, Norfolk alongside four other chi crosses, two of whose company she likes and two of whom she tolerates, growling at them if they get too close to her when she is resting.
Following a routine check-up at vet's when Florence first came into rescue, and a subsequent x-ray on her back legs, it became clear that she has a medial pateller luxation in both legs, with the trochlear groove being virtually flat. In layman's terms this that the deep grooves that Flo's kneecaps are supposed to snuggle into are not there, causing the kneecaps to keep sliding off to the sides.
In addition to this Flo has a marked valgus deformity in both femurs. This is a congenital condition in which the bones are twisted outwards from the centre of the body, causing some degree of pain.
Operations are available to correct both these conditions but since Flo has been managing okay for 7 years, implying the pain is at a manageable level, the vet suggested simply trying pain relief medication initially to make her more comfortable. It is very possible that Flo's warning growls to the other dogs mentioned above, are simply down to her feeling the need to remind them she is there as her medical issues make her somewhat vulnerable.
Flo is currently on Metacam Oral suspension 10ml, of which she can have up to 8 drops a day mixed in with her food. This does mean she needs 6 monthly check-ups and blood tests to ensure both that the medication is not having any adverse effects internally, and that it is still providing an adequate level of pain relief. Flo's fosterer reports a great improvement in her mobility since being on the Metacam.
It is now possible for Florence to be taken two fairly short walks a day. She has got used to wearing a collar and being out on a lead, and is now thoroughly enjoying being out in the fresh air, walking well on the lead. She is sharing the foster home with cats, and if alongside other cat friendly dogs she ignores them, but will follow other dogs' lead, so if they bark she will too. A home with dog friendly cats, and cat friendly dogs would therefore be considered. Flo has not been tested around small furries so we would be looking for a home where there are none present. Flo's recall is very good, especially if she thinks there's the possibility of a treat!
Flo loves everyone she meets, becoming very excited when visitors call round and presents them with one of her toys in return for some attention. Any visitor that dares to ignore her is greeted with a volley of barks which will only stop once they have said hello to her! This level of excitement is the same when meeting people while out on walks. She loves being made a fuss of. Aside from using them as bribes for attention, Flo rarely bothers with toys.
There are no young children in the foster home but while out she will allow any that approach to stroke her without issue. She does become anxious if they attempt to pick her up though so we are looking for a home where the resident children are aged 10+ and able to understand that dogs sometimes need space, and are able to respect what Flo is not comfortable with.
Due to Florence's up-bringing of never being allowed to toilet outside and grown accustomed to using puppy pads for seven years, house-training remains a problem area requiring further work. Some progress has been made in the foster home but Flo still chooses to mostly toilet indoors, even taking herself off inside while out in the garden to do so.
Florence loves her food and will happily accept treats from anyone good enough to offer them. Because of her complete excitement at seeing food of any kind and her habit of spinning in circles when overcome with joy, her fosterer has been unable to focus Flo's attention long enough to teach any of the basic commands. She would benefit in on-going training, teaching her to focus and remain calm when asked.
Sleeping is one of Florence's great loves in life and she will happily settle anywhere providing there is a blanket she can get under. She travels well, curling up under a blanket in her little bed for the duration of the journey. At home she loves to be on her pillow on the top of the radiator or, if possible, on somebody's lap.
During the night she has been sleeping in the bed with her fosterer but will sleep in a crate throughout the night if necessary.
Flo copes well with being left at home although her penchant for getting up to mischief and lack of house-training means she is shut into one room rather than having the run of the whole house. Again she just goes off to sleep, usually on her own, until her owner's return. She has been left for up to four hours with no problems, and could therefore be homed with someone who works a few hours a day.
Florence's love of being fussed means she is happy to be groomed.
Her foster Mum has this to add:
“florence is an gem of a dog, she is very strong willed & will let you know. She will go to all lengths to try & get food or a cuppa tea, even getting on tables climbing, you tell her no so she gets down, but as soon as you turn your back she's back there again, I know I shouldn't laugh but she really is a character
if asleep & one of the other dogs go pass her she will growl at them, with eyes still closed , she will normally only let missy or belle near when asleep. She is a very strong character. Since the nice weather she has been sunbathing in the garden, I put a blanket down for them & she loves it, although outside she will still sometimes come in for a pooh or wee, it's something she has been taking ages to sort, at least now she doesn't do it in the lounge, but she doesn't always use puppy pads either
flo's coat isn't very thick & underneath she hasn't much at all so she really does feel the cold. She likes cuddles but they have to be on her terms & when she wants it otherwise she will just get off & go, especially if heating is on, she has a pillow on the radiator & loves sleeping there during the day, my sofa is in front so she can get on & off when she wants
flo also has some funny little bit as that she does, when going through a door she usually walks in circles a couple of times, the same when you call her, but when you go to give her food she's like a spinning top, pretty fast circles, she also been known to do the circles when walking.
at feed time you have to watch her because once she's eaten hers she will try & take some of the others....doesn't seem to have any fear at all, I call her my little madam as that is exactly what she is, you can't help but fall in love with her.”
Florence is spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, flea and worm treated
SUMMARY
A calm and quiet home.
Children aged 10+
A commitment to regular vet-checks to monitor Flo's progress
A home where she will be an only dog or where the resident dogs are very calm.
No small furries.
Patient and on-going training to combat the toileting issues.
If you are interested in adopting Pippa please complete our online adoption form here:
www.littledogrescue.co.uk/PreAdoption.html
and someone will give you a call as soon as possible.
Applications which do not meet the criteria will not be contacted.
Florence came into the rescue alongside another chihuahua who she had grown up with, both having spent their entire lives being treated, in the owner's words, as “baby substitutes”. Both had been carried everywhere, never been allowed to go out in the garden, never worn a collar nor been taken for walks. They had their own bedroom and only ever toileted on puppy-pads. Following the unexpected arrival of a real baby and the subsequent lack of attention, they became depressed and bewildered. The decision was made to find them homes where they could once again be the primary focus. Once in foster, it was clear the two dogs were not bonded and would benefit from separate homes. So, please meet Florence, (aka Flo)!
Flo is a 7 yr old full breed chihuahua, currently being fostered in Dereham, Norfolk alongside four other chi crosses, two of whose company she likes and two of whom she tolerates, growling at them if they get too close to her when she is resting.
Following a routine check-up at vet's when Florence first came into rescue, and a subsequent x-ray on her back legs, it became clear that she has a medial pateller luxation in both legs, with the trochlear groove being virtually flat. In layman's terms this that the deep grooves that Flo's kneecaps are supposed to snuggle into are not there, causing the kneecaps to keep sliding off to the sides.
In addition to this Flo has a marked valgus deformity in both femurs. This is a congenital condition in which the bones are twisted outwards from the centre of the body, causing some degree of pain.
Operations are available to correct both these conditions but since Flo has been managing okay for 7 years, implying the pain is at a manageable level, the vet suggested simply trying pain relief medication initially to make her more comfortable. It is very possible that Flo's warning growls to the other dogs mentioned above, are simply down to her feeling the need to remind them she is there as her medical issues make her somewhat vulnerable.
Flo is currently on Metacam Oral suspension 10ml, of which she can have up to 8 drops a day mixed in with her food. This does mean she needs 6 monthly check-ups and blood tests to ensure both that the medication is not having any adverse effects internally, and that it is still providing an adequate level of pain relief. Flo's fosterer reports a great improvement in her mobility since being on the Metacam.
It is now possible for Florence to be taken two fairly short walks a day. She has got used to wearing a collar and being out on a lead, and is now thoroughly enjoying being out in the fresh air, walking well on the lead. She is sharing the foster home with cats, and if alongside other cat friendly dogs she ignores them, but will follow other dogs' lead, so if they bark she will too. A home with dog friendly cats, and cat friendly dogs would therefore be considered. Flo has not been tested around small furries so we would be looking for a home where there are none present. Flo's recall is very good, especially if she thinks there's the possibility of a treat!
Flo loves everyone she meets, becoming very excited when visitors call round and presents them with one of her toys in return for some attention. Any visitor that dares to ignore her is greeted with a volley of barks which will only stop once they have said hello to her! This level of excitement is the same when meeting people while out on walks. She loves being made a fuss of. Aside from using them as bribes for attention, Flo rarely bothers with toys.
There are no young children in the foster home but while out she will allow any that approach to stroke her without issue. She does become anxious if they attempt to pick her up though so we are looking for a home where the resident children are aged 10+ and able to understand that dogs sometimes need space, and are able to respect what Flo is not comfortable with.
Due to Florence's up-bringing of never being allowed to toilet outside and grown accustomed to using puppy pads for seven years, house-training remains a problem area requiring further work. Some progress has been made in the foster home but Flo still chooses to mostly toilet indoors, even taking herself off inside while out in the garden to do so.
Florence loves her food and will happily accept treats from anyone good enough to offer them. Because of her complete excitement at seeing food of any kind and her habit of spinning in circles when overcome with joy, her fosterer has been unable to focus Flo's attention long enough to teach any of the basic commands. She would benefit in on-going training, teaching her to focus and remain calm when asked.
Sleeping is one of Florence's great loves in life and she will happily settle anywhere providing there is a blanket she can get under. She travels well, curling up under a blanket in her little bed for the duration of the journey. At home she loves to be on her pillow on the top of the radiator or, if possible, on somebody's lap.
During the night she has been sleeping in the bed with her fosterer but will sleep in a crate throughout the night if necessary.
Flo copes well with being left at home although her penchant for getting up to mischief and lack of house-training means she is shut into one room rather than having the run of the whole house. Again she just goes off to sleep, usually on her own, until her owner's return. She has been left for up to four hours with no problems, and could therefore be homed with someone who works a few hours a day.
Florence's love of being fussed means she is happy to be groomed.
Her foster Mum has this to add:
“florence is an gem of a dog, she is very strong willed & will let you know. She will go to all lengths to try & get food or a cuppa tea, even getting on tables climbing, you tell her no so she gets down, but as soon as you turn your back she's back there again, I know I shouldn't laugh but she really is a character
if asleep & one of the other dogs go pass her she will growl at them, with eyes still closed , she will normally only let missy or belle near when asleep. She is a very strong character. Since the nice weather she has been sunbathing in the garden, I put a blanket down for them & she loves it, although outside she will still sometimes come in for a pooh or wee, it's something she has been taking ages to sort, at least now she doesn't do it in the lounge, but she doesn't always use puppy pads either
flo's coat isn't very thick & underneath she hasn't much at all so she really does feel the cold. She likes cuddles but they have to be on her terms & when she wants it otherwise she will just get off & go, especially if heating is on, she has a pillow on the radiator & loves sleeping there during the day, my sofa is in front so she can get on & off when she wants
flo also has some funny little bit as that she does, when going through a door she usually walks in circles a couple of times, the same when you call her, but when you go to give her food she's like a spinning top, pretty fast circles, she also been known to do the circles when walking.
at feed time you have to watch her because once she's eaten hers she will try & take some of the others....doesn't seem to have any fear at all, I call her my little madam as that is exactly what she is, you can't help but fall in love with her.”
Florence is spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, flea and worm treated
SUMMARY
A calm and quiet home.
Children aged 10+
A commitment to regular vet-checks to monitor Flo's progress
A home where she will be an only dog or where the resident dogs are very calm.
No small furries.
Patient and on-going training to combat the toileting issues.
If you are interested in adopting Pippa please complete our online adoption form here:
www.littledogrescue.co.uk/PreAdoption.html
and someone will give you a call as soon as possible.
