Dolly

* Very important *

Dolly is a special needs dog – her new home must be willing to provide and care for Dolly’s health requirements. She has recently been diagnosed Cushing’s Disease. This will require ongoing vet check ups for monitoring, including blood tests, and the cost of daily medication for the remainder of her life (currently prescribed one x 30mg Vetoryl capsule per day, which can easily be snuck into her food).

Summary:

. cat friendly

. reduced sight, nearly deaf, snores

. ideally re-homed with a calm dog of her choosing, likely to be male

. low energy but still enjoys slow (very slow) sniffs and waddles around the neighborhood

. uses a dog door

. low shed, however her coat requires a quick seed/burr/knot check after walks and she requires regular grooming

. not suitable for a family with young children (who might try to pick her up and carry her, and Dolly stealing food from youngsters)

. not suitable for frail people or those unsteady on their feet – initially she followed and kept very close to her foster-carer – she was a trip hazard!

. best suited to a home where someone is home *most* of the time

. requires a home committed to medicate her daily and undertake vet checkups

Dolly is a very much loved and delightful little granny-dog. Dolly dedicated her life to providing loving companionship to her family. She is in ARF care only because fading health of her elderly humans made caring for her impossible. Now in her twilight time, Dolly has earned and deserves a special home where all the comfort, love and attention she willingly gave, can be repaid to her.

Dolly is a smooch, she loves to self-scratch her back on carpet, lie in a bed near the windows in the sun, and go on ‘sniffari’. She’s not a fast mover and she doodles and waddles along at a very-slow-sniffy-pace. She’s happy to go out for between 10 mins and an hour, depending on weather and how she feels on the day. Dolly meets new dogs appropriately, with a short sniff or she just ignores them. She’s always up for a pat from strangers. Dolly is a happy and quiet car-traveller. She sleeps in a dog basket on the floor, next to her foster-carer’s bed. Her snorts and snores are endearing.

Dolly has been living happily in foster care with a middle-aged small male dog, and likes his company. She follows him about around the house, the garden and when out and about. Since starting Cushing’s medication, Dolly’s obsession for food has slightly declined, however she is always up for any extra she can find. Food cannot be left out for ‘grazing’ and she needs to be fed separate from other pets. Dolly is certain to steal food from very young children, so she needs to be closely watched when any little people or grandchildren visit.

Dolly has some sight, but is almost deaf. Her foster-carer has never heard her growl. Dolly does communicate with her people, making ‘grumbly-mumbly’ noises which can escalate to become short shrill barks. However, Dolly only makes noise for a reason – she likes a routine, and likes to remind her people to get out of bed/get her breakfast/go for a sniff/it’s bedtime. Her coat does not shed, so she will require regular grooming. Dolly is not super enthusiastic about being brushed, and will just walk away when she’s had enough.

Dolly likes to know where her people are, and will search out members of the family if she can’t easily see them. If she barks, a general wave in her direction so she can see her people are about, usually settles her. Dolly has experienced some separation anxiety, but it seems she has been happy enough if she left for a short time, with another dog she likes. She barks for a short time, then settles, often found asleep just behind the front door upon return.

If you think you can meet Dolly’s needs, Karen and Dolly would love to learn more about you and your home.