Reba
Ludowici, Georgia
Female
Age: 3 (2/9/2021)
#15
Healthy!
Adoption Donation: $550
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
⏰ Low alone hours/someone w/ her much of day
🌱 Safe & secure fenced yard
🐶 Canine companion(s) of similar size & temperament
💜 Older, gentle children okay
🛑 If you do not check ALL of the above requirements, your application will not pass the screening process for consideration. We do not compromise on these requirements as we feel they are essential to a successful adoption with Reba.
MEET REBA 🐶
Earlier this year, little Reba was one of over 70 dogs rescued out of a terrible puppy mill. There were no records kept on Reba so we do not know her exact age or date of birth, but believe she is about 3 years old. Over the past couple of months in foster care, Reba has been learning what it is like to be in a home and live as part of a family. She has gotten her first taste of freedom, love, and care and is now ready to make her next and last move to a perfect match furever family to continue learning, blooming, and enjoying her new life!
MEDICAL 🩺
Reba is now a healthy girl! She is now up to date on vaccination, underwent her spay surgery in our care, is microchipped, and on monthly preventatives. After treating her for parasites, her fecal test is now negative as well as her heartworm and tick borne illness test, and her urinalysis and bloodwork is normal. Additionally, her eyes, knees, hips, and heart are clear and congenitally sound at this time. We feel she may suffer from some seasonal/environmental allergies and therefore is receiving a daily antihistamine to help with management of, as well as a lubricating gel in her eyes for her comfort. Otherwise, she is not on any medication and does not require any additional vetting outside of regular wellness checks at this time.
FOOD & POTTY HABITS 🥘
Cute little Reba is on the smaller side and at her ideal weight of 15 pounds. She had to be shaved on intake due to severe matting, but her soft red coat is growing in just beautifully now that she is receiving such great care and nutrition. Reba enjoys her meals just like any Cavalier! This clever little girl will sit when asked and wait nicely for her bowl to be set in front of her before diving in. She eats her twice a day Fromm meals right alongside her Cavalier foster sisters with no issues, and also enjoys healthy treats throughout the day. Some of her favorites are watermelon, blueberries, cucumber, and of course, peanut butter! Her adopting family must remain committed to continuing her strictly portioned meals, healthy treats, and daily activity/exercise to ensure she remains at her ideal weight, best health, and best self!
Smart Reba has done very well with her potty training as she learns all about living in a home for the first time. Now that she knows the routine and environment of her foster home she will even "signal" that she needs to go out to potty by going to the door that goes out to the yard. She is now reliable in her foster home as long as she is given plenty of opportunities outside to be successful including being taken out first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and every few hours in between, including immediately after meals. A yummy treat immediately following good potty behavior will be excellent reinforcement and reward for her. Please know that even though Reba is doing fantastic with her potty training in her foster home, accidents are always to be expected, especially initially while she transitions to another environment and routine. New things can be scary for Reba and so she will need some time to explore and get familiar and comfortable with her new surroundings. Having a resident dog(s) in the home that she can follow their lead and who will help show her the ropes will help her a lot.
PERSONALITY 💕
Reba had very little to no positive human interaction and socialization before rescue so she arrived a very timid and very distrusting little girl. Her foster family has worked hard over the past couple of months to gain her trust and she has started to come out of her shell and show us what a sweet, silly, playful girl that she is! Reba very much wants to feel safe, secured, and loved and needs a gentle, patient family to help her get there at her own time and pace. With some trust now established between her and her foster family, Reba is comfortable snuggling up as close as possible with them, in true Cavalier fashion. She enjoys being rubbed and will fall asleep instantly from a gentle, relaxing, loving touch.
While Reba is timid and unsure of people, she is very socialized and very comfortable with other dogs. This is when we see her really light up and her confident, fearless, and playful side comes out! She loves having a canine playmate and initiates play by getting a toy out of the basket and taunting her Cavalier foster sisters with it, trying to entice them to play with her. Or, she will stealthily steal a toy from her sibling and take off running with it in hopes that they will chase her! She loves toys and loves running, romping, and zooming around and it is an absolute joy to watch her having fun and enjoying her new found freedom! She is an active girl and needs healthy outlets for her energy including plenty of opportunities throughout the day for activity, exercise, play, and engagement.
ROUTINE ⏰
Reba starts her day being let out into the yard for pottying and then in for breakfast. She then spends much of her day with her foster family both inside and outside and where she enjoys plenty of play and also plenty of naps. After dinner, an entertaining Cavalier wrestling match, and last potty outside, Reba darts upstairs and claims her spot in the big bed which is on a pillow right above her foster mom's head. Reba sleeps peacefully through the night knowing she is safe and sound. We are seeking a family who will continue to invite her into the big bed with them. This is excellent for bonding and when Reba gets comfortable with you, she will certainly enjoy the close cuddles. She would not do well being asked to sleep apart from you. We will ask that her family provide pet steps up to the bed so that she can safely get on and off.
Reba spends much of the day with her foster family but for the short periods of time when there are no humans home, Reba and her Cavalier foster siblings have free roam of the downstairs level of the home, with the upstairs gated off, where she has plenty of space, comforts, companionship, and freedom. She can typically be found snuggled up with her foster sisters on the couch until her humans come back home. She has not been crated or otherwise strictly confined while in our care, she does not need to be, and we certainly do not recommend that she is after her past years of confinement. While Reba does well left for short periods of time as long as she has her Cavalier companions with her, she is certainly happiest being with her people and so we are seeking a family where someone is able to be with her much of the day and where she will have low alone hours.
SOCIALIZATION 💜
Reba had no socialization with people prior to rescue so she is cautious, fearful, distrusting, and timid with new people. Her first reaction is to retreat, where her preference is to go under something, like furniture, to hide. If she is then approached, she will dart away in fear of being reached for or grabbed. It is best to be patient and wait for Reba to want to check you out and approach you on her terms - this is best achieved by sitting on the floor where she can see you and lovingly engage with the other dogs in the home in front of her. This will spark Reba's curiosity and want to approach to check this out. At this time, it's still best to somewhat ignore her and let her explore you and the situation without the threat of being reached for, touched, or grabbed. In order for her to start to feel safe and comfortable, you must prove to her that you can be trusted and are safe and good and this of course takes time and giving her space. Reba needs a family who will be very patient with her and give her the time, space, gentle love, and accomodations she needs to begin to feel safe and comfortable in her new home and among her new family. With patience and in time, she will turn into a sweet squishy little love bug who enjoys close cuddles and being with you.
Quick and sudden movements and loud noises will easily startle and scare her which will cause her to retreat until she determines that the threat is over. It is always best to approach her slowly and from the front where she acknowledges you instead of being caught off guard. She likes to keep her eyes on you at all times, for her safety. For example, she will not walk past you to go outside or come inside if you are standing in the doorway because it will put you behind her. Rather, step out of the doorway to be in front of her so she can safely pass. She will be happiest and thrive best in a more quiet, calm adult only home or home with older, gentle children who can understand and respect her need for time and space and allow her to warm up to them on her own accord. She certainly would not do well in a loud, busy home or with a lot of activity or people coming in and out of the house. She does best with a 'small circle' of people that she can learn to trust so a single person or small family unit would be the best placement for her.
While interacting with people is new and scary, Reba has certainly been well socialized with other dogs and does exceptionally well with her Cavalier foster siblings and all other Cavaliers she has met while in rescue. She fit right in and bonded very quickly to her 2 Cavalier foster sisters and her foster family describes them as thick as thieves together! Reba is always with her foster sisters whether it be engaging in play, snuggling up with them to nap, or exploring and running in the yard together. She very much values canine companionship and we see she thrives best having the leadership and companionship of another confident, well socialized, well adjusted resident Cavalier, or other dog of similar size and temperament, to show her the ropes, continue to teach and show her how to be a dog, and be her emotional support furiend! Her ideal canine companion would be another young, energetic, playful friend who will welcome her in, engage in play with her, snuggle with her, and be happy to share his/her toys, space, and bed with Reba - she shares and plays beautifully with others. She has not been around any cats while in our care so we are unsure how she would do with a feline furiend in the home.
IDEAL FAMILY & HOME 🏡
Most importantly Reba needs a patient, loving family who can help her overcome the trauma of her past, has the time to devote to her, and will make her an included and important member of their family. Her family needs to move slowly with her and have realistic expectations for her transition into her new home and family and in regards to her bonding and relationships. Because new things are scary, she thrives best off structure, stability, routine, and knowing what to expect which helps her to feel confident and comfortable. We are seeking a family where someone is able to be with her much of the day for continued potty training, socialization, and opportunities for activity and play, and where she will have low alone time. It is very important that she has a young, active, playful canine companion(s) of similar size and temperament for leadership, companionship, and to be her emotional support furiend.
Her ideal home would have a full toy basket ready for her to pull out each toy one by one! She also needs a safe and secured fenced yard for pottying purposes and so she can continue to enjoy her outdoor freedom in - the more room for her to run the better! She has had some leash training practice with her foster mom whom she now trusts. She walks well when she is with another dog(s) and able to follow their lead but is not comfortable walking by herself. Also, if there are multiple people walking, they must walk in front of her where she can see them all, as she doesn't trust people behind her. She is quite athletic and can fly up and down the stairs. Pet steps up to the furniture should be available and encouraged for her to use, although her foster family explains that when she is playful she fearlessly leaps and flies like a squirrel! Reba rides well in the car, safe and comfortable in her boosted car seat, as long as she has an emotional support furiend with her. Generally speaking, Reba just doesn't do well as an only dog in any scenario and finds a lot of comfort in a canine companion. We will ask that her adopting family get her a car seat and please be prepared to bring your dog with you when you meet/adopt Reba.
HOW TO APPLY 💻
Reba is just the most darling little girl who we are just thrilled for that she now has the opportunity to live her best life now! In her perfect home and family, sweet Reba will continue to find her comfort and confidence in interacting with people and will be able to fully enjoy her amazing new life of freedom, fun, and love! If you feel you're the perfect fit for precious Reba and meet all of her requirements, please fill out an adoption application found on our website (TheCavalierRescue.org) and then email us at CavalierRescueAL@gmail.com to express your interest, letting us know why you feel you are a great match. Reba is located in Ludowici, Georgia, and travel there is required. Reba is available for adoption now, so please only apply if you are able and ready to move forward at this time. Her requested adoption donation is $550.