Shelly

Hoover, Alabama
Female Age: 2 16# Health: KCS (dry eyes), left luxating patella (asymtomatic), otherwise healthy! Adoption donation: $400
SHELLY | HOOVER, ALABAMA AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION ⏰ Low alone hours/someone with her much of day 🌱 Safe & secure outdoor space 🐶 Canine companion of similar size & temperament 💜 Older, gentle children okay 🚘 Driving distance to vet ophthalmologist 🛑 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 Shelly. MEET SHELLY 🐶 Earlier this year we welcomed in cute Shelly who was one of eightdogs that we took in from a bad breeding operation that was closing down. Because there were no records kept on the dogs, we do not know Shelly's date of birth or age, but believe she is about 2 years old. We have spent the past several months working hard to reverse all the damage that was done during her time in the puppy mill and we are happy to report that she is hardly recognizable from the poor baby that arrived to us neglected and suffering. Shelly has also been learning what it is like to be in a home and live as part of a family, has gotten her first taste of freedom, love, and care and is happy and thriving! She is now ready to make her next and last move to a perfect-match furever family to continue learning, blooming, and enjoying the good life! MEDICAL 🩺 Shelly arrived to us with completely dry eyes (producing no tears) and we discovered that her tear glands, in both eyes, had been excised. For most dogs with dry eye, we just have to work to stimulate the tear gland to produce more, but in Shelly's case there was no tear gland to stimulate and therefore no tears to be produced. Without tears, not only are the eyes very dry, uncomfortable, and painful, but it creates many serious secondary issues like ulcerations, infections, and vision loss, which Shelly was already experiencing. The only solution for Shelly was to re-route her salivary gland to her eyes so that her eyes could be adequately lubricated by her saliva. While saliva is not the same as tears, it does the same good work to keep her eyes lubricated and comfortable and prevents all those secondary issues from occurring. We are happy to report that the surgery was a success and that Shelly's eyes are now within normal "tear production" levels, albeit with her saliva. She does still remain on 3 daily eye drops which she will likely be on for life, and she also needs to remain under the care of a veterinary ophthalmologist to ensure her eyes remain properly managed. Shelly's eyes are now well managed and her heart and hips are clear and congenitally sound at this time. Her right knee is also clear but her left knee luxates (has instability). This knee does not give her any problems at this time as evident by this little circus dog dancing around on her hind legs! Avoiding jumping and maintaining a lean weight will help keep it that way. She would do best and be most comfortable with stairs that have carpet or treads for traction, and she should be encouraged to use pet steps to safely access on and off furniture to prevent jumping. Shelly is now up to date on vaccinations, was spayed and underwent a dental in our care, is microchipped, and on monthly preventatives. Additionally, all of her labwork including her fecal test, heartworm and tick borne illness test, urinalysis, and bloodwok is all normal and negative. She is not on any oral medications (just the eye drop medications) and also a daily joint supplement to support her luxating patella. She is otherwise a healthy young girl! FOOD & POTTY HABITS 🥘 Precious little Shelly is on the smaller side and at her ideal weight of 16 pounds. Her beautiful tri color coat continues to grow in wonderfully now that she is receiving such great care and nutrition. Like most Cavaliers, she loves food and is always eager and excited for her twice a day meals and treats throughout the day. Because her salivary gland is now responsible for her tear production, it is important to stimulate the salivary gland regularly throughout the day by offering her small tasty treats to ensure her eyes stay well lubricated. Of course Shelly happily obliges to her prescription of "extra" treats 😊 She eats her Fromm kibble meals in the kitchen and always licks her bowl clean. She eats with some distance between the other Cavaliers in the home to ensure no one ventures to another's bowl. 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! Shelly has done very well with her potty training as she learns all about living in a home for the first time. She is now fully acclimated to her foster home, is comfortable with the environment and routine, and is reliable as long as she is given plenty of opportunities outside to be successful. She should be taken out first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and every few hours in between, including immediately after meals. She does not 'signal' or 'alert' that she needs to go out and so it is up to you to be diligent in taking her out frequently and regularly. Being treat motivated, a yummy high value treat immediately following good potty behavior will be excellent reinforcement for her. Please know that even though Shelly 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. Changes and new things are scary for Shelly and so we expect she will be a bit hesitant initially to move about freely in the yard of a new home. A loose leash may be a good way to start with her while she takes some time to explore and get to know her new surroundings and start to figure out that she is safe. Having another resident dog in the home to help show her ropes and that she can follow their lead will help too. PERSONALITY 💕 Shelly likely had very little to no positive human interaction before rescue so she arrived into her foster home very timid and nervous. But we have seen her bloom so much now that she knows she is somewhere safe and loved. She has really come out of her shell and has shown us what a super sweet, silly, and snuggly, and little girl that she is! In fact, she has even been given the nickname of "velcro" because in true Cavalier fashion, she wants to be as close to you as possible all the time. She is still initially distrusting of new people and so it does take her some time to warm up to you but once trust has been established and she knows you are good, she's your best friend. This means that her new family is going to need to be very patient and gentle with her and give her plenty of time and support while she works to build that trust and bond with you. Because of this, we believe she will do best with a smaller circle of people - a single person or a small family unit. In her foster mom, she is closest with her foster mom whom she shares a pillow with at night and enjoys lots of lap time and cuddle time with. When she isn't being a cute little cuddle bug, she is being a happy, active, playful 2 year old girl enjoying toys and play! She is very playful with her people and with the other furry furiends in her foster home. She loves stuffed toys but her favorite things are her mom's items, like her shoes! She does not chew or destroy them but rather likes to just have them close by her, especially while she naps. It is not unusual to see silly Shelly snuggled up with a sandal! If her foster mom cannot find an item, she knows to look in Shelly's bed first! She loves being with her foster family and very much enjoys the companionship of those that she feels safe and comfortable around. Like most Cavaliers, she's just happiest being with you and doing what you are doing. ROUTINE ⏰ Shelly starts her day being let out into the yard for pottying and then in for breakfast. She spends much of her day with her foster family where she enjoys a leisurely daily agenda of following her humans around the house, catching a good snooze, playing with her Cavalier foster siblings, and enjoying plenty of opportunities outside in the yard for pottying, sunshine, and fresh air. After dinner, Shelly loves a leashed stroll around the neighborhood. She is a great walker and seems to really enjoy this activity with her human. We are looking for a family who will be committed to continuing her walks, as she is a young pup who needs a healthy outlet for her energy. For the short periods of time when there are no humans at home, Shelly and her Cavalier foster siblings have free roam of the downstairs level of the home where she has plenty of comforts, companionship, and freedom. She will typically cuddle up with her furiends in a comfy bed or on the couch until her humans come back home. She has not been crated or otherwise strictly confined in our care, she does not need to be, and we do not recommend that she is. She does well left for short periods of time, but she is certainly happiest being with 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. After final potty outside, Shelly finds her spot on the big bed sharing a pillow with her foster mom. She is a great, peaceful sleeper and does not snore. We are seeking a family who will continue to invite her into the big bed with them - she loves being close and cuddly with you and would not do well being asked to sleep apart. Plus, this is excellent for bonding. She should not jump on and off the bed, so she will need pet steps to safely access on and off, or will require a lift from her people. SOCIALIZATION 💜 Shelly had no socialization with people prior to rescue so she is a bit timid, nervous, and uncertain around new people. In order for her to feel safe and comfortable, you must prove to her that you can be trusted and are good, and this of course takes time. Shelly 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 feel comfortable in her new home and among her new family. Quick and sudden movements and loud noises will startle and scare her which will cause her to bark and then retreat to a safe spot until she determines that the threat is over. So she will be happiest and thrive best in a more quiet, calm adult only home or a 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. Shelly 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, Shelly has certainly been well socialized with other dogs and does very well with her Cavalier foster siblings and all other Cavaliers that she has met while in our care. She bonded very quickly to her 2 Cavalier foster siblings, and even the cat! She can often be found engaging in play with them or being snuggled up super close to them. She very much values canine companionship and will thrive best having the leadership and companionship of another confident, well socialized, and well adjusted resident Cavalier, or other dog of similar size and temperament, to show her the ropes and continue to teach her how to be a dog. Her ideal canine companion would be laid back, enjoy leashed walks with her, and would be welcoming and happy to share snuggles, toys, his/her mom, and bed with Shelly. She has proven to be intimidated by large dogs so we are seeking a canine companion of similar size. IDEAL FAMILY & HOME 🏡 Most importantly Shelly needs a family who has the time, ability, and desire to shower her with gentle love and attention and make her an included and important member of their family. She needs a family who can be with her much of the day to continue potty training, for socialization, and opportunities for activity, engagement, and plenty of snuggles... and because she just loves to be with her people! Her ideal home would have limited stairs or steps with carpet or treads down for good traction for her unstable knee, and would have some sort of safe and secured outdoor space so she can continue to enjoy her outdoor freedom in. Her family must be committed to following her daily eye drop protocol, should be within reasonable driving distance to a veterinary ophthalmologist, and be able to financially meet her ongoing eye care needs. Shelly is an excellent car rider and loves to accompany you on errands and adventures. She rides safely and comfortably in a boosted car seat and we will ask that her family have one for her. Her home should have pet steps so she can safely access on and off furniture, comfy dog beds, and a basket full of stuffed toys for her to play with. Lastly, she needs a gentle, patient, loving family who will move slowly with her and have realistic expectations for her transition into her new home and family and her bonding and relationships. Because change and new things are scary, she thrives best off structure, stability, routine, and knowing what to expect which helps her to feel confident and comfortable. HOW TO APPLY 💻 Shelly is a sweet, silly little girl who has been such a trooper through all her medical care. She is now enjoying her clear vision and comfortable, bright eyes and is ready to move forward with truly living her best life. In her perfect home and family, sweet Shelly will continue to find her confidence, expand her little world, and be able to fully enjoy her amazing new life of freedom, fun, and love! If you feel you’re the perfect fit for precious Shelly and meet all of her requirements, please fill out an adoption application found on our website (TheCavalierRescue.org) then email us at CavalierRescueAL@gmail.com to express your interest, letting us know why you feel you are a great match. Shelly is located in Hoover, Alabama, and travel there is required. Shelly 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 $400.