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GABRIELLA
If you are out there
just longing to give your heart away in exchange for another heart,
along with loyalty, devotion, joy and love then.........MEET YOUR
MATCH! SHE IS HERE -- WAITING FOR YOU!
Gabriella, better known as Gabi, will give you all of that and more.
This 9 lb. bluish black short coat Chihuahua is looking for a forever
home with at least one other dog, who is no smaller than she. Gabi
does not yet actively engage in play but does love the company of other
dogs. She enjoys just following them around and sleeping with them.
When Gabi came to live with her foster family 6 months ago, she
exhibited food aggression on 3 or 4 occasions. That has stopped, in
fact she now even lets another dog eat from her dish! Some of her
social skills and doggie manners do need some improvement, and we have
been working on that. Just recently Gabi bit company. She has always
preferred her own people to guests, grumbling and low barking at them,
but on these three occasions she did rush out and bite people (adults)
who were passing by her bed. She is, however, very good with quiet,
gentle children. An 8 year old animal lover and Gabi have become good
friends.
Gabi is the happiest when all of her family is home. She might have a
slight tendency to separation anxiety. She enjoys curling up in a
warm, cozy bed near people or on a lap with a blanket. She loves head
and neck scratches!
While she does not like cold, wet weather, she does know and follow the
toileting rules. She knows these phrases: "do your business" and
"do you need to make a puddle"?
Gabi eats 1/4 cup of dry food 3 times a day, and a milk bone or two at
bedtime. When she first came to us she would not eat anything but dog
food in her dish. Now she takes things from our hands and after
watching her foster siblings eat such snacks, she too enjoys all cooked
veggies, raw carrots, green beans, apples, bananas and oranges.
Gabi is a very determined little being. She knows exactly what she
wants and how to make those wants known. She makes us laugh every
day. She has her very own distinct charm. She'll cock that little
head of hers, one floppy ear folded back, looking up with a quizzical
expression. She wants attention and affection and one cannot help but
love her.
Gabi is micro chipped, spayed and up to date on all immunizations. One
front leg is slightly deformed due to a fracture but is not in any way
problematic. She is being fostered in Central New York. If you are
interested in Gabi or have any other questions please contact me at:
For more info please e-mail Foster mom Eileen at
cascade@cnyemail.com.
She is located in Upstate, NY
Her Story from being rescued
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Gabriella, a spunky, 8 year old, 9 lb. chihuahua/terrier mix was freed
from a mill in Central New York on June 21, 2007. She came to her foster
home two days later as a nervous, fearful little being with a
drooping tail and ears and great big sad dull eyes.
Gabi has had many litters of puppies over the years and in fact had just
finished nursing her last litter along with several other pups from
other dogs, when she was released from the mill. She was quite
malnourished at that time. Her skin was dry and scaly with several areas
of rash. Her grey/black coat was dull, coarse and very sparse with a
large, almost bald patch on her left loin. She has moderate to severe
dental disease with eroding gums.
After being in foster care for only a week and a half this smart little
lady had taught us several of her likes and dislikes. Her saucy
personality was starting to emerge! Gabi loves good food, the outdoors,
walks in the sunshine and generally romping around and being where the
people are. In the beginning she balked considerably at her harness and
leash but quickly learned that these things meant a chance to go
exploring the neighborhood. She's a very clean dog and has only had 3 or
4 accidents in the house and except for her first night in our home,
these accidents ( profuse diarrhea) occurred as a reaction to her
immunizations.
Being alone is rather stressful for Gabi and she doesn't hesitate to let
us know that, by exercising her barking skills! We are working on this
by giving her treats when we're going to leave her for a bit and
greeting her calmly or even ignoring her for a few minutes upon
returning.
Less than two weeks after her arrival here, Gabi was attempting to jump
upon a window ledge, apparently fell and broke two bones in her left
front leg. This mishap, unfortunately resulted in the postponement of her
spay and much needed dentistry. As of now she is one week away from the
completion of splinting.........and then she will be spayed, have her
teeth and mouth cleaned and a microchip implanted. At last this sweet
little girl will be almost as good as new!
Gabi has changed a lot since we've had her, in spite of her accident.
While she's sill a bit cautious of us, she holds that long, skinny tail
up in the air and wags it happily and her drooping ears are starting to
stand up. Her coat is the most remarkable change - it is definitely
thicker and softer with new growth appearing in the bald spots and has a
nice sheen.
Gabi has demonstrated a slight food aggression on three different
occasions. Each time it stopped immediately when told "NO" firmly and
she was required to relinquish the treat that she was guarding.
We are observing her carefully for this and will work to eliminate this
behavior.
Although she did have a slight set back, we'll soon be able to again
start diligently teaching Gabi how to be a real family member, learn the
house rules, and simply become all she's capable of becoming.
Two of the veterinarians who've cared for her have commented on her
temperament and sweetness.
She is a bit anxious but responds to soft voices and stroking. Before
Gabi had to wear that heavy splint,
she enjoyed curling up and napping on laps. She will undoubtedly revert
to this once she is no longer fearful of pain. Right now she enjoys
spending most of her day lounging on the back porch in a doggie playpen
and the evenings "hanging out" with the family and her canine siblings
on the sofa in the family room. We'll all be happy when we know that her
leg has healed completely and her activity will no longer be restricted.
 
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