Rio the Westie

after being rescued from a puppy mill.

Some input on Rio and her progress....AUGUST 2008

As I have posted on the foster list recently, Rio is making real progress. In only 2 months, she has started to play, she loves to go for walks, and she seems to enjoy life in general. She is going through the usual stages to get from traumatized mill dog to family pet.

She is still very reserved when she is with the other dogs in a group setting. I have absolutely no reservations about leaving her unattended with the group when I am doing chores in other parts of the house. I don't watch her every movement anymore--she is coming along as is to be expected. She is not food aggressive and will wait her turn when food is being handed out to the group.

At this time, the only time her behavior could be considered unpredictable is when she is next to me on the couch and someone gets close to me. She will growl, and it goes no farther because I immediately correct the behavior. Rio continues to make progress with this as well. (I don't consider this behavior all that unusual though.)

As for her being an only dog--if someone with years of experience working with mill dogs would adopt her, she would be fine in a multi-dog household. With the input from Cindy on how the other dogs that were rescued with Rio behaved, I do think it best to err on the side of caution and place her as an only dog. For most "average" pet owners, Rio would be a handful. She will need a strong leader and an orderly lifestyle to keep her on track.

Thanks,
Penny

She has been to the vet and is current on her vaccines and appears to be in pretty good health. She came out of the mill with infections and urine burns on all four feet, so she is on antibiotics and I soak her feet daily. I shudder to think of how the flies must have been at the open, pussy sores on her feet.


Rio is still very timid at this point, and will need a patient, understanding, gentle forever home. Up until now she has spent all of her time trying to survive day to day in the mill--she doesn't even realize she is a dog yet, much less how one is supposed to act. She still prefers to eat in solitude and spends most of her time trying to be invisible. She would fade into the woodwork if I didn't make a conscious effort to include her in some of the household activities.

before. the day she came into rescue--she was a ball of mats and urine soaked knots, and the second one-looking pretty after she got bathed and cleaned up.)

On a happy note--Rio has made some positive steps forward since coming into rescue. She now sleeps in bed with me and loves it!! She gingerly wags her tail and paws at me for a few minutes after I put her in bed for the night. I could not be more proud of her!!


I believe Rio will continue making strides daily to become the dog she was intended to be. She is a kind, gentle soul who, although she doesn't pay attention to the other dogs here, doesn't seem bothered by or aggressive towards them either. She is ok with cats as well.


If you think you are the patient forever home Rio is looking for, please email her foster mom at pje802002@yahoo.com for more information. At this time, Rio will not be placed in a home with small children.

(The first pic is the day she came into rescue--she was a ball of mats and urine soaked knots, and the second one-looking pretty after she got bathed and cleaned up.)

Rio is being fostered in central PA.