SOPHIA IS BEING FOSTERED IN ANTIOCH.
Sophia is approximately 8 months old and currently weighs about 15 lbs. Her mix of breed is unknown and we're not sure how big she will get but since she has all her adult teeth, we don't think she'll do much more growing. She will most likely remain under 25 lbs.
Sophia is a shy, sweet little girl who your heart will go out to almost immediately. She has probably never really known direct human love and affection and is therefore unsure of herself in the company of people, but she is curious and watchful. She is very tolerant of being handled and lifted even though it must be somewhat frightening to her.
Sophia and another dog named Phoebe were found abandoned in front of an animal hospital in Taiwan. They were starved, dehydrated, and very very frightened. The "ankle" joints of Sophia's front legs have not developed their flexibility probably because she was confined in a small area for most of her life. The vet said this would not be a problem to her and she would gradually increase her flexibility. After a week of bouncing around and playing with the dogs, her paws are less flat already.
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When I first brought Sophia home, she hid under my desk. She came out to play with our other foster puppy and was not intimidated at all by our own much bigger dogs. Whatever shyness she has towards people does not exist towards other dogs. Sophia is very good with other dogs and would do EXTREMELY well in a household with another more confident and well-socialized dog whose lead she can follow.
A few hours after her arrival, Sophia ventured out to sniff the house. I got her to take treats from my fingers, which she wouldn't do in the beginning. She now follows me around although from a distance, but is very watchful and curious of what I'm doing. She's a funny girl though because as soon as I turn around and look at her, she makes a mad dash back to hide under the desk. And then when she realizes I'm not around, she comes out to look for me again.
Sophia is EXTREMELY playful. Her shyness aside, she is a pouncing, bouncing, fun-loving ball of energy once she starts to get a bit comfortable in her environment. She also likes to chew on things so it's important to provide her with chew toys and teach her what is appropriate to chew on. Sophia is so fun to watch when she plays, and when I'm sitting or laying down, she will even come pounce with me.
Sophia is kind of a juxtaposition--the true Sophia is playful and full of life, but her uncertainty with new people supresses that in the beginning and makes her shy & timid. Once she blossoms though, sunshine and laughter will follow wherever she goes. She is the kind of dog that will become your devoted shadow once she learns to trust you. When I watch her interacting with the other dogs, I see her potential for happiness and joy. All she needs is patience, gentleness, and a lot of socialization.
Sophia is spayed, current on shots, and microchipped.
If you are interested in adopting Sophia, please email your completed Adoption Application. We do request a $250 tax-deductible donation to help cover a portion of each dog's medical and transport expenses. A homecheck will also be required because we do want to be sure that each dog goes to an environment suited to them.
According to the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Taiwan is among the worst places in
the world for animals. There are at least 2 million stray dogs in Taiwan,
many of them 2nd or 3rd generation strays. There are virtually no humane
societies, shelters, or even laws prohibiting cruelty towards animals.
Government-run dog pounds don't offer humane euthanization--instead, dogs
are electrocuted, drowned, burned, or left to starve to death. Certainly
very little if anything is done to curb the reproduction cycle. Strays and
cruelty towards dogs are such a fact of life there that most people turn a
blind eye. Horrible abuse cases such as that involving (WARNING -Graphic: )
"Thin-Necked Blackie"
happen more
often than we like to think and right in the public eye.
Needless to say, the chances of survival let alone a life of happiness for a
homeless dog in Taiwan is almost nil. Generally, dogs are not valued as companions and family members there as they are here. Small grassroots rescue teams in
Taiwan like The Animal Rescue Team, Animals Taiwan,
and Taipei Abandoned Animal
Rescue Foundation work tirelessly to do
what they can to give at least a small percentage of the millions of stray
dogs a chance at a better life. And in the majority of cases, the only
chance lies outside of Taiwan.
