My basic info
Breed
Maltese/Yorkie, Yorkshire Terrier
Size
Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less (when grown)
Here's what the humans have to say about me:
UPDATED BIO 09/15/2014: DAKOTA is a 4.2 pound, female, 19 month old, Maltese mix puppy, now being fostered in Clearwater, FL.
Dakota was one of multiple dogs bred by a "backyard breeder" to sell at a flea market. Typically the term "backyard breeder" refers to the breeding of dogs without registration and commonly narrowly breeding, or inbreeding, with the focus on looks as opposed to the health of the puppies.
When Dakota finally found herself with UYR, she was very scared of every little thing that moved or made noise including leaves, crickets, a gust of wind, etc. She was not at all house trained and seemed to be a little on the calm and sleepy side for such a young dog.
Realizing a young puppy should have much more energy, her first UYR FM had her suspicions and took Dakota to the vet for confirmation. Sadly, poor little Dakota has significantly abnormal lab values signifying a liver shunt. This means that there is a large blood vessel that bypasses the liver where the blood should be filtered before flowing out to the rest of her little body. Toxins then build up and keep recirculating throughout her body making her sick and tired and will cause death if not corrected by surgery. Now, Dakota is getting used to her new foster home in Clearwater while she waits for her big surgery on 9/22. She will have to stay at the vet for a few days to recover then will return home to continue healing for 6-8 weeks when she can have her blood tests to recheck her progress. For now, she is on a strict diet to ease the stress on her liver before surgery and getting some of her puppy energy back.
This little genius trained herself to puppy pads in TWO days! Since her move to her new foster home in Clearwater, she has only had one accident in the house and every other time has gone right out in the backyard. She has not gotten used to being on a leash at all, but we have plenty of time and so much to learn, so that practice will be saved for later. Dakota attaches instantly to females but is very afraid of men. If FM is around, then she will nervously accept love and attention from FD. If FM is not at home, FD says Dakota runs from him and shakes all over, paralyzed by untrusting fear. We are slowly getting her used to love from everyone and building trust along with her confidence.
