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** Please Read CarefullyAs part of your adoption application, please thoroughly review Estella's adoption profile and outline your plan for helping her succeed in your home. We are looking for applicants who understand her needs and can provide a thoughtful approach to supporting her transition, building her confidence, and helping her thrive in your care. **Meet EstellaEstella is a gentle, sensitive Boxer mix who is looking for a very patient and understanding family. While her history prior to coming into care is unknown, we encourage adopters to assume that many experiences, environments, sounds, and interactions may be completely new to her.Of the two sisters, Estella is the more fearful and reserved. She tends to approach the world with extreme caution and can become overwhelmed when faced with unfamiliar people, places, sounds, or situations. While she has never shown anything but a gentle nature, her first instinct when she feels uncertain is to freeze and shut down.Estella's ideal home will be calm, quiet, and predictable. A rural setting or peaceful neighbourhood would suit her best, as busy streets, frequent visitors, and loud ambient noises can be overwhelming. She is not a dog who will immediately embrace new adventures; instead, she needs time, space, and support to build trust and confidence at her own pace.A confident, well-socialized resident dog would be a tremendous asset for Estella. She takes comfort from other dogs and would benefit from having a calm canine role model to help her navigate unfamiliar situations and learn that the world is a safe place.Because Estella is so sensitive, adopters should be prepared to move slowly and allow her to dictate the pace of her progress. Simple things that many dogs take for granted, such as walking in new areas, meeting visitors, or exploring different environments, may require careful introductions and plenty of positive reinforcement. High-value treats, gentle encouragement, and patience will be key to helping her succeed.Once Estella feels safe in her home and has developed a strong bond with her family, she will benefit from slowly expanding her world through confidence-building exercises, basic training, and positive experiences. However, it is important to remember that too much, too soon can cause her to become overwhelmed and shut down, making progress more difficult.Estella is looking for a family with patience, understanding, and ideally experience working with fearful or under-socialized dogs. Adopters should also be willing to work closely with a fear-free veterinarian and an AnimalKind-accredited trainer to help build her confidence and provide her with the tools she needs to thrive.Learn more about AnimalKind-accredited trainers here: https://spca.bc.ca/about-us/our-work/animalkind/For the right family, watching Estella slowly learn to trust, grow in confidence, and discover the joys of being a beloved family companion will be an incredibly rewarding journey. Beneath her timid exterior is a sweet dog waiting for someone to show her that the world can be a safe and wonderful place. ❤️ Primary Color: Brown Brindle Secondary Color: White Weight: 29.4 Age: 3yrs 1mths 0wks
