Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
Needs special attention,
Shots are up-to-date,
House-trained,
Story
Abby / Female / 2 years old / 55 lbs / Catahoula Leopard Dog Mix / Good with Dogs / Good with Kids / No Cats Please / Gentle and Calm / From Tennessee / Fostered in Oakville
Meet Abby! Abby came into foster care from Tennessee where she was found heavily pregnant and abandoned. Luckily, we were able to bring her into care, get her to Canada, and make her warm and comfortable before she safely delivered 8 healthy pups. Abby has been a patient and wonderful mama. Her pups are almost weaned and ready to go to their forever families, and we want to find mama’s happy ending too.
Abby’s foster describes her as amazingly patient, helpful, and attuned to the environment around her. She loves hugs and cuddles and being close to her humans. She is very calm, but loves to play ball and explore when she gets the chance. She is very good with her puppies and takes great care of every one.
Abby is very happy to meet everyone while out on her walks. She likes saying hi to everyone and will reach up for pets or hugs. She is intuitive and helpful. When she comes in from her walk on a rainy day, she will wait patiently to be towelled off and even roll over to make it easier for her foster. Abby currently gets 4-5 short walks during the day. Her energy will undoubtedly pick up once she is no longer nursing 8 hungry puppies and we anticipate she will be medium energy and enjoy longer walks, fetch, and play sessions.
Abby can be reactive to other dogs on leash and will bark and lunge but she usually recovers quickly. Her foster is working with her on this with a professional trainer. We anticipate she will overcome this issue but it will require ongoing work and training from her adopter. She currently lives with a barky chihuahua which can put her on guard but she will usually gently correct the chihuahua (her fosters say she is doing a better job training than his dog trainers did). Abby enjoys the quieter area where she lives and has not been exposed to busy, downtown streets.
Abby has been left for up to 90 minutes on her own and is not crated. She has not been destructive and settles quickly. Her puppies are in a pen and she can get in and out to feed them as needed (or when she needs a break!). She is still nursing at night but would probably love the opportunity to sleep through the night on her own. Abby is very easy going and understands commands though hasn’t done much formal training. She is potty trained. She is a lovely and well-mannered dog.
Abby has met children aged 6 and up and been good and gentle with them. She would do well in a home with children who could dote on her and would appreciate her calm nature. She could live in a home with another dog, or be happy as a solo pet soaking up the attention. Abby has not met any cats and is looking for a home without cats.
Abby’s ideal home would be a loving family who could include her in daily activities and will appreciate her gentle, special nature. She would love a family with a child, or children, who would benefit from her calm and protective presence. She would love someone home more often than not, who could spend time with her. She loves being close to her people. Abby would do best in a house with a yard in a quieter area outside the downtown core.
As part of the adoption contract, Abby will be required to be spayed once she is medically cleared (approximately two months from when her puppies are weaned). If done at our partner vet in Mississauga, the cost of the spay will be included in the adoption fee. If you choose to do it elsewhere, it will be done at your own cost. Proof of spay is required to finalize the adoption.
Prior to coming into care, Abby tested positive for Erlichia. Ehrlichia is a tick borne disease that stays in the bloodstream for many years. A CBC is performed to see if there is an active infection. Abby's CBC came back indicating that there is no active infection. Ehrlichia positive dogs may develop chronic kidney disease at some point of their life. It is recommended that any dog that has tested positive for erlichia have annual wellness blood work along with a 4dx blood test once a year unless clinical signs arise. If clinical signs of Ehrlichia arise we recommend having bloodwork done sooner. Also note that Abby should have pre-op blood work including a CBC and platelet count before any surgery or dental extractions. (due to a risk of low platelet count).
Abby also has some radial nerve paralysis on her right front leg. This is not painful for her and does not require pain management but she does wear a boot to protect her paw as she sometimes drags it.
If you’re interested in adopting Abby, please apply at https://www.fetchandreleash.ca/adoption-info#adoption-form
Abby’s adoption fee is $850. To learn more about our adoption fees and the adoption process, please visit our FAQs at https://www.fetchandreleash.ca/about-us#about-faqs.
