Toni is a 1.5 year old female red and white basset.  She is a sweet and gentle girl but is also very shy. She came from a home with a lot of other dogs where she was clearly not given much, if any, socialization. Toni has come a long way in her foster home and she happily shares the couch with the other dogs.  She gets along well with other dogs and they seem to give her more confidence so she is looking for a home that has another young dog that she can play with and will help her get over her timidness.  Toni is becoming more comfortable around people and she does like to sit with you on the sofa and watch TV.  She is still easily frightened and sudden moves or a loud noise will send her running so her new family needs to be willing to continue to work with her and she would do best in a home without children. She has become very comfortable in the house but is very fearful of going for a walk or leaving the house so her new family will need to continue to work on her socialization. She is housebroken and doggie door trained.

 

We have learned that Toni has hip dysplasia and has already started to develop arthritis in one of her knees.  In order to slow down the progression of the arthritis she has been started on joint supplements that she will need to take for the rest of her life and as she gets older she will require acupuncture and/or physical therapy to minimize pain and support her hips.  We’ve also learned that she has a mild head tremor that can last from a few seconds to a few minutes.  We have seen the tremor four times in the last two months and the vet has determined is idiopathic and is not a symptom of another condition.  It is not a seizure and she is full cognitive while it is happening and it does not seem to bother her at all.

 

Toni is a really sweet dog and will make someone a wonderful companion.  She continues to make progress and just needs to find a home that has the patience to help her overcome her fears.  She has been with us for two months and she started by not wanting to come in the house and now we can’t get her off the couch.  As long as we move slowly she stays calm and acts like the other dogs.  She is extremely food motivated and you will see her personality come to life at meal time.  She jumps all over and will come over and push us with her nose to get us to go faster.  There is a very happy dog that is starting to emerge.