Entered: 01/02/2015
Status: Rainbow Bridge
Age: 5
Color: Black/White
Weight: 60 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Richmond, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, receiving medication for epilepsy, receiving inexpensive medication for anxiety, currently not on flea and tick preventative due to a previous allergic reaction (itching)
Temperament: Good with people as young as 15, good with other dogs, cats unknown although reportedly disinterested
Update 02/03/2015: “Her foster family carefully observed her, worked with her and her vet, and made some changes toward resolving the complicated issues she had arrived with.”
Domino’s first weeks in foster care were promising. Her foster family carefully observed her, worked with her and her vet, and made some changes toward resolving the complicated issues she had arrived with. Other volunteers with much hands-on experience with complex dogs also met her and contributed to her final assessment. Sadly, the consensus was that she would not be suitable for adoption.
Godspeed, Miss Domino. You can now run free in happiness and good health……..
Original: “She just loves people and has enjoyed snuggling in bed with her foster family at night. She is one of the first ones to run and get the best spot!”
Domino was relinquished to MAESSR by a family in Virginia due to problems with food aggression. It turns out that poor Domino was ALWAYS hungry due to a medication. When she was just one year old Domino was diagnosed with epilepsy and was placed on Potassium Bromide, a medication that can cause extreme hunger.
Since joining her MAESSR foster home, Domino has been taken off Potassium Bromide and placed on a different medication, Kepra, to help control her appetite. Although she’s known to beg for food and counter-surf, it seems that Domino has become much calmer about food with this switch in medication.
It was reported that Domino has been anxious since she was a puppy. She is timid around strangers and will bark at them and she is introduced to new people outside due to submissive urination. She doesn’t care for the dog park because all of the strange people and dogs make her anxious. The addition of a daily medication to reduce anxiety has made a big difference for Domino. Even the submissive urination is lessening.
Domino had basic obedience training as a puppy. Because she was too excited as a puppy to do much in class, her family followed up several years later although they did not keep up with her training. Since Domino is treat-motivated, her new family should be able to help with re-training. Domino responds to “sit” and “down” but she does not have a good recall. This sweet girl has been crate trained and uses one as a “safe place.” Her crate is always available and she goes in and out of it. She is crated while food is being prepared because of her counter-surfing.
Domino is housetrained. She does not have separation anxiety but she has, in the past, barked at loud noises. Her anti-anxiety medicine has helped with this. A good girl, Domino does not dig, chew, or jump a fence. Because she will pull while on leash, Domino is walked with a harness. At her former home Domino was not off-leash too often because she lived in a very urban environment. When she was let off leash, she didn’t wander far. Reportedly she has met cats on walks and allowed them to sniff her, showing very little interest. She will, however, chase birds, squirrels, and deer.
Traveling in a car is a little scary for Domino as manifested by her pacing and whining. Most of her car rides have been to the vet where she has been poked and prodded, so this is understandable. By taking her to fun places in the car, her new family could help Domino understand that traveling in a car can be a pleasant experience.
Reportedly Domino has been fine with children and toddlers, but a family with older children or no children would be best due to her food issues. For fun Domino enjoys her Frisbee, playing ball, and squeaky toys. She will play “keep away” but eventually will give up a ball or Frisbee so it can be thrown again.
Domino has been professionally groomed and has had no problems with having her feet or mouth handled. Likewise, her neurologist and regular vet have had no issues when touching Domino.
Her foster parents have found Domino to be such a wonderful and sweet girl. She just loves people and has enjoyed snuggling in bed with her foster family at night. She is one of the first ones to run and get the best spot! Sharing their bed with Domino is a pleasure because they just love her. Do you have a little room on your bed and in your heart for Domino? She’s looking for a that special forever family who will love her and help her feel secure. Ask about this sweet girl today.