Millie 3

Update 02/21/09: Millie continues to do well in her foster home. She is now at 100% health. Now that she is feeling better, Millie’s full personality has emerged. She gets along with her 4 foster siblings. However, there have been a couple of unpleasant incidences where Millie bit 2 of her canine companions. Both issues occurred at the kitchen door, and she may be resource guarding that area. She is a smart and assertive dog who can be demanding of attention. Millie will always try to push her way in if her foster Mom is giving attention to another dog.

Millie’s foster mom believes that, although she gets along with other dogs, she may not have lived with them before. She has taken a liking to the resident Sheltie mix but rarely interacts with the other resident dogs. Sometimes she will growl over a toy or dog bed space. Her foster mom will promptly take the toy without issue or verbally reprimand her for growling and Millie will quiet when this occurs.

Millie is a great balance of energy and calm. She loves to play with tennis balls and go for walks or run in the large horse pastures at her foster home. She is a real snow bunny and is very fun to play with in the snow. Then she can come inside and be content to lie at your feet for hours while you work at the computer or watch TV.

This gal will do best in a home with regular exercise and clear boundaries. Millie will do well alone or with a submissive sibling. She does not crate and will climb or push over gates. Her house manners have been very good, so having free access to the house has not been a problem. Her anxiety about being alone has decreased and she has been left home alone with the family pets up to 5 hours without incident. Millie is looking for confident leaders in her life and unlimited love. Is there a place for her in your home and heart?

Update 12/23/08: After treatment for a respiratory infection, Millie returned to her vet for surgery to remove mammary tumors and for spaying. She also had a dental that day and is recovering well from all. Her blood test results were excellent and once she is healed, this sweetie will be ready for a loving, forever home.

Until then, Millie continues to settle in nicely in her foster home. She is one smart girl. After a few attempts to get on the furniture, she learned this was NO in her foster home. However, she is smart enough to sneak up only when no one is in the room and gets down as soon as she hears someone coming! She is becoming better with her separation issues. Her foster mom believes with time, trust and patience, she will learn to be comfortable alone.

Millie enjoys playing ball and will now dig through the toy box for toys. She has not engaged in play with the resident dogs yet but runs around them barking as they play in the yard. She barks at the appropriate times indoors and quiets nicely when asked. She likes her dog bed and loves to have her belly and ears scratched. She’ll nudge you for more but will stop bothering when asked. Millie listens so well.

Keep an eye on Millie. She’ll be ready for her new beginning shortly after the New Year!!

Original: Millie came to her foster home on Thanksgiving eve, only hours before guests were to arrive to visit. She greeted everyone with quiet dignity and was adored by all by the end of the evening. She was given a quick bath and had her ears cleaned and trimmed. She did great even with the hair dryer to get a quick dry. Millie was not that keen about the vet, though. She was grumbling at her vet exam, but the vet felt this was more fear than aggression.

Millie was introduced to the two resident, senior dogs without incident. Millie thought the two younger, resident dogs, ten months and eighteen months, were a little too exuberant so she greeted them over the baby gate with a little grumbling. When dealing with the resident cats and dogs, Millie is fine unless they get too in her face; then, she will let them know with a grumble that she has had enough. She is not looking for a fight but she doesn’t take any nonsense from the housemates.

This sweet girl is housetrained, walks well on leash, and rides nicely in the car. She knows come, sit, and gives her paw, and will go lay on her dog bed when asked. Millie did attempt to sneak on the furniture, but when asked to get down twice, she has not made any further attempts on the furniture. Millie has definitely bonded with her foster mom and follows her everywhere. Although Millie goes in the crate willingly and stays quiet if her foster Mom is there, she really becomes distressed when left alone in the crate, even biting through the crate wire. She has also knocked down baby gates to get to her foster mom in another room.

Watch for more on this beautiful fieldie as she continues to settle into her foster home.