Entered: 11/12/2011
Status: Adopted
Age: 5
Color: Black/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Fayetteville, WV
Health: UTD, HW-, recovery from kennel cough and a UTI complete, continuing weight loss
Temperament: Good with adults and children as young as 4 that she’s met in public, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Update 01/21/12:
All the news on Miss Ory is great! Her minor health issues are behind her and she’s half way to goal in her quest for a healthy weight. She’s followed her vet’s recommendation for diet closely and it’s working. She weighed 56.4 pounds at her last weigh-in and, though she certainly eats with vigor, she’s adjusted well to eating less and actually has more energy. Additional exercise in the form of walking is helping too and is so easy since she’s a love on leash!
Ory has a steady and predictable demeanor. She’s always happy! Whether at home with her 2 canine companions and a small human family, or, out in public, she’s always of good cheer. She visited a dog park recently and led a spirited game of chase after greeting all the humans. She’s been walking and does well on woodland trails or when out of the weather at the strip mall. She’s not a speed walker but sets a very nice pace for healthy exercise. Neither vehicular traffic nor people passing by bother her, though she will turn her head easily toward a stranger in a friendly gesture. If they offer to pause, she is tickled to stop briefly and accept attention.
She’s been to the local “dog wash” and did well with bathing. Since the drying was done by hand, she loved that best! Ory isn’t a clingy gal but she does adore petting and belly rubs. Often in the evenings, she will lay down in the middle of the livingroom floor, on her back, front legs folded against her chest, hind legs stretched out full length, nose reaching the other direction. How can one resist caving to her obvious request?!
Ory’s a gentle, easy keeper. She’s quiet in the home, only barking with excitement when it’s meal time. Outdoors she will bark at wildlife who venture through her yard. She’s ever so easy to live with. She needs a family that will continue her weight loss and keep her fit with attention to diet and exercise when she reaches her goal. She’s been a joy to have in foster care and will bring that joy to one very lucky adopting family!!!
Update 12/15/11:
With measured meals and carrots for snacks, Miss Ory was cruising toward a healthy weight and availability when she threw her foster mom a curve. Unmistakable signs of a urinary tract infection prompted a vet visit and a round of meds. With that complete, Ory’s next vet visit should be for another weigh-in. At her last check she had lost her first 2 pounds! Good girl, Ory!!!
This recent vet visit raised her foster mom’s admiration of Ory’s behavior in public to yet a new level. Since assessment of the UTI was urgent, Ory waited over an hour in the vet’s lobby one busy Saturday morning. There was rarely an empty seat, yet she was cool as a cucumber. She sat quietly in front of her foster mom when asked, or, if allowed, approached people and dogs who wanted to meet her. What was so impressive was how perceptive she was of people who didn’t wish to engage with her. She recognized that and did not seek any attention from them. For a bit, she sat next to 3 very restless children, perhaps 4-8 year olds. The smallest and closest child to her didn’t even look at Ory, though they were less than a foot apart at times. Ory made no attempt to nose at him or give kisses, nor did she show any sign of anxiousness with his behavior. What a doll!
On the way home that same day, Ory stopped at a doggie-friendly pet store with aisles of temptations at nose level. She still had a full reserve of patience and great manners. She sniffed along the food and treat displays but made no effort to stop or paw at bags. She passed the small animal cages (hamsters, etc) and cat housing with hardly a turn of the head. She made a very good impression on a store manager that her foster mom talked with. The longer they talked, the more impressed the new friend was with Ory. Ory visited with the local humane society volunteers who were in the store on behalf of shelter rescue. They had half a dozen active puppies with them and, again, Ory was so laid back. When out in public, she’s fully engaged; she’s just very calm about everything around her.
Ory’s been such a good girl in foster care that there’s no doubt her stocking will have treats in it on Christmas morning and they won’t be carrots! Without further surprises, she should be ready soon for the best gift of all: a family who will welcome her into their home and love her as much as she will love them!!
Original:
Miss Oreo is one of the sweetest gals her foster mom has met. “Ory” instantly loved on her and gave generous kisses when the two met. She was equally as eager to give lovins when she walked into the crowded waiting room for her veterinary exam. A dozen or more people, aging from adults to middle-school youth, and twice as many dogs of all ages and sizes were within view. The look on her face was one of nirvana and Ory would have kissed every one if she’d had the chance. For those who were close enough to pet her, she sat politely and outlasted each one. For those who looked on from across the room, their admiration of her good looks and friendly demeanor was evident.
Ory was very composed for her exam. She checked out well with only one issue, her weight. The vet recommended she lose from her hefty 60.3 pounds to about 50! She is recovering from kennel cough so the last of her vaccinations were delayed for a few weeks; then, she’ll have another weigh-in too. In the meantime, she’ll do regular walking and be eating measured kibble to begin slimming to that healthy number!
It’s a little surprising that Ory is so well-rounded; few strays are ever overweight. She was pulled from a shelter in southern West Virginia where she’d been taken by an animal control officer. She had many dreadlocks on her full tail and thus lost much of it with grooming. The rest of her coat was surprisingly clean as were her shiny teeth. Somewhere along the way, Ory must have hooked up with someone who kept her well-fed and cleanly sheltered.
She may have lived indoors before as Ory is completely comfortable with that arrangement in her foster home. She’s been trustworthy with her housetraining (except for one cold rainy morning)and is at ease with all the sounds and activities of a small household. She hasn’t counter-surfed or looked into the trash can. She rides well in a crate when traveling and uses one for napping when her family is away from home; she’s also fed there. As times, she naps in her crate when people are home. She couldn’t be easier to live with!!
Ory enjoys strolling through the woodlot on leash and is a real pleasure to walk with. She’s very quiet, except when the neighbor’s goats come to graze near the dog run. Then, she will bark quite vigorously to let them know she’s noticed!
Two middle-age springers share Ory’s foster home and she gets along well with both. She declines playbows but will “sit” beside them for treats or will gently nudge either aside for the choice petting spot in the evenings. Ory will be in foster care for a little longer and, despite her need to trim calories, will likely enjoy a little turkey this week with the rest of her family! More on this cookie to come!