Four Paws Animal Rescue
Find your new companion => Dogs looking for homes => Reserved Dogs => Topic started by: give me a mutt anyday on October 10, 2014, 19:33:11 PM
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Breed - Staffy
Sex - Female
Age - approx. 6 yrs
Dog Friendly - Yes (has been living with three other dogs, including two young pups who she's been a surrogate mother to)
Cat Friendly - Not tested
People Friendly - Yes
Child Friendly - Yes
House Trained - Yes
Neutered - Yes
Microchipped - Yes
Travel - yes very quiet in the car.
Food - dry (adult)
Fostered - Abercynon
Vaxinated - Yes
Flea and worm treated - yes
Minimum adoption donation £150
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww270/jenamaher/Elsa1.jpg)
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww270/jenamaher/Elsa2.jpg)
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww270/jenamaher/Elsa3.jpg)
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww270/jenamaher/Elsa4.jpg)
UPDATE 7 February 2015 - Taff's Well to Cardiff via the Taff Trail, and climbing Pen-y-fan - all on the same day
Elsa has done loads of walking today. In the morning it was a long walk to the centre of Cardiff, from Taff's Well, which Elsa thoroughly enjoyed. She was as good as gold and off lead through Bute Park, perfectly sociable with the many dogs she met along the way. She also had her first train ride (from Cardiff to Abercynon), and then went up Pen-y-fan, her first attempt at the mountain. I'm not sure what she made of the snow, but loved the climb and was, again, great off lead with the many people and dogs that were out and about on a beautiful, cold day.
I've added some photos, but the iPad wasn't great; I'll get some more, and some better ones!
UPDATE 2 February 2015 - give this dog a home!
It's been a busy time for us over the past few weeks, having added two young pups to our foster load, but both have been re-homed in the past week (Styx went yesterday!) and we're keen to see if we can do more for Elsa. Perhaps because she's been so easy to have, we've not done enough on her profile - we thought that with her great progress and lovely nature, she'd already be with a new, permanent family. We'll get some new photos up in the next day or so and see if that helps.
Elsa has had great New Year's routine; she sleeps soundly overnight in the kitchen, and then gets up with Keith every morning to go for a walk up the mountain behind our house (off-lead). She's then perfectly settled for the day ahead. When we're around she's in with us, usually lying by the fire or on her favourite bed (which happens to be our own dog's bed!). She continued to mother the two pups we've been fostering, Pebbles and Styx, with their bond becoming even stronger over this period. We actually felt quite sad for Elsa yesterday, seeing Styx, the last of the pups, go to his permanent home.
Please have a read through the couple of updates on Elsa - could you give her a good home? This is a fabulous, loving staffie girl.
UPDATE 10 January 2015 - Elsa receives great praise!
While out with walking with Elsa in Parc Penalta today, we met another fosterer who recognised Elsa and had these lovely comments (poster further down this thread) afterwards:
'What can I say: Elsa is a very beautiful girl, no offence but she is much prettier in real live than on the pics ;) She is a gorgeous little Staffy girl with glossy coat and such a pretty face! And more than a pretty face: she was very well behaved both on and off leash, polite and friendly with the dogs she met and nice and rather charming to me, too :)
Elsa was out with the pups she is helping to foster and she was great with them, very patient and kind.
Altogether, a wonderful sweet girl!
Good luck to your new owner - hope he finds you soon.... :)'
UPDATE 28 December 2014 - Elsa for surrogate mother of the year?
Although Elsa is a welcome addition to our family, I am really surprised there hasn't been any interest in this lovely dog. She's been with us since October. Elsa has continued to settle in with us, and is very easy to have, perfectly content with a walk, somewhere comfortable to lie and regular meals.
Elsa has been a huge help with our two six to seven week old foster pups. She's been a mother to both, letting them settle in and snuggle with her when we're away from the house, keeping them warm and content. She's groomed them and, bless her, put up with their play, which, as you can imagine, is pretty non-stop. Her tenderness has been lovely to witness. The pups have benefited hugely from her, becoming more confident with her reassurance.
Elsa's recall continues to improve and she now enjoys long periods off-lead, even in busy parks and other places. The only lapses we've found are when there are lots of distractions; she can sometimes get confused by by other groups of people, but she's always looking to return to us, even when not called back. She's very friendly with other dogs and meetings have never been an issue, on or off-lead. Elsa love's her food, so she's very trainable; we've been working on her recall with cheese and other treats, with great success.
Elsa would do so well in a permanent home and she's ready - can you give her the chance she so thoroughly deserves?
October 2014
Elsa is coming to the end of her two-week assessment and will be available for adoption from 11th October. Elsa came to us as a poundie, she was highly recommended due to her wonderful temperament and easy disposition (my 16year old girl Buffy is getting to that stage in life where she likes to be left alone and can get grumpy). Elsa has settled in very well - after a few small accidents on the floor, she is now almost completely house trained. At first Elsa would pace around the house, very unsettled and looking lost, then she found Buffy's bed and suddenly she was 'home'. Yes there is nothing better in Elsa's life now than to lounge on Buffy's bed, legs up, head draped over the edge (Buffy is clearly unhappy with this development!). Elsa is gentle, warm and loving, yet, full of fun and life. She looks permanently happy now, there is always a bounce in her step. She loves us to throw a teddy (also stolen from Buffy) and will sometimes fetch it back, and flops onto her back for a belly rub as soon as she gets any attention. Sometimes she gets overly excited and jumps up, but she quickly calms down. Elsa is respectful of our things around the house, she doesn't chew anything other than her dog chews. She likes her food and loves treats.
When out and about Elsa loves her walks, she has enjoyed cycling and walking, after some initial pulling, she settles into a good walking pace. However, she is easily distracted and wants to go and meet bikes, people, dogs, rabbits, squirrels, butterflies, postmen, ambulances ...almost anything really. When meeting other dogs she is interested, playful and loves the attention given by dog and owner. Initially Elsa's recall was probably the poorest I've ever seen (bring back our foster pup, Seren), she seemed to have one mode, go forward, though she was not running away, she just kept walking and failed to respond to calls or any sort of encouragement (I get the impression that she was a 'latch-key' dog in her previous life - not use to being on lead or confined and happy to wander about at her own leisure). While there is still work to be done, there have been significant improvements - today, for example, we had her walking loose with a long lead attached (just in case!) for 30 mins on a lovely wood walk and she always came back to check on us and even started showing some real nice recall behavior for some lovely treats. However, at the end of the walk, she decided she wanted to stay longer and kept walking towards a main road - until we caught her. Elsa is an active dog who would enjoy a minimum of 45 minutes walk daily.
Elsa is great in the car in that she is very quiet - she isn't always keen to jump in but loves to jump out. Elsa is great with other dogs and I think she would very much enjoy sharing her new home with a friend (as I say this she is sitting on top of Buffy in her bed) but she is also person-focused so would be happy without.
Elsa's new owners would be advised to continue her recall training (possibly taking her to training classes - depending on the owners experience). If you are interested in Elsa please take a look at our adoption procedures and put in an application in the first instance. Approved applications will be home checked. Details of our adoption procedures and adoption application form are available at: http://www.fourpawsanimalrescue.org.uk/adoption_procedures.html
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What a lovely write-up on Elsa, I get a very clear picture on how she has progressed in her foster home. It sounds like she is a wonderful loving and playful dog full of character. I am sure with a little bit of ongoing work, Elsa will be a real gem. I have met this great girl a few time in kennels and always enjoyed playing and running around with her, good to hear she is doing so well!
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Thanks, she really is a lovely girl...no problem at all.
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She looks a gorgeous girl love the pic with her tongue sticking out
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;D Wow Jen & Keith you've got a little cracker there, I love the way her tongue is curled up :-*
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Sounds like you're doing a great job with her Jen, all she needs now is her very own forever sofa :)
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Oh, she has found her sofa aright, Buffy is hoping it is not for forever though, she would like her bed back before the winter draws near. ::) Elsa is coming along nicely and is definitely becoming more alert to commands, I would like to take all the credit, but it wouldn't work if she didn't want to please :D.
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Update – Puppy Foster Mum of the Year
Elsa has been with us since October, with a few weeks stay in kennels while we were away. Although she is always a welcome guest, I am surprised Elsa is still with us, given her lovely loving nature. Over the weeks Elsa has really settled in with us, she is a lovely girl who is perfectly content with a nice bed, a walk and a bowl of food – a good match for our older dog Buffy. Elsa is now able to be off-lead on her walks as her recall is (mostly) perfect, she enjoys sprinting around the parks /woods and returns instantly when we call her name. The only lapse in her brilliant recall happens when she sees another dog close-by, we usually just put her on the lead until we make sure they are ok with dogs and then she gets to meet them. Elsa is very friendly with other dogs, so this has never been a problem. The key to Elsa’s recall has been small cheese treats, she loves her food and almost dances when she thinks there is a treat on offer.
For the past two weeks Elsa has been indispensable in our home as she has played a central role in helping our two 6/7 week old foster pups settle into our home. During this time she has been mum to the pups, settling down with them during the day while we are out, letting them cuddle into her to keep warm. She has patiently cleaned them and put up with lots of puppy play throughout the day and never seems to mind their constant attention. She has shown a real tender side and it has been lovely to see. The pups have grown so confident and reassured with her mothering (well, who wouldn't be confident with a Staffie for a fostermum?). What a girl, I do hope the New Year brings with it a new family for Elsa, she deserves it.
If you are interested in Elsa please submit an application, should you have any further questions let us know and we will be happy to discuss Elsa's profile further.
Photos to follow...
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:) :) :) :) Elsa you're the most deeeelishous girl & sooo good with the poopies angel.gif, hopefully now the holidays are nearly over someone will be looking for a faithful friend just like you :-*
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Elsa you are a sweet little lady and so kind and caring to the puppies. I hope your very own sofa is not too far off :luv:
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Bless her, that is so sweet to hear how great she is with the puppies. Her forever home is out there somewhere, heres hoping the new year brings her good news xx
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Lovely update Jenny, Elsa seems like such a sweet girl. Hopefully her forever home will be just around the corner angel.gif
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Hope your forever home comes soon Elsa, you sound a lovely girl. angel.gif
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I have met Elsa today on a walk - a chance meeting!
What can I say: Elsa is a very beautiful girl, no offence but she is much prettier in real live than on the pics ;) She is a gorgeous little Staffy girl with glossy coat and such a pretty face! And more than a pretty face: she was very well behaved both on and off leash, polite and friendly with the dogs she met and nice and rather charming to me, too :)
Elsa was out with the pups she is helping to foster and she was great with them, very patient and kind.
Altogether, a wonderful sweet girl!
Good luck to your new owner - hope he finds you soon.... :)
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I'll definitely get some new pictures on here either today or tomorrow, so please check back again.
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You sound like the perfect house guest Elsa, someone is missing out on this gorgeous girl :luv:
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Any chance of seeing some pictures of Elsa soon? I know there were some great ones of her in the early postings but they seem to have disappeared. Pretty please - she sounds such a lovely girl.
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Update***Elsa met a bigger, stronger , younger male version of herself yesterday on the Cynon Trail and we all had a fabulous time together. Elsa and her new mate ran up and down the path, side by side leaning into each other for about 15 minutes. They raced up the path, in perfect step, to the bend in the trail and then turned and raced back for lots of hugs, then off again, down the trail in perfect step - it was so heartening to watch. Especially because when Styx, the last pup, went on Sunday, Elsa was lost. I was so surprised to see her sitting in her bed looking so unhappy after he went - I thought, like Buffy, she would be celebrating the bit of quiet in the house, but she clearly thought Styx was her forever friend. Meeting this dog had brought back her spark, she looked so content afterwards, it is good to have her staffie grin back... More Elsa adventures to come - a walk down the Taff trail to Cardiff and a trip up Pen-y-fan today...
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Elsa you sound like a gorgeous girl :luv: I can't understand why you are still waiting for your very own sofa :)
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Finally some new Elsa pics...I'm sure she won't be waiting too much longer on her new family...
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Such a beautiful girl :luv: gorgeous big brown eyes :luv: someone is missing out on this lovely lady :luv:
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Elsa is still looking for her forever home angel.gif
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:-* :-* :-* Elsa you are the most bootiful, loving, well behaved girl, you looked after the puppies like a Nanny dog as that's the other name that Staffies are known by :-* :-* :-*
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What happened? we thought Elsa had a new home to go to. :(
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She's re-available :)
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Well she looks a cracker to be fair, we have a 8 year old Rottie and a 7 month old Staffy now, and our Staff has got the same colour and markings as Ellsa.
Its a shame no one has come forward for this girl.
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She's a really lovely girl and has come on so well in her foster home. All she needs now is her very own forever sofa :)
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She has been waiting so patiently for her lovely forever home has any one got a Elsa size space in their family to love and be loved
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IS there a chance she is any good with cats ?
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:) Hiya Sarah & John, how's Freya doing?, I'm sure that Elsa can be cat tested maybe by Kirsty as she has cats & dogs & lives just up the road from Elsa ;).xxxxxxxx
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I'm in Cilfynydd and have a very dog savvy cat if needed too x
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Elsa's reserved at the moment subject to homecheck but it's worth keeping an eye on her thread as we would be able to cat test if needed :)