Gigi is adopted by Nina and pug brother Buddie

Foster Update - August 12

Gigi is a delightful placid dog. She is sweet and loving and is very low maintenance. She has no separation anxiety issues and has a quiet bark which she seldom uses, so could stay alone quite happily through most of the day. Since her UTI was cleared up there have been no housebreaking accidents. This girl would fit into any family single or multiple, children young or old, cats, busy or quiet households.

Gigi is very friendly to people and other dogs, and it's nice to see her finally expecting some love and attention. She is a sedate dog, but can step up to run and play, who enjoys cuddles, but also is able to stay by herself.

Currently, Gigi happily sleeps in a crate, because her foster brother, Jackson, does. This could easily continue, or she would be fine in a dog bed, or if helped on the bed, I'm sure she would cuddle peacefully.

The only things she isn't good with is stairs, so this girl would be one of the rare dogs who would work well in an apartment. Her name was changed in foster care and she is just starting to take notice of it. She does not seem to know any commands. This could be because as a breeder no one spoke to her when she was young, so she doesn't understand the concepts, or coming from Montreal, she might only understand French.

Foster Update - August 12

Gigi popped one staple the first day, but the incision is healing nicely. Having lost a couple of teeth - she didn't have them all to start with, we treated her tender mouth to wet food only for the first few days, but now she is back to 1/2 and 1/2. She seems to have some fungal thing in her nose fold, but we have the medicated wipes to take care of that.

Once her staples are removed Monday I will have the list of adopter requirements ready. Everyone who meets Gigi falls in love with her, she is so sweet and huggable. So if you're looking for a low-maintenance dog who loves to be have her tummy rubbed while blissfully sinking into your lap, this is the girl for you.

Foster Update - August 4

Gigi is much more comfortable now that antibiotics that are clearing up her UTI. There has not been one accident in the house. She dislikes going onto the dewy grass in the morning to pee, either because she doesn’t like getting her feet or teats wet. Her intake sheet described her as paper trained, and I have seen evidence of that. We were visiting with a pug friend who had the Saturday papers scattered on the porch floor, when little miss circled, squatted and pooped on the front page – maybe it was just an editorial comment. She has lost some weight and gained muscle, and is now able to both climb and descent the front stairs (although she hasn’t tried getting to the second floor yet).

While she is usually slow, Gigi is capable of running and occasionally wrestles with her foster brother. I’m not so sure her mouth is tender as she now eats well, but slowly, and we are decreasing the wet and increasing the kibble ratio. She still is quite bewildered by treats and doesn’t attempt the hard biscuits, but goes for softer meatier offerings. I have even seen her chewing on rawhide and nylabones. As well as the physical improvements I have seen Gigi just coming out of her shell emotionally. Gigi vacillates from following me around the kitchen, to watching everything from the family room rug. She is beginning to have some self worth and asks to come up on the couch, approaches people for attention, and is showing a stubborn streak about where she will and will not go on walks (she wet grass above). She is also a noisy girl, stopping and investigating ever new sound she hears.

Gigi still doesn’t respond to her name or commands, but is so easy going, she is a pleasure to have around and will fit into most families.

After dental and spaying on Friday, Gigi will have a recuperation time and then be ready for adoption. Look for adopter requirements in the future.

Introduction July 24

Even though overweight, she is a petite little miss, with a perfect head and face. Her pretty pink tongue is always out ready to give coquettish little kisses. Her back is slightly swayed and it's obviously she has been bred many times, as her undercarriage is tickled by the grass. Her soft coat is double, with a reddish glow, so thick around her neck as to resemble a fur stole. Not unable, but reluctant, Gigi would rather climb than descend stairs, and she doesn't even attempt to jump on furniture. She picked a corner under a chair to watch the evenings proceedings and grab a quick nap. She was willing to go into the crate for a quiet night's sleep, and didn't even eat the treat provided.

She's not an attention hog, but gladly accepts any attention she's given. Her dark, wet, brown eyes are full of love, yet reluctance to expect for too much. Hopefully in the weeks to come she'll realize how worthy she is to be adored. At pug park Gigi garnered lots of attention from the furry gang, and was happy to wander after Maude and was patient with Jackson's attention. In the backyard, she even initiated play. Much like a rhino she got her head under Jackson in an effort to tip him over, and when that didn't work, she tried to mount his back. Toys and treats don't seem to interest her, but it's early days for Gigi, so perhaps she'll enjoy the typical pug amenities once she's settled in. Gigi seemed unfamiliar with walking on a lead, but with a few pauses for a sniff or rest, she is game to head out on new adventures.

As soon as she loses some weight she will be a lot healthier and able to more freely move and play. She's getting a good start on the reduction path, as I had to hand fed her kibble for her first dinner, and she only accepted a handful for breakfast. She even doesn't know what to do with treats. Her teeth are in bad shape and she will likely lose a few, so a sore mouth may be the reason for her preferring canned food.

If her former owner had taken her to the vet instead of the pound, he would have discovered that the peeing issue was a urinary tract infection. She pees voluminously and quickly on walks, and has even asked to go out in the back yard. But several times she peed a murky teaspoon on the floor. Once the sample results come back from the lab, I'm sure the vet will prescribe antibiotics. Gigi suffering with UTI discomfort will soon be a thing of the past. Her eyes look fine and her wrinkle was only slightly grotty, so hopefully a course of antibiotics, dental work, spaying, exercise and reduced diet regime will be all that's needed before she will be ready to adopt.

Foster Mom Victoria