Fiona

INTRODUCTION As told by Fiona

Like Fiona, the heroine in the delightful “Shrek” movies, I have a regal bearing. I sport a lovely cream-colored coat that catches the eye. But just like Fiona the princess, I have feared the night. At sunset, the fictional Fiona would transform into an ogre. For me, the darkness of the night and the unfamiliar can make me anxious.

Like most other dogs in my circumstances, I am finding the transition from breeder to family member full of adventures and mysteries. My attributes will win me points with you: I walk well on a leash; I’m good in the car; I get along with other dogs; I don’t jump or counter surf or chew. I really don’t bark, except at the critters who live next door; my foster mom calls them “horses,” but they look kind of like HUGE dogs to me and I cannot figure them out! I have not shown any aggressive behaviors.

As a retired breeder, however, there are many things that make me nervous. I’m coming to grips with them, thanks to the loving and supportive foster homes that As Good as Gold has placed me in. But it has been a journey worthy of Shrek and Fiona.

My biggest challenge is that I am still learning to trust. You have to understand that in the blink of an eye I lost the only life I had ever known. There are lots of signs that this new life holds all kinds of opportunities for being pampered and spoiled. So I am slowly realizing that I am in line to win the pet jackpot. Still, just like people, trust comes more easily to some dogs than to others.

My anxiety and uncertainty manifested in many ways. I was petrified by the idea of a house and going through a door to get into it, especially in the evening. My foster mom used every trick in the book to try to convince me that “in” was where I wanted to be: She bribed me with pieces of cheese lined up to the doorway; she had my foster siblings model the behavior of going through the door; she lavished me with affection; she ignored me. If she tried to pull me in by my leash, I “pancaked” to the ground. Time, patience and consistency did the trick. I come when called now and go into the house (unless for some reason I am frightened).

My fear, anxiety and lack of trust were also evident in the way I struggled with housetraining. For a while, foster mom took me out every two hours, and I still had accidents. But as I became more familiar with my surroundings and my new life, this has improved greatly. I am (almost) potty trained. I am sure that once you and I get to be good buds, we will have no trouble there.

Like I said, I am slow to trust, but it will come. I will happily approach foster mom for some loving if she is seated or bent down, but I might think twice if she is standing. It’s all about being patient and giving me the time I need to come around.

I realize that there are elements of my story that might give you paws, but I really hope you will look at the big picture and see the loyal, faithful, fun-loving friend that I will be, given time. I invite you to come and meet me. If you and I are the right match, if I can be Fiona to your Shrek (and you have another dog who will be our Donkey), we will know.

Interested? Let’s talk.

BEHAVIOR

• Shy and timid
• Anxious, but improving
• Will need patient, consistent training

HEALTH

• Not currently, but previously took medication for anxiety.
• Tested positive and took meds for Lyme disease June 2024; will need to be retested in 2025.
• Overall dental/gum health is good but has mild/moderate plaque. Should be monitored.