Maple (Rae)

Within the As Good as Gold family, I am known as the Girl of Many Names. When I was relinquished by my breeder in September, I was given the name Rae; I really didn’t respond to that. So, my foster mom tried Mae and Mabel, which I kind of responded to. Then we tried Maple and bingo, that was a fit! And fitting, because as my foster mom will tell you, I am as sweet as the syrup you pour on your pancakes – if I say so myself.

As a retired breeding dog, I was a bit timid when I joined my foster family (mom, dad, two dogs, three cats and some rabbits!) as well as a bit anxious. But foster mom, who has fostered a few other retired breeder girls like me, says I am her “best breeder momma yet. She is a bit timid, especially when you walk toward her, but she is pretty normal. She approaches for attention, pushes my dogs out of the way for pets, follows us around, barks when we aren’t feeding her fast enough, takes treats from our hands, gets zoomies, plays and interacts and is able to settle.”

My biggest challenge has been learning to relieve myself outside. We don’t know why, but for a long time I felt compelled to hold it for hours (up to 12) and would not relieve myself outside. Instead, I’d let go in my crate – making a big mess for everyone. Maybe that’s because it’s possible I had no other choice in my former life. We just don’t know. My veterinarian put me on two anti-anxiety meds to see if that would help and eventually it did – along with lots of patience and encouragement from my foster parents. I am proud to say I am no longer holding it for so long and I’m relieving myself outdoors – and have been doing so for a couple of weeks now. It’s possible I’ll regress a bit in a new home, just so you’re aware.

Let’s see, what else should you know? I love playing with my foster canine siblings in the yard and running zoomies, and I’ve discovered tennis balls. They’re the best! I chase them and bat them like a cat. Speaking of cats, I really like my foster felines even though I occasionally take a left hook when I’m being too attentive. I also love walks – as long as one of my canine pals comes with (otherwise I pancake and refuse to move). I am not a fan of car rides (I might do better if a furry friend comes along). I definitely need a canine companion in my new home.

I’ll let foster mom chime in here:

“Maple has really come out of her shell the last two weeks and is showing so much progress. She is a sweet girl. Maple will lick your hands if she wants a treat. She is still doing well with being in a crate. Maple will not use a dog bed. We put one in her crate, and she would not go in. She has multiple blankets to add comfort to her crate. Maple’s favorite time of day is feeding time: She eats her food with no issues and lets you know she is hungry! Maple did really well on Thanksgiving with new people. It took her about 10 minutes to warm up and force everyone to pet her, and her favorite treat was turkey and plain sweet potato. Maple will truly make a great dog for a lucky family who can understand her past was not great. Her personality is unraveling more every day, and she is the sweetest pup.”

I do have some minor medical issues, which are detailed below. They do not slow me down at all!

BEHAVIOR

Maple is on Gabapentin and Trazadone to ease anxiety; her doses were recently reduced. She’ll need to stay on these medications for several months in her forever home and should only be weaned off them under guidance from a veterinarian.

HEALTH

• Maple has a slight heart murmur; her echocardiograph was clear and she has no exercise restrictions.
• Maple has itchy skin and has started Apoquel, which seems to be helping.
• Maple’s teeth are worn down; a dental was done and revealed a pocket by a molar that simply needs to be watched and checked at her next dental.