Oakley

Do you have an open position for a cuddle bug in your home? If so, I am the golden girl for you! Just ask my foster mom. I am her shadow and stick by her side throughout the day. I like all the guys in the house, too, but I really like my foster mom. She enjoys my sweet, playful and affectionate nature.

I was relinquished because my previous owners thought I’d torn the cruciate ligament in my rear right leg, and they couldn’t afford the surgery. Turns out my lameness was caused by a broken leg that went untreated and healed in a funny position. We also discovered that my spine suffered trauma of some sort. Thankfully AGaG set me up with a canine physical therapist and months of work with him have made a huge difference for me. To stay fit and flexible, I do need two short walks daily, playtime in the backyard and regular exercises  I do with foster mom. My physical therapist is so committed to my well-being he has offered to meet with my adopters to go over things with them. Nice guy, huh?

I absolutely LOVE fetch, but we play “fetch light” since I should not run or jump much. We can demonstrate that when you meet me. Despite my disability, I am strong and pull when we walk. We have been working on this, though. The doc also says I should not be crated because I need to move comfortably. My foster parents gate me into a safe space where I can’t get into things and I do just fine.

You should know that as cute as I am, I can be a bit of a stinker. I’m very selective about other dogs, which is why I should be the only dog in the house. And we should avoid other dogs when out walking. I also can be people selective, so I need slow introductions to new people (we also tend to avoid saying hi to people on walks because of this). My foster family can explain how they handle this.

Weight: 56 pounds

Good with kids? Best in a home without kids because she will push aside people and dogs to get to “her” person.

Good with cats? Unknown

Adoption fee: $550

Medical concerns: Oakley suffered a fractured right femur that went untreated and healed on its own in a deformed manner, so she has an abnormal gait. Oakley needs a quiet home so that she doesn’t overdo things. However, she can – and should – take regular walks and have regular play sessions to strengthen her back legs and keep them mobile. She takes Rimadyl as needed for pain. She also gets car sick, so she needs Dramamine before trips.

Behavior concerns: Resource guards toys, people and food with other dogs in home; easily trades toys and other items with humans. She also can be reactive toward people, especially men, so introductions to new people need to be carefully managed.

Requirements: Despite her bad leg, Oakley is a dog who thrives on physical activity. Daily walks are not just a routine but a necessity for her well-being. Her strength demands a handler who can keep up with her pace and provide the necessary control during walks. Oakley needs a fenced yard so that she can safely get the extra exercise she needs.

Oakley has had a bit of positive reinforcement training but would benefit from more. One-on-one training is recommended as she wouldn’t do well in a group class. She also needs a quiet home with no other dogs, as well as a home where someone is home most of the time.

We also would like potential adopters to simply meet Oakley first and if they decide she’s a good match, then adopt her during a second meeting.