Lil Debbie the Critical Needs Dog - Our first 48 Hours (1/11-1/13)

Lil Debbie came into our home on 1.11.12, the day before my 33^rd birthday.  She was (is) my first "real" foster, and she is a critical needs case.  She was found as a ‘stray’, tied to a pole, severely emaciated and her growth was so stunted she was only 11.4 pounds full grown.  She also had the worst case of hookworms the vet had seen in 25 years.  Needless to say, this girl was going to need some serious TLC.

The first 24 hours were tough, and I wondered whether I could handle this.  She clearly had to fight for every morsel of food she’d ever had, which was evident any time there was food involved and Rosie was around.  She was intimidated and scrappy and her instinct was to bark or growl, which thoroughly confused Rosie.  She also had issues when she was in her kennel and Rosie was out and about…naturally Rosie was quite curious about the little girl in the crate so she circled about sniffing and pawing and grunting at Lil Debbie.  Rosie wanted to play.  Lil Debbie was petrified and it was clear her only experiences with other dogs were being picked on, bullied, and having her food taken from her.

After only 48 hours Lil Debbie is getting used to the idea of four meals a day, that she does NOT have to share or fight for, and she is warming up and settling in beautifully.  Though she still gets a little intimidated when Rosie tries to play (remember Rosie is 3 ½ times her size and does not know her own strength)…she loves nothing more than to cuddle up with her foster sister whenever she gets a chance.  And Rosie has been nothing but a kind and compassionate friend through the whole process.

If she's not snuggled up with Rosie, it's only because she's trying to cuddle up with you…she is definitely a big time lover of all people (kids too!), despite what someone put her through.  She follows me around incessantly, yet in a very calm and quiet way. She curls up with the kids and lets them love on her and jumps up gently on my husband’s leg for her greeting. She just wants to be near you and know that you’re not going away. 

Lil Debbie is currently working on sit, and low and behold she was potty trained from day one!  We’re two days in and there hasn’t been one accident in the crate or in the house; every time we go outside she knows what she needs to do and gets right down to business.

Little Debbie learns SIT on the first day!

Maybe she’s not the only one who’s settled down.  Maybe I have too.  Because now I know I can handle it…and I know we’ll all be better after having done this.

Go Lil Debbie!