Ria is over a year old now, and I just had her spayed a few weeks ago. I had put it off for awhile because one of her ears had a notch in it, which could indicate she was spayed by trap-neuter-release (TNR), when she was young. The vet said it was unlikely, but impossible to know for sure. Not wanting to put her through unnecessary surgery, I decided to wait and see. She went into heat, so that confirmed it!
She got to come home from the vet the same day and recovered quickly. I was surprised that she’s now 13kg (28 pounds)! This will be her full size, although I’d thought she wouldn’t get much bigger than she was a few months ago.
She’s outgrown her harness, so I had to use one of my other dog’s harnesses to take her to the park. It fits her well. She’s so thrilled to get a chance to run! She prefers grass rather than road, so I have to go at a time when there aren’t many people there.
No more adoption drives for Ria recently because I’ve been trying to get three puppies adopted first (not staying with me!). They were abandoned in a cage at my friend’s house; I put them in a boarding house since no one would foster them and it’s too expensive to do that for long. I don’t want them to end up in a shelter; any dog that goes to a shelter is almost certain to stay there for life. The shelters are all far away, no one can visit, and no one brings dogs out for adoption drives if they’re over 6 months old.
That was why I decided not to let Ria go to the home for dogs with special needs. They never try to get those dogs adopted, and while their basic needs are met, it’s not like having a home. She’s much better off with me, and if there’s no one else out there for her, she can stay here.
I actually got one inquiry for her on Petfinder, someone who sounded nice and responsible and had brought her dog and cat from China. While I was excited about the chance, I did feel a bit sad at the thought of letting Ria go. She said she’d ask her boyfriend about setting up a visit, then didn’t get back to me and never replied after I followed up. Maybe it’s for the best!
That notch on her ear makes her even more adorable! I have never noticed that before. Glad the surgery went well. It’s always best to wait to spay until they’re a little older anyways, to give their bodies a chance to soak up the hormones they need for good health.
Those three dogs … oh my gosh! I am in awe at the work you do to find homes for them, and all the animals who have crossed your path. You really are doing such hard work in touch circumstances. Thank you!
There are a lot of rescues here too that will bring in dogs and then the dogs don’t ever leave. Or there are many who will warehouse dogs in boarding for however long it takes them to get adopted, and that’s no life either. They get their needs met but it’s not like the loving environment of a real family home. Ria is sooooo lucky to have you. Yeah, for the best indeed!!!
Oh, I didn’t know rescuers in the US put dogs in boarding too! Many rescuers do that here because it’s so hard to find fosterers. The dogs often stay in boarding for years and if the rescuers can’t afford it anymore, they end up in a shelter or even back on the streets. I’m going to make sure these three don’t end up like that, whatever it takes!
Oh sweet Roa, you continue to melt my heart💖 Those puppies are adorable too….”almost” as cute as Ria😉
You really are saint too give the care and love that you have to Ria and to all of the dogs who cross your path.
Hmmmm….so you felt a tinge of sadness thinking RIA might be adopted??
I mean, it could be a sign that Ria is where she needs to be. Just sayin’.
Delightful video. 👍 She looks so good!
Thanks so much for the update and sharing this week pictures of Rio and those precious puppies.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Thank you! Haha, I am pretty attached to her…she’s just such a darling!