Tilly – Adopted

Tilly is an absolutely sweet but worried 5-year-old, 40 lb. GSP mix. She’s been living with foster parents and 3 other dogs in a home in the front range of Colorado. She had a rough few months living on the streets, but was picked up through a wonderful rescue program and has been learning about life with loving foster families. She has been slowly progressing the last few months and is now looking for a patient family who she can settle with into her forever home.

Things that are good for Tilly:

– Secure yard (6ft fence); she likes to run and sniff in her foster parent’s yard and now prompts to be let out at the back door.
– Safe spaces and crate time for her to be an introvert is necessary.
– Lower energy houses.
– Good food; she now hears food being prepared and runs to her crate to receive it. We top her kibble with raw food and she’s a big fan.
– Trazadone. She’s found success taking trazadone twice daily. It does not sedate her but helps with anxiety and has given her the bandwidth to progress.
– Neighborhood walks. She would benefit from someone who likes to jog, but does not need a normal GSPs worth of exercise. Calm walks and yard time would be enough. She has been introduced to hikes but don’t think it’s essential for her.
– Someone who is conscientious of her flight risk. She can get into a panic and looks for space. She will need to be put in her crate or behind a closed door before an exterior door is opened. She has never tried to break out of our fenced yard but would still need some supervision as she learns her boundaries.
– Affection. It took some time, but she is now prompting her foster parents for scratches and love. She still largely prefers to be nearby but not cuddled up; but does look for affirmation.

Things that are hard for Tilly:

– Loud traffic noises. Neighborhood walks are fine but walking along the main streets or highways can trigger some panic. Although she is getting much better with traffic noise, she would probably not prefer city living. A martingale collar is essential for keeping her safe.
– Barking dogs. She’s gotten better with our playful GSPs and does enjoy other dog’s company; however, she would likely prefer a dog who isn’t trying to play with her all the time. A good pairing with an older or lower energy dog.
– When she’s in a panicked state she can retreat into less than ideal spaces; e.g., under the bed, behind furniture and, in her latest trick, she’s figured out how to intentionally close herself into a bathroom!

Tilly Insights:

– She has laid next to her foster parent as he’s worked from home for almost three months and never made a noise. A solid coworker. Because of her desire for quiet time, she could also do well with parents who do not work from home.
– She is completely housebroken and will run to our back door when she has to go out.
– She has never displayed any form of aggression to people, dogs, cats, children etc. Even when scared or in a panicked state.
– She progresses when she’s pushed. Part of the balance of Tilly is understanding her needs as an introvert but still making sure she’s expanding her comfort zone.
– She has made slow but steady progress building trust and confidence throughout her stay with us. I assume she will have some setback moving to a new environment, and may never be a typical dog; however, I have confidence that a home who has the time and patience to allow her to develop will get a very sweet and sensitive little girl.