Special Needs

The following dogs have various health and behavior issues that require a little more time in our foster care program.  If you would like to help with their care, please consider donating to HEART using the "donate" button at the top of the page!  The care we provide for many of our dogs cost above and beyond the adoption fees we charge.  As a non-profit volunteer organization, we depend on your donations to provide the additional care some of the dogs that enter our program require.

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KaTRIna

Breed: Lab mix

Gender: Female, spayed

Age: about 2 years old

KaTRIna was found by a good Samaritan limping on the side of the road.  She had been hit by a car and needed urgent medical care.  She was taken to a nearby vet where it was determined the damage to her leg was so great it had to be removed.  A call to HEART and we were able to help with the dog and cover her surgery.  She is now in a great foster home and recovering well from her ordeal.  She will be in rehab for a bit longer and will then start to look for her forever home!

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 Zoe

Breed: Chihuahua

Gender: Female, spayed

Age: 2 years

This beautiful little girl came to us from a local shelter where she ended up as a stray.  She was much too timid for them to find her a home, so we accepted her into our foster program.We know nothing about Zoe's background.  Based on behavior we know that human contact was not a part of her life.  She is great with dogs, which indicates to us that she may have been a backyard dog, or perhaps a dog used for breeding purposes.

Without socialization, dogs will revert to a "wild" nature.  They will spurn human contact and avoid human touch.  While she is not the least bit aggressive, Zoe does not encourage or welcome human touch.  We've been working with her for a couple months now and expect to continue socialization and training.  

At this point, Zoe accepts treats from the hand and will enter and leave the house with a person standing at the door.  Both of these are progress for this great little dog.  As we move forward, she will learn to walk  on a leash and, we believe, learn to enjoy human touch and attention!

Janurary 2011 update

Zoe has learned to walk on a leash!  Her first attempt was rather dismal and she simply sat with her trainer by a park bench and watched the world go by.  On her second attempt she followed the other dogs on the group walk- at the back.  She was afraid if any dogs got even with or behind her.  On our most recent walk, Zoe held her own!  Now she's a walking maniac!  Still a bit nervous with people, though.

February 2011 update

Zoe will begin attending adoption events with her foster mom to see how things go!  She's ready to start meeting new people!

If you'd like to make a donation to help cover the costs of Zoe's extended stay in our foster program, please use the "donate" button at the top of this page!