Meet the gentle and affectionate youngster, Annabel.
Annabel is an 8 month old female Cross-Breed and is a medium sized girl who has settled well into home life.
Annabel is a naturally anxious girl, but her Foster Mum describes her as a sweetheart with a lovely nature.
Annabel takes her time getting to know new people, and careful introductions need to be made when there are visitors to the home.
She is more reserved around males than females, which is a common trait with Romanian rescues and is usually the result of previous trauma.
A female primary caregiver would be advisable for Annabel, and any males in the home would need to understand that extra time and patience will be required to build trust and a relationship with her.
Annabel currently lives with another dog whose company she enjoys. After slow, sensible introductions, they have built a good relationship and sometimes share a dog bed overnight.
Annabel has learned to sit for treats but can at times need reminding to wait her turn. She continues to be fed separately from the resident dog as a precautionary measure.
Annabel could live in her forever home with another dog, but her Foster Mum feels this is not a necessity. It is worth noting that she has never been left without the company of another dog since her arrival in the UK.
Should she be an only dog in her forever home, there will need to be a gradual build-up to any alone time.
Annabel was introduced to cats in Romania and did very well with them. She has not met any while in her Foster home.
Annabel has no reported prey drive, although she has always been on a lead in public places, so we feel she could live with dog-savvy cats following slow, careful introductions.
Annabel has not met children as far as we are aware. Given her nervous nature, it would be advisable for her to live with a family who have older children aged 14 years and above, or 12 years and above if dog experienced.
Slow, careful introductions are recommended, along with supervised interactions at all times.
Annabel is toilet trained but not crate trained. She has shown some destructive behaviour within the family home, mainly targeting unattended shoes.
This is typical age-related behaviour, and her Foster Mum feels Annabel simply did not realise they were not toys. She does not actively seek items to chew, and the destruction has not extended beyond shoes.
Annabel is regularly left with the resident dog for periods of 2 to 3 hours several times a week without issue. She has also been left on occasion for up to 5 to 6 hours, again with no problems.
Annabel settles and sleeps very well overnight, either in a dog bed or on the floor beside her bed.
Annabel accepts a lead and harness, as well as a coat in inclement weather, and she loves her walks. She walks well without pulling and shows no reactive behaviour while out and about. She is interested in meeting new people and greets other dogs in a calm, friendly way.
Annabel is an excellent travel companion in the car. She wears a dog seatbelt and either sits nicely or calmly lies down on the back seat.
Annabel’s Foster Mum has the following to say about her:
“Annabel will need time to settle into her new home, but she is eager to learn and very food motivated, which really helps. One thing to note is that you need to pick up her poo as she does it, otherwise she eats it straight away. She does not really like the hoover and will hide when it is being used.”