Anya is a 6 year old female Pointer cross Beagle. This poor little dog had been waiting a long time at a pound in southern Spain and was next in line to be put to sleep when we were asked if we could help her. A very kind German girl offered to pay for her to stay in kennels until she found a home. She went to kennels in Seville in March 19 and was utterly terrified of people (we dread to think what she’s been through in her 3 years of life) and she allowed people to touch her but found it very very hard. Then she went to kennels in the north of Spain and after a couple of weeks there she started wagging her tail when people arrived and was happy to eat from their hands and lick their fingers.
While there she was fine with other dogs although not confident enough to play with them. And now she is in an amazing foster home in Sheffield where she is continuing to get braver. She lives with cats and 3 other dogs. She was very scared of everybody initially but now wags her tail when any family member comes home and she enjoys the company of the dogs although doesn’t play with them yet. On walks she’s a bit scared being on the lead of some dogs and can growl to warn them to keep away but there is no aggression, just a desire to protect herself. She’s nervous with new people but is starting to let them give her treats.
Her foster Mum says she is such a sweet-natured lovely dog. She’s clean in the house. She’s scared of travelling in the car but will overcome that fear with time. She needs a very special, kind adopter, willing to help her overcome her remaining fears. It is incredibly rewarding working with these scared dogs, progress comes in little steps but it is so heartwarming to watch them learn to relax and trust. She has Leishmaniasis but it was caught early and treated in Spain and she is now testing negative and is off all medication. She will need antibody tests every 6 months initially and then dropping down to annually (they cost between £90 and £150 depending on the vet).
In the highly unlikely event she were to have another flareup (none of the dogs we’ve rehomed after receiving treatment for Leish in Spain have ever had another flareup) we will work with our Spanish expert vet and her adopter’s UK vet to provide guidance on the treatment she needs.
