Project Description

Adoption Fee: POA

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Adoption Application Form

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NB: We do not rehome interstate or to applicants under 25. It is our policy not to rehome dogs in the Sunraysia area. As rescue groups have transported thousands of homeless dogs from Mildura and Sunraysia pounds over the last decade, we do not intend to send any back there.

Breed: Female Maltese x Bichon Frise
DOB: 09/12/2014
Weight: 5.6 kgs
Location: Bendigo

IVY ST CLAIR needs a carer who may have to have her for some time and an adopter.

We’re looking for a carer for little Ivy St. Clair, a special soul who needs regular medication and monitoring as her health improves. Ivy has diabetes and Cushing’s disease. Her foster care may have her for a longer period (as people are often hesitant to adopt diabetic dogs), so we’re looking for a special foster carer who can commit to long term care of Ivy if needed. Ivy’s current carers were only available for a short- term period due to work commitments (hence being advertised again). If you’ve read Ivy’s profile in the past, please read it again as we have made significant changes due to marked changes in health, and have added more detail.

All about Ivy:

Ivy is a total sweetheart who loves human company. She loves to sit on your lap, be held and cuddled, but is also happy to rest on her mat somewhere close to you – content that she is near humans. Ivy’s current foster carer has been working primarily from home and reports that Ivy doesn’t bark or make demands (so she won’t interrupt any calls or meetings). Ivy likes to drag her bed over next to her carer while she works (to keep a close eye on her!) and will sit on her lap during meetings if invited.

Ivy’s current carers report that she is a lot of fun to have around. The only reason she is seeking new care is due to their work commitments meaning long term care wasn’t feasible (i.e., no fault of Ivy; rather, they wish they could continue her care).

Ivy very much enjoys going for short walks and wags her tail excitedly. Due to her diabetes, her exercise should stay relatively consistent unless her vet suggests otherwise – she’s not the dog to go on hikes with you (unless perhaps she was carried in a dog carrier or dog bike trailer, which she might enjoy!). She walks well on the lead and likes to explore the neighbourhood. She doesn’t yet know many commands but is eager to learn.

At present Ivy doesn’t enjoy being left alone. This is the only time she barks. She hasn’t had a lot of consistency in the past year, so this may change when she does have consistency, but we feel she would be most comfortable in a home where an adult was around most of the time to keep her company. Or, where she could come with you sometimes. Ivy travels well in the car, walks well on the lead, likes being held/carried, and is SO happy to be out and about with people. Her carers have taken her to a market, on short and long drives, to the homes of family and friends (without pets) with no issues. She eagerly gets in the car and will greet and accept attention and handling from other people. However, she will seek out any little crumb of food she can find, and due to her strict diet, needs to be monitored when out to ensure she doesn’t find a forbidden treat!

Ivy also enjoys playing with toys and being cheeky in general. This little girl has a real spark for life and will make you laugh. She brings her current foster carers a lot of joy. Even though she’s currently in a period of change and medication adjustment, she is a happy soul. She does like to follow her carers around (even to the bathroom), and won’t give you much privacy though.

Ivy’s needs:

Ivy has diabetes and Cushing’s disease. We are working with a team of experts to control these conditions, and Ivy has been progressing nicely. Ivy’s next foster carer will have access to these experts for advice and monitoring (at no personal cost).

In terms of medication, Ivy currently needs insulin shots at 12-hour intervals after her meals (currently 7.30am/pm). These are administered with an insulin pen with very short needle tip, which are easy to use. While Ivy initially resisted the insulin administration, she is now in a good routine (involving treats) that she tolerates without hassle. Ivy also takes medication capsules for her Cushing’s (which wrapped in a little cheese are her favourite). Ivy gets very excited about her food, and will look at you knowingly when it’s getting close to mealtime, but doesn’t bark or make demands.

Due to these two conditions, Ivy has lost some weight and hair, but these are coming back, along with her energy and charisma! Ivy still drinks a little more water than the average dog, but this is decreasing, and she uses a dog door to go out when she needs to.

Ivy’s optimal new carer:

Ivy’s optimal new carer will live in an adult only household (or one with older kids), where someone is home most of the time (or Ivy can join you when you leave the house). You’ll have no other pets and have time to take Ivy on a short daily walk and regularly give her some love and attention. You’ll have a dog door so Ivy can let herself in/out as needed.   Note that we have learnt that Ivy will not tolerate other pets in the household as she does like to be queen bee.

Ivy’s new carer will need to feed her at 7.30am/pm (time could be adjusted with vet permission) and administer her medication, alongside some monitoring (e.g., water consumption). Her present carer says this takes 20 or so minutes morning and night.

Additionally, there will be some vet visits for monitoring. These will be in Collingwood, so a carer based in Melbourne would be most suitable. While Ivy will always need some medication and monitoring, we expect the level needed will decrease in the coming months as her health continues to improve.

If you’re interested:

If you feel you could provide Ivy with regular love and could commit to being home to feed and medicate her at the same time in the morning and night, please get in contact with us. This girl is such a cute and funny dog, and deserves a loving home. Ivy’s current carers are motivated to help her find a new home/carer and will happily talk you through her care and routine so you can make an informed choice and ask any questions you have.

Microchip Number: 956000003648623
Source Number: RE120211
Medical Notes: Ivy’s Cushings and diabetes are being controlled.

All our dogs are desexed, C5 vaccinated with intranasal, microchipped, wormed, and flea treated. All necessary vetwork such as dentals, surgery, eye treatment are also carried out. We are no longer heartworm testing as we have not had one positive test since we began in 2006. If a dog comes to us on heartworm treatment this is continued.