Adoption Fee: $590

If you would like to apply to adopt please
download the application form.

If you would like to know more or have problems using a Microsoft Word document please email us.

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 shi tzu
DOB: 04/07/2012
Weight: 5.2kg.
Location: Toora

Tara Hadley is a determined little sweetheart who just wants a chance to live a healthy life. At 10 years young, Tara still has many good years ahead of her. Tara came to Vic Dog Rescue with untreated diabetes and Cushing’s but also with a determination and a will to live. Tara has improved a lot in her time with Vic Dog Rescue but she has a way to go still. Tara is currently under the care of a diabetes specialist to get her diabetes and Cushing’s in control and to see if her sight can be restored.

Tara was previously an outside dog and is learning to love being an inside dog. She prefers to go to the toilet outside but sometimes the urge hits a bit quickly and she doesn’t make it outside. This will improve as her diabetes improves. Tara sleeps in her own bed in her foster carer’s bedroom. She likes to be close to her people when she can be. Her foster carer works from home and Tara is her home office companion!

When it comes to favourite pastimes Tara has four:
1. Cuddles: sitting on your lap while you scratch her under the chin or behind the ears or rub her back or her tummy and if you stop before she is ready she will give you a determined wave of the paw to demand you continue.
2. Food: this girl loves her food! She eats everything you give her and then checks the floor in case you have dropped something. She might be blind, but her nose knows.
3. Walks: Tara loves going for walks, she trots along like a little pony and loves the feeling of the wind in her face.
4. Sunbaking: Tara is often found sitting on the deck in the morning sun!

Tara is completely blind now, but we hope that her sight will be able to be restored. In the meantime, she does bump into things at times but she has already learnt a few commands to help her get around. “Down” means she is approaching a step down, “Up” means she is approaching a step up and “Wall” means you are about to walk into a wall, little lady. When she hears this one, she quickly turns and changes direction. She is a clever little munchkin and can learn a lot more commands.

Tara is currently living with a quiet dog and two friendly cats and she is quite indifferent to them right now. Sometimes she bumps into them as she walks around but just turns and keeps walking. We think she will enjoy the company of another quiet dog more as she feels better. She does not like “in your face” dogs as she can’t seem them coming and it frightens her. Tara is ok to be left alone for a few hours, but she is very happy to have you back.

Microchip Number: 900012000302251
Source Number: RE120211
Medical Notes: Tara is currently on a once daily insulin injection and eye drops. We expect she will also need daily tablets for the Cushing’s but this is yet to be determined. Tara is completely blind as a side effect of the diabetes, but she will soon see an eye specialist to assess if her sight can be restored.

All our dogs are desexed, C5 vaccinated with intranasal, microchipped, wormed and flea treated. All necessary vet work such as dentals, surgery, eye treatment is 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.