"Pebbles" (no.2)

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Arrived in NZCR care: 29th June 2022

DOB: Unknown - Estimated 2009

Sex: Female

Breed:  Chihuahua - Long Coat

De-Sexed: Yes.

Micro-chipped: Yes. 

Registered with NZCAR: Yes.

Vaccinated: Yes.

DogsNZ (NZKC): No

Council Registered: Yes - Christchurch City Council.

Cat Friendly: TBC.

Child Friendly: 9 years and older. 

Human Sociable: Yes, see below.

Dog Sociable: See below.

* TBC = "To be confirmed" 

Background: 

Pebbles has come from the North Island as her owner is sick and unable to care for her. No further details to provide.

Don’t forget, although 13 years old, Chihuahuas can live anywhere to between 17-20 years old. The oldest was 21 years!

The older dogs tend to have to wait longer for their loving homes, so remember not to discount the lovely older dogs if you are considering a rescue!

With older dogs, the personalities are visible from the start (so no surprises). Older dogs are toilet-trained and social (less effort!) and they are a reasonable commitment, but not as long as a puppy. 

A full 17-20years is a long time to commit to a puppy for some. Especially if considering future work or schooling obligations, or to go travelling. Many are unable to commit to a 17-20-year term with a dog, so adopting an older Chihuahua will still mean you have many years ahead with them and are helping a dog get a second chance at a new home! A dog that may otherwise have been overlooked.

Added bonus – no teeth so no ongoing dental maintenance costs. The cute little side tongue doesn’t cost you extra either!!

Personality: 

It took a couple of weeks for Pebbles to adjust to her foster family, during which she was a little quiet and reserved, never snappy but just unsure. But three weeks on, personality is blossoming. Once Pebbles trust you, she becomes very cuddly and sweet. 

Pebbles' foster carers describe her as, a happy bundle of joy running and playing around from time to time.”  Pebble's former owner describes Pebbles as, "having a very good personality, she likes to keep you company."
 

Pebbles’ foster mum says: “Pebbles really likes to sleep. She naps a lot, too".  Her favorite parts of the day are her walks, sitting in the sun and when she knows we are going to bed! 

Pebbles will make you aware that she wants to be close to you by looking at you with her big eyes and whining, which is very cute. Pebbles just loves cuddling up and being close to you. She is beautiful and sweet and will need someone who is sensitive and loving.”

Pebbles is fine around other dogs, as long as they are not too energetic and mind their manners, not too in her face. Pebbles would not be a match for a family with a young, energetic puppy. But would be fine with another older dog of similar energy as a companion. Pebbles would be fine happily co-existing around an older, small breed dog.

When it comes to meeting people, Pebbles is fine. She can take a little while to warm up and become affectionate, sometimes being a little aloof and doing her own thing. But once she knows you and feels safe, she's very affectionate.

Pebbles can be a little picky with her food - she is on roast chicken (and takes her pills with a tsp of honey or some tasty cheese!) Her former owners state that red meat hurts her stomach. Once she settles in, we will trial her on some kibbles to see if we can improve her diet a little. Pebbles could also lose a little weight (but isn't severely overweight!)

Pebbles is a lovely, quiet dog just looking for a companion for her golden years. She loves to go for the odd walk or drive. But is mostly happy hanging out with you, at home.
 

Health: 

Pebbles' health is stable, she attended our vet on 30/06/2022 and had her bloods taken (as we do with all dogs over 5 years) and they came back perfect.

Pebbles has a heart condition (murmur) and is on heart medications (VetACE and Vetmedin (this can be substituted for Cardisure) for this. These medications will be lifelong, so any potential adopter needs to understand this and commit to the financial costs (they vary depending on clinic - consult your vets for pricing).

We also noticed Pebbles seemed to have a stiff back end and joints. So, Pebbles has been on a course of weekly Synovan injections  (anti-inflammatories) these taper off and become once a month shortly and then once every three months. We recommend any Adopters continue this. Pebbles has also been to Animal Physio, just to see which exercises and treatments may benefit her.

Pebbles doesn't have any teeth - So no future dentals to worry about!

Pebbles has minor cataracts in both eyes - common for a dog of her age. Doesn't seem to impact her getting around.

Pebbles has a lump on her belly that our vet has inspected, it is what is called an "umbilical hernia". No issues and not cancer related. It could be removed if desired by the Adopter (but this would be purely for aesthetic reasons - it doesn't hurt her at all).

 
Pebbles will be flea and worm treated every 3 months while in trust care, to be continued by the Adopter. Pebbles will be adopted out de-sexed, vaccinated up to date, micro-chipped (with the chip registered with the NZ Companion Animal Register and the local Council) as all of our dogs are.

Help us to Help Pebbles!

New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue is a New Zealand Registered Charity run completely by volunteers. Nobody is paid to participate in our Rescue and 100% of the profits go back into the dogs in our care and community dogs needing assistance. We receive no public funding or grants. Our entire income to assist these dogs is derived from kind donations, sponsorship and fundraising projects. We are always short of money and it impacts how many dogs we can assist as each dog that comes into care needs some form of medical and/or behavioral assistance!
 

If you could help by donating to Pebble's cause, all donations, small or large, help us to help her/him! Please also contact us for a receipt and you can receive 33.33% of your donation back from the IRD.

Donations can be made via: 

The New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue Westpac Trust Account:

03-0823-0074502-000 

Ref: "Pebbles"
 

By credit or debit card to our GiveALittle: 

https://givealittle.co.nz/org/nz-chihuahua-rescue-trust 

Adopter Requirements:  

• Pebbles is a candidate for an out of town adoption. Please note: any adopter needs to be willing to travel to Christchurch to meet Pebbles and her foster family. If you are interested in any of our dogs, we need to meet you. No exceptions.

• Pebbles would be suitable for a quiet retired person, or someone working from home, who enjoys walking. A busy household with young children would be too much for her. Any children in the house to be 8 years old and above and doggy-knowledgeable.  

• Not suitable for a home with a large dog and NO young/puppies in the home. But Pebbles would be fine as a companion to a small breed dog of a similar age/energy.  

• Must have a fully fenced back yard with no holes or gaps.  This also includes those living in rural properties (stock fencing is not adequate!)

• Pebbles needs someone who is present, so must be working from home (permanently), or retired. Would be OK if left with a doggy companion part time. Not suitable for doggy daycare.

• Need to be willing and able to meet the cost of Pebbles ongoing heart medications (differs depending on your vet clinic - make sure you investigate this prior). Pebbles is on Cardisure or Vedmedin AND VetACE. We recommend she continues with the 4cyte and Synovan to aid with joints. 

Pebbles: comes with: vet book, registration for the 2022/23 year, her own travel crate, bed/bedding, grooming kit and toys + adopter pack.
 

PLEASE NOTE: Before applying for our dogs, please do read the above adopter requirements and ensure that you meet these. We are very clear about the homes we are seeking. We set the adopter requirements after consultation with the foster carers and consideration of the dogs, needs, welfare and personality. They are strict requirements - no exceptions. Please do not submit an application if you do not meet the above, we will simply respond to confirm the application is declined. Unfortunately, at times this has been the case and we have had to disappoint prospective adopters. This is why we are clear about our requirements prior and note them above. 

Adoption Fee: DONATION to be paid to the NZCR trust account no. 03-0823-0074502-000

PLEASE NOTE - RE: THE ADOPTION FEES AND TRIALS: Our adoption fees are determined by taking into account age of the dog, overall health and funds expended to date on that particular dog. The trust uses these adoption fee funds on: de-sexing surgery, micro-chip and NZCAR registration, vaccines, Council registration, flea and worm treatments, plus any other essentials dogs require such as specialist medications or food, blood-testing, orthopaedic surgeries etc. and any other dog disposables required for dogs in care. Please note: sorry we do not accept payment plans, as we need to be sure adopters are able to financially support dogs prior to adoption - sorry, no exceptions. Please note: the deposit needs to be made to the trust account prior to the changeover date of the dog going on trial. We do not accept cash payments on the date. The full100% of all adoption fees go towards  the dogs in the care of the Trust.