"Vinnie"
STATUS: Unavailable - on trial 28/12/2020
Arrived in NZCR care: 24 September 2020.
DOB: Unknown DOB - estimated to be March or April 2020.
Sex: Male.
Breed: Mixed Breed - Chihuahua x Bichon.
De-Sexed: Yes.
Micro-chipped: Yes.
Registered with NZCAR: Yes.
Vaccinated: Yes.
DogsNZ (NZKC): No
Council Registered: Yes - Christchurch City Council (2020/2021 membership).
Cat Friendly: Cat trainable.
Child Friendly: 8 years and older only.
Human Sociable: Yes.
Dog Sociable: Yes.
* TBC = "To be confirmed"
Background:
We have limited information on Vinnie. He was found wandering in Wainoni, Christchurch with no microchip and no owner came forward to collect him. The lovely staff at the Christchurch City Council Animal Shelter have been caring for him and reached out to us to see whether we would be able to assist.
Vinnie is a bigger boy! he is around 6kgs and built like a miniature Staffy or larger Jack Russell cross. For interests sake, we have conducted a DNA test which confirms Vinnie is: Bichon Frise: 34.9%, Chihuahua: 24.7%, Russell-type Terrier: 20.8%, Pomeranian: 10.1% and 9.5% unknown / mixed (possibly from Pug or Smooth Fox Terrier) See photos for results!
Personality:
Vinnie is simply lovely! He is a very chilled out, cuddly little dog who loves to throw his toys around or find a warm spot in the sun to nap. Despite his terrible start to life, Vinnie is just a typical, happy go lucky little puppy most of the time.
Vinnie is great on the leash and enjoys getting out and about, making friends. Vinnie is toilet-trained and crate trained. At present he sleeps in a crate, in his foster carers' bedroom. He would also love to sleep on/in the bed, if allowed! He is a bit unsure in the car, it is clear he is uncomfortable (ie. he freezes) but we think this is due to his vision issues and that travelling may therefore be unsettling for him. Vinnie is best travelled in a crate in the car.
Vinnie is social and great with other dogs of a similar energy level - he loves to play with other dogs, or his toys but can become overwhelmed by dogs that are too boisterous. Vinnie would best suit a dog of a medium energy level. Vinnie would also be fine as a solo dog, with plenty of human company. He needs to be kept busy and have lots of toys around to prevent naughty behaviors (ie. chewing).
Vinnie is an active little guy and will need an owner who is able to keep him busy. Vinnie is food motivated and we are working on the basic commands with him at present. Any Adopter should continue this. His injury has not affected his brain - he is clever and learns very fast.
Vinnie is generally great being introduced to new people. Sometimes his sight can make him unsure - he might be a little more quiet around strangers or in new places initially, but quickly warms up and makes himself comfortable.
* More information to be added at a later date - once we get to know Vinnie better.
Health:
Vinnie is a dog with some special needs. He is mentally very competent (clever in fact!) but has suffered an injury to his brain which affects his vision and at times, his balance. Unfortunately, we believe that someone has intentionally hurt little Vinnie as the scars on the head are not natural. Vinnie has intermittent balance and sight issues (ie. no depth perception.) and tends to "circle" if he's stressed. He takes a little while to learn new environments (ie. stairs etc) but has come a long way.
Vinnie received his preliminary check with our vet on 24/09/2020 and was vaccinated up to date. Our Vet's report in relation to the above issues is as follows:
1. Skull Fracture
There has clearly been a fracture at some point, likely from blunt force trauma to the front part of the skull. There is no movement of any bone fragments that I can feel with him conscious, but there has obviously been some displacement of bone fragments in the past.
2. Neurological issues
Obviously these stem from the skull fracture, but include a head tilt to the left, a slightly high stepping/stilted gait and a reduced menace response in his eyes. I suspect he may have some vision deficits but he can obviously see well enough to navigate around a room without any major difficulty. We think Vinnie's head injury has caused damage to his vision and balance but it has NOT affected his intelligence. Vinnie has learnt his name in only a couple of days and also knows "come". Obviously, we cannot tell what the future holds for Vinnie (as we cannot for any of our dogs). We do not know if he will develop any further complications. We have investigated his injury and no further tests / treatments will assist the damage that has been done. At present, he is a happy, otherwise healthy dog.
On 01/10/2020 Vinnie was be de-sexed, received skull x-rays and had a couple of retained baby teeth removed at the same time. The x-rays show that there is still a hole in the left side of his skull (approx. 1cm round). Unfortunately, there is nothing we will be able to do to improve the visual appearance or effects this injury has had on Vinnie’s vision.
Vinnie was already micro-chipped by the Council and his details added to the NZCAR database. Vinnie has been flea and wormed while in Trust care (we do so every 3 months).
Note: We have received inquiries from prospective adopters asking about Vinnie's long term health. Any Adopter considering Vinnie (or any of our dogs for that matter) needs to be able to commit to Vinnie regardless of what his future may hold. As noted above, Vinnie's head injury has caused damage to his vision and balance but it has NOT affected his intelligence. Obviously, we cannot tell what the future holds for Vinnie (as we cannot for any of our dogs). We do not know if he will develop any further complications throughout his life (the same as with any of our dogs, hence why we recommend insurance!). However, we have investigated his injury as far as is necessary and no further tests or treatments will assist the damage that has been done. At present, he is a happy, otherwise healthy, normal little dog.
Help us to Help Vinnie!
Vinnie will need a lot of medical assistance going forward. 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 Vinnie by donating to the cause, small or large, any amount helps! Please also contact us for a receipt and you can recieve 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: "Vinnie"
By credit or debit card to our GiveALittle:
https://givealittle.co.nz/org/nz-chihuahua-rescue-trust
Adopter Requirements:
- Canterbury-based adopters only, please do not apply from other parts of New Zealand. At present, applications are only open to local adopters so we may assist with his integration. Vinnie would NOT cope being flown or driven too far. As noted above, he is very uncomfortable with travelling.
- Any adopter must have a fully fenced property with fences that are of a decent height, with no holes or gaps.
- Adopter must be part time worker, active but retired, or permanently working (part time hours) from home. No full time workers or those out of the house often need apply please. Vinnie is a young dog who needs a lot of time and energy put into him. He is not suitable for a full time worker or to be taken to a busy work office environment or to a doggy daycare. This would just overwhelm him.
- Vinnie would do well with another dog of a similar (medium) energy level. He has a decent amount of energy, is very dog sociable and loves to play with other dogs. He would be fine as a solo dog however.
- Vinnie would be a great family dog, but for children over say 8-10years who have doggy-knowledge.
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:
$400.00
NOTE ON 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: desexing 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, orthopedic 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 full 100% of all adoption fees go towards the dogs in the care of the Trust.