This is the story of Dixie. The dog we rescued and brought into our home. Unfortunately I couldn’t force Haylee to like Dixie, and the tension increased over time leading me to find Dixie a new home. A nice home with good people who fell in love with her at first sight. She’s a special dog and deserves to be spoiled. I’m about to send her a care package with some fun goodies. It’s a late Christmas present. I think about her a lot and miss her cute under bite and crazy fence climbing. It makes my heart happy though knowing she’s in a good place now.
” Sweet and cuddly brindle Boxer-Greyhound mix, seeking a loving home. We found her wandering the streets of Orlando, skin and bones and wearing a tag with her name on one side and the name & phone number of the woman who abandoned her on the other side.”
(Orlando, Florida)
Garbage day used to be one of Dixie’s favorite days of the week. She was almost guaranteed to find some scraps of food in somebody’s bag of trash left out for the waste management to take. The neighbors garbage was her only chance to put something in her belly ever since her Owner decided to leave her in the back yard of the house she abandoned. I can only imagine what this 1-year-old puppy must have gone through before she was abandoned, let alone during the weeks she was forced to survive on her own in the summer of 2012.
I first caught sight of her one morning when I was walking my dog before work. She lifted her head from the trash bag and looked at me curiously. Her tail wagged but as we approached she turned and bolted through the broken fence. She came back out after we continued walking only to be scolded at by the next door neighbor who’s trash bag she tore up all over his driveway in search for food. When I looked back and saw him chasing after her with a shovel, I knew I had to intervene. I walked home then walked back down the road to where I saw this hungry, scared skinny pup, with a leash in my hand, determined to bring her home where she would be safe.
That happened over year ago in August of 2012. Ever since that day, Dixie has had a roof over her head, two bowls of food a day, plenty of fresh water available, vaccinations, heartworm preventative and flea preventive every month, a new collar, lots and lots of toys, a nice cozy bed to sleep on, trips to the dog park, walks on her very own leash every day and as much love as she could possibly take.
I really wanted her to work out in our pack, but since day one, there has been a little tension between my 4 1/2 year old dog Haylee and Dixie. Dixie’s fearful submissive personality was clashing with Haylee’s dominant aggressive personality. The fights would usually be over a bone or me and each time there would be blood drawn by both. Haylee is a much stronger dog and Dixie is not a fighter at all. She won’t even flee the scene.
There were many many more good days than there were bad. I have tons of photos of the two of them sleeping and cuddling together, playing tug and eating next to each other, we’ve all shared the same bed a lot of times when I would give in to their sad puppy-dog eyes.
With our most recent move into our new home, things have escalated badly and fast. Dixie was terrified of Haylee, but still wanting to please her, and Haylee wouldn’t back down. Before, I was able to predict a fight before it occurred because it usually happened over these certain bones. Then it got to the point where I couldn’t predict them anymore and I wasn’t seeing any signs to help me figure out what the problem was.
Dixie began skipping meals even when I have them fenced off inside separately or in separate rooms. She’s stopped wagging her tail when she’s in the house and seems like she is constantly in fear. It sucked. This broke my heart and wasn’t fair to anyone, most especially Dixie. All I’ve wanted was for her to be safe and never have to worry about food, shelter, and love ever again. I knew I could give it to her and take good care of her but I wasn’t planning on Haylee not getting along with her.
So now, as much as it hurts me, I’m having to find her another warm, welcoming and loving home. Hopefully this one will be the last one for her. She deserves to be happy because she has so much love to give and will give her Owner just that.
Dixie is: * 2 years old (birthday July 24 2011) * 45 lbs * Up to date on ALL vaccinations * Spayed * Submissive personality, aims to please * Very Social (loves dogs although she gets along better with smaller ones) * Human friendly (she likes humans more than dogs) * Appreciates EVERY toy she is given * Super fast, needs to be walked or jogged every day * Is currently on Heartguard (Heartworm Preventative) * Is currently on Advantix II (flea & tick preventative) * Scared of water although she’s a lot better at bath time (baths 1-2x month)
Currently Dixie is living in her new home with her new family that loves her very much. She’s been there since August of 2013. I check in with them to see how she’s doing every now and then.
Mission Pawsible 