BunnyBelle

BunnyBelle,  age 2 1/2

AVAILABLE

WEIGHT: 70 pounds (somewhat plump)

Update: 10/22/12:

Isn’t she gorgeous, and what a sweet face! So who could be mean to a beautiful girl like this one? Her original owner, that’s who. The caring neighbor who took Bunny in had witnessed the young dog being yelled at and handled roughly—and one day, when she looked out an upstairs window and saw Bunny being kicked forcefully in the ribs several times, she marched next door and said, “Do you want this dog? Because if you don’t, I do!”  “Take her,” was the response—and that’s how beautiful Bunny began her new life. Never underestimate the power of a single caring heart, as the saying goes—and how true it is. Bunny stayed with her rescuer for a few months, getting healthy and learning indoor manners, but two kids and three dogs in the house was a lot, so: “I want her to have a home where she can be the center of attention!”

For a former yard dog, Bunny took to indoor life like a… well, like a typical Golden! At her foster home, she’s been left in the house loose for up to 7 hours, “and when I return there’s not a thing out of place. She is babygated in the bedroom and all is well.”

Bunny tends to jump when she’s nervous, in new situations, when she’s excited about a play toy. Yet the sensitive dog instinctively modifies her behavior for kids: “I have seen her now with three different children, & her demeanor changes. She keeps all four feet on the floor and is very quiet and gentle.” With other dogs, “Bunny has a little play growl and I think it got her in trouble with my two at the start, but now she is fine and they all play very nicely together.” 

Bunny was terrified of getting in the car at first, but now she just jumps in happily. She’s good on lead, too—but if something spooks her anywhere, she’ll lie down, roll over, and not move, PERIOD. You have to be very careful that this doesn’t happen when you’re crossing the street! “I actually had to pick her up and move her to the curb the other day. I’ll hasten to say that as she gets all settled in, she’s doing this less and less, but in a new household she may do it again till she feels secure.  I am not sure what triggers it, but the best way to get her up is to just let her lie for a minute and then get very animated and say OK Bunny, let’s go! or maybe carry a ball with you and bounce it.” One other thing that’s a work in progress is “release”! “Bunny is ball-obsessed, so I would not let her play ball around kids till she learns to drop on command. That is the one thing that she locks jaws on!  But she has never growled or snapped when I try to get it from her, and she is getting better about dropping it.”

Bunny is a funny girl!  “She can turn on the excitement and play ball or tug or go for a walk with gusto, but she is calm as can be in the house and has a perfect OFF switch. And she is one of the prettiest girlies I have seen.  She is just a beauty and except for the jumping up and lying down when she’s alarmed, she’s perfect. She could fit in anywhere, really; she just needs to feel safe and secure, and her new family has to understand that this may take a little while.  Bunny is a true gem!”

Update 10/11/12:

Watch this space for BunnyBelle's story and pictures as we get to know her better!

Adoption Procedures