Dixie

Hi, my name is Dixie and I am 1 year and 9 months old. I have had a shocking start to my short life. Originally I came from a farm where I was mistreated and then dumped in a pound. Then I was saved by a rescue group and adopted from there by some kind people only 2 months ago. But now they have had an unexpected change in circumstances and will only be in Victoria 14 days out of each month after accepting FIFO work interstate. I have been living with another female Stafford, but I am terribly insecure because of my past treatment and suffer severe anxiety when my humans are not around and can be destructive. The other dog went to their parents but do not feel it is in my best interests to send me there when I have special needs. They have been working through my issues with me and for the first time in my life I am allowed to sleep inside at night in a warm bed and have free use of a dog door to outside during the day. I am happy when humans are with me but panic when I am alone. Once I am feeling secure again all this will change.

To help with the above I come with 5 months supply of Prozac and Stafford Rescue will obtain and pay for another 3 months once those have gone. Prozac works wonders on dogs like me and I will be able to be weaned off the medication once I am feeling safe and secure in my new life. Many Staffords are prescribed Prozac to chill them out. It just takes the edge off and is incredibly helpful.

Depending on where you live Stafford Rescue will also pay for a behavourist to go to your home and teach you the techniques that you need to use with me. This will be discussed with you at adoption. This is not something SRV normally do but they want me to have the best possible chance for a happy life. The $350 adoption fee is not going to cover all of my expenses but this is secondary to them. Their motto is "The dog comes first".

I like children and am submissive, gentle and playful with them. I can be very nervous meeting new people but once I know they mean me no harm I will cover them with kisses and cuddles. I am a bit scared of tall men, vacuum cleaners and sudden movements towards me, but am a sweet and loving dog whose only aim in life is to please you. I am very smart and learn new things quickly. I LOVE food and going to the park and the beach.

I need a very special home with a person or persons who are calm and understanding and who have the patience to spend as much time as it takes for me to get over the abuse I have been subjected to in the past. I cannot go to a home with loud children and need to sleep beside the bed or in the living room to make me feel secure.

It is imperative that the person who adopts me either works from home or is retired and is prepared to put in the hard yards with training and also keep me on the Prozac to help me through this. I also need a very secure yard so that I don't panic and try to escape if there are loud noises and you are not with me.

All I need is someone to take a chance on me and I will replay you
with my loyalty. Like an abused child though, everything takes time. I am sure there is a loving family out there for me and I hope you are reading this. You will have to be patient with me but once you have earned my trust I will repay you a thousandfold with my love.

At the moment a friend of my owners is looking after me in their home but this is only a temporary measure and I URGENTLY need a home by the end of October. They want to avoid putting me in a run or kennels at all costs which would make me even more frightened.

If you think you can offer me a forever home please go to www.staffordrescuevictoria.org.au and fill out an Adoption Request Form. Then ring Jan on 0408 515 111 after you have given her time to read it. Filling out an Adoption Request Form helps us match the dogs to the perfect family and having you on file fast tracks the process.