MEET TWILA

STATE: near Buffalo,NY
AGE: 4 years
DOB: 11/04/20
WEIGHT: 60 lbs
SEX: female
NEUT/UTD: yes/yes
COAT COLOR: fawn & white
CHILDREN under 4: no (no history)
CHILDREN OVER 4: yes
SEPARATION ANXIETY: No
OTHER DOGS: yes
CATS: no (no history)
CRATE TRAINED: yes
HOUSE TRAINED: yes
OBEDIENCE TRAINED: no
LEASH TRAINED: learning
MICROCHIPPED: yes
ADOPTION FEE: $475

12/26/24-Twila has started to engage with Bruno a little more. She will give him a playful punch or run next to him when they get excited. She wags her tail when she sees him. And likes to be in whatever room he is in.  I’ve been putting her “collar” on her every morning, with a treat. She’s pretty good about it now. Unfortunately, I have had no success with leash training. I try multiple times a day with treats I know she likes (peanut butter, cheese), and she may take a step or two, but nothing more. She freezes up, and sometimes shakes.  It makes me sad. I think she would love a walk. I’ll keep working with her.  Twila is good about going outside. Since I can’t lead her, and I feel bad picking her up because I can tell she doesn’t like it, I now notice her cues (she walks over to the door to the backyard), and I open the door and walk away. If I stand at the door she will circle and not go out. If I walk away and she has to go out she will run outside and go right on the grass or snow. She has only pooped on concrete so far (weird, but whatever as long as it’s outside!).  

Her spay site is healing very nicely. She’s a good eater. I mix kibble and a spoonful of wet food as she’s a good girl and deserves a little treat. We’ve heard her bark a few times. She has a very polite little raspy voice. Shes picked up a few toys and tries to mimic Bruno by playing with them. She is also a pillow thief.  Also she loves this dog bed we put out for her with her soul.  As long as she has one fiber of herself on it she’s happy.  If she’s not doing her rounds of the house or playing with Bruno, she’s snoozing on the bed. Shes pretty chill, all in all.

12/21/24-We are getting more comfy and *thinking* maybe it might be nice to get on the couch. Yesterday it was one paw. Today we tried two paws. Maybe we will get 3 tomorrow. LOL Twila is also starting to go to the door when she needs to go outside. And….instead of me having to pick her up and put her outside, when she actually has to go she will go out when I open the door. Twila is waiting for her new home to scoop her up! 

12/18/24-Twila is funny about the leash like many commercial breeder dogs. I’ve been working with her several times a day, putting the lead on her and giving her lots of treats and affection. I’ve also been starting to try to encourage her to walk towards me when she’s on the leash and I give her the sign to come. Right now if she doesn’t go where I want her to I just pick up all 60 lbs of her! Lol We will keep working on it!

12/17/24-No more babies for sweet Twila! She did fantastic during spay surgery and she is home resting. The veterinarian said he did not detect any heart murmur. This we find is common on initial intake for breeder dogs for other vet to think hears one but our regular vets don’t. We have learned it’s a combo of things happening on day 1 checkup: it’s extra noisy(usually 25+ scared breeder dogs at once), a quick check up & high stress environment. Our vet recommends a full dental cleaning with her new family eventually however, did not see any teeth that needed to be taken care of immediately. Also he looked at her foot and said in his opinion that amputation of that toe would be cosmetic because she walks on it fine and does not seem to be experiencing any pain from it (appeared as old break that healed), so we did not do it. Twila will be ready to go home in a few days!

12/16/24-We are practicing car rides. Twila decided maybe it’s kind of fun to see the world. She does not like the leash. At all. She will follow me anywhere I ask her to, but as soon as I out a leash on and pull her stubborn kicks in, she plants her feet and gives me a look like “this is not happening”! Lol She gets spayed tomorrow. After her spay I will start with leash training so she becomes more comfortable and is eventually able to enjoy the pleasures of a walk! Still no accidents, sleeping, eating great. Coming out of her shell. SO happy to see everyone in the morning and gives us all some wiggles and wags.

12/15/24-Twila has decided she loves the comfort of this dog bed. She is very excited by this crunchy, squeaky turkey toy. Hasn’t had any accidents in the house or crate. Eats well. She’s still very curious – checks the entire house out several times a day. (Like she’s doing manager rounds! Lol). Her feet are huge – you can hear her as she pads through the house. Sleeps soundly in her crate at night. No trouble walking on her foot with the wonky toe. She is still unsure about human affection. We let her come up to us. Once we start petting her she doesn’t want us to stop. Loves the behind the ear scratches. She’s met a bunch of people – men, women, kids – and seems fine with them all! Just timid a bit still. We love her.

12/14/24-We are doing great over here! Twila got a little scrub-a-dub last night (her coat is so soft now!) and we let her explore a little. She was kind of like a kid in a candy shop checking out all the Christmas decorations and nooks and crannies. At first, she didn’t like our dog Bruno in her space, but then once she realized he wasn’t going to be another one of her baby-daddies, she warmed up. Lol She wasn’t interested in food last night, but ate some breakfast this AM. She slept all night in her crate without a peep. No accidents. We tried to go outside, but no dice. (I actually had to pick her up and bring her outside – which I don’t blame her – it’s like 12° this morning!). She’s drinking just fine. This morning she made her rounds into all the rooms to reacquaint herself. She seems to really love my 10 year old daughter. And was great today with Bruno, even letting the “sniff test” happen a few times. Great first 12 hours.

12/13/24-Twila is a very sweet 4 year old female boxer that came in today from a commercial breeder as they just didn’t need her anymore. She arrived safely into rescue tonight thanks to her transport volunteers. She has her spay next Tuesday where we will also have a broken looking toe & possible heart murmur checked out too. Once she is spayed & we get to know her a little bit she will be ready to go to her new home!