MEET ZINNIA

3/27/22-Zinnia has had a great first week in her foster home. I can safely say she is housebroken. She has not had a single accident in her crate or in the house. That is absolutely amazing for a puppy mill dog! She goes out and immediately does her business. We do have to help her out the door into the fenced yard most of the time but she comes in on her own (with a little coaxing at the door). She gets her front paws in the door kind of acts like she can’t believe she’s allowed back in.

 

Zinnia is good with the other dogs but doesn’t always like to share her toys and can get slightly possessive. Placement with a like minded dog would not be advisable. A more submissive/easy going dog friend would be great for her. She attempts to play with my dogs but if they try to play back she sometimes gets a little scared/growly. It has not been an issue here (my crew just looks at her like she’s nuts for sending mixed messages) but with a reactive dog it could be problematic. She is not aggressive at all, the behavior is more like that of a momma dog loudly schooling her pups.

 

Zinnia is still a little tentative around people but is coming around quicker than expected. I had a few family members over for dinner tonight and I expected Zinnia to hide out in her crate. She didn’t hide! She kept herself busy playing with toys and dragging the giant toy bin around the family room. Then she got some cuddles from my daughter and pets from my mom and happily hung out with us.

 

While she still needs a little work on socializing and coming out of her shell I have seen such great progress in such a short time. To see her excited and happy when we get up in the morning or I come home just melts my heart. Even when she is scared or nervous she is also so excited by humans her little nub just wiggles. Actually sometimes her entire hind end wiggles along with it.

 

Everyone who has met Zinnia loves her. She is so funny and feisty. She just ran through the house with a giant rope toy, galloping around and having the time of her life. Now that play time is over she’s cuddled up on the dog bed with her favorite foster brother. Zinnia would definitely be happiest in a fenced yard. She isn’t too keen on leash walking yet but loves to explore the yard and hang out outside. I will work on getting more pictures of her tomorrow. Her coloring is so dark I’m having a hard time getting pictures that show how beautiful she is! More updates coming soon!