11/02/2021
Our girl is officially available for adoption. A recap: Just after the new year one of our group members shared that this sweet girl was in the Riverside shelter. Luckily another group member won the lottery and rescued her. We immediately worked with The Cavalier Rescue and they took her into their care and got her to her foster mom’s house in Dana Point. Read more below about her health and how to apply to adopt. Let’s keep this sweet girl in the OC!!
ELIZA | LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
🏡 Someone home much of the day/ low along hours
🐶 Canine companion of similiar size & temperament
💜 Older, gentle children okay
Last month we welcomed in sweet Eliza after we sprung her out of a California shelter when she was found stray and never reclaimed. While we don’t know Eliza’s story and don’t have any history or information on her, we do know that she was suffering with medical needs that had been neglected for some time. The good news was that everything was treatable and now after a month of care and treatment she is medically cleared and now ready to find her furever family - one who will love, respect, and cherish her and never allow her to suffer again. While we do not know her date of birth or exact age, her veterinarian believes she is about 7 years old.
Eliza's full intake vetting revealed she was suffering with a urinary tract infection, ear infections, and eye infections. She arrived with very painful, infected, dry eyes and it was no surprise that she scored 0s on her tear test meaning that her eyes were not producing any tears to keep them properly lubricated. Because of the dryness, she developed infection, inflammation, and a corneal ulceration. We started her on several eye medications to heal her corneal ulcer, treat the infection, reduce the inflammation, and boost her tear production. Per her last recheck, her infection has cleared, inflammation is down, the ulcer has healed, and her tear production has greatly improved! Her tear test which was at a 0 on intake is now 16 in her left, and 7 in her right (14 is considered adequate). The right eye had the corneal ulcer so it makes sense why it is lagging and this number should continue to improve over time with continued use of the tear stimulant which she gets morning and night in both eyes and needs to remain on for life. Since she isn't quite at an adequate lubrication level yet, we are also supplementing her tear production with an artificial tear lubricating gel throughout the day. Her last recheck also cleared her of her urinary tract infection and ear infections.
Eliza also underwent a much needed spay and dental while in our care where she lost quite a bit of bad teeth which she doesn't miss a bit. While she was under, we also removed a bothersome and ulcerated growth from her re**um. We sent it out for testing and were happy to hear that it was benign and that excision was curative. She is now all recovered from her procedures and feeling better than ever! While her 'dry eye' will need to be managed with her daily eye drops, she is otherwise healthy and congenitally sound with clear knees, hips, and heart! She is now up to date on vaccinations, spayed, had a recent dental, is microchipped, and on monthly preventatives. The cost of her eye medication is about $20 a month.
Eliza arrived scrawny and underweight but is now a healthy 16 pounds. She has a healthy appetite and loves to eat! She currently eats a mixture of Fromm dry and wet food twice a day, along with probiotics to ensure good gut health, especially since she was on antibiotics for so long. She has a dog bed in the kitchen and prefers to eat from her bowl in her bed. She is also used to having her water bowl in the kitchen as well. In addition to her meals, she enjoys some Fromm cheese treats throughout the day which are her favorite and we will be sure to send her home with a bag.
Eliza is doing great with potty training and her foster mom reports she is 90% reliably trained. She has a safe and secured fenced yard in her foster home and does best when the door is left open where she can go in and out as needed to take care of her potty duties. If there is not a door open, her humans must remember to take her out frequently and give her plenty of opportunities to be successful. She does not 'alert' you that she needs to go out and so you must take the initiative to take her out first thing in the morning, immediately after breakfast, every few hours throughout the day, immediately after dinner, and last thing at night. She does prefer to do her pottying on the rocks or dirt, but will go on grass if on leash and led to it. Good potty behavior is reinforced with lots of gentle praise and petting and her favorite cheese treat.
Eliza's foster mom describes her as sweet, soulful, and curious. She says, "Eliza is a kind, sweet soul that has been through so much and still wants only to please and to be loved. She’s brave, despite all she’s faced, and is very curious about the world around her! Her big dark soulful eyes will melt your heart." In true Cavalier fashion, she is very loving and affectionate and loves to cuddle on the big bed, on the couch, or curl up in her foster mom or dad's lap. She’s a big fan of snuggling with her foster family on the sofa while watching an evening movie.
During her time in foster care we have discovered that she loves walks and it is really her time to shine! She walks like a perfect little lady in her harness and leash and loves to explore new sights and smells—it’s so cute to watch her bounce along, tail wagging and a grin on her face. She also LOVES the beach! She’s very sweet and curious when meeting new people and dogs and wags her little tail. Because she loves getting out and about, her foster family takes her on a daily outing either to the park, beach, or just around the neighborhood. We would love to find her a family who is committed to continuing her leashed adventures so she can be the social butterfly that she is shaping up to be! Because Eliza is a leash walking pro and is comfortable pottying while on leash, we are not requiring a safe and secure fenced yard in her furever home and are open to considering homes without a fenced yard and a family who would be committed to always taking her out on leash.
Her foster mom works from home and she spends much of the day with her hanging out in the home office in a dog bed, or otherwise following her foster mom around the house on her heels. Eliza loves dog beds and they really give her a sense of security and coziness so her foster family has made sure she has one in every room. Did we mention that she eats her meals from her dog bed?! She uses the beds like a "safe spot" to where she can observe what's going on and feel safe and snug. During the limited times when her humans are away from the home, Eliza stays in her comfy crate (which she likes) and does well. Of course, she prefers to be with her people as much as possible and so we are seeking a family with someone home much of the day and where she would have low alone hours. At night she sleeps in her crate with her blanket and stuffed animal but comes into the big bed in the morning for plenty of snuggles to start her day! Be aware that like most Cavaliers, Eliza does snore like a lumber jack!
Eliza has a 2 year old Cavalier brother in her foster home who she gets along with very well. He has played an important role in her rehabilitation process and helping her transition into foster care. She follows him around and has been able to learn and model after him and he has really helped to bring her out of her shell. In addition to depending on him for leadership, she also really enjoys his companionship. They can often be found cuddled up together or using each other as pillows. She doesn't like him to be near her food though but keeping separate for mealtime is easy to manage. We feel she would greatly benefit from a Cavalier companion, or other dog of similar size and temperament. She would love a furiend who would enjoy leashed walks with her but also plenty of couch time together! She has not been around any cats while in our care so we are unsure how she would respond to a feline furiend.
Eliza is brave about meeting people and while she may be a little cautious initially, she warms up quickly once shown gentle love. She likes to take the time to meet and sniff people she encounters while out, and of course everyone just falls in love with her! She can still be startled by sudden movements and loud noises and is getting better about not instinctively running if approached and reached for which is still her first inclination. She does much better when someone is sitting down instead of standing and prefers to come to you instead of reaching for her. She has spent some time with well-behaved and gentle children who are dog savvy. We feel she would do well in an adult only home or a home with older, gentle children who know how to engage with her appropriately. She would be happiest in a more quiet home and not a particularly loud or busy home where we feel she would be overwhelmed. She thrives best with structure and routine and knowing what to expect. She also needs a family who has plenty of time to really devote to her and shower her with love and attention.
Eliza is a gentle soul with a lot of love to both give and receive. She’s a joy to be around and has a sweet, gentle energy. She needs a family committed to continuing her daily eye care needs and who will give the opportunities for socialization and activity that she is so enjoying. She would thrive best with a well-adjusted, confident canine companion to help show her the ropes and continue to help pull her out of her shell, and would be happiest in a home where someone can be with her much of the day. If you feel you are the perfect match for sweet Eliza, then complete an Adoption Application found on our website (TheCavalierRescue.org), and then email us at [email protected] to express your interest. Eliza is located in Laguna Beach, California (travel there is required), and her requested adoption donation is $400.
