Elsa is settled in her new home in Maryland

And is officially

“Queen of the House”!

“You go girl”!!

LEX AND ELSA – NOTHING MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN BELGIANS IN THE SNOW!

Elsa is a beautiful, Senior Female Belgian approximately 7-8 years old living in Washington State who came to us as an owner surrender. Much to her sorrow, the owner was only able to keep Elsa for a short period of time, as Elsa and her cat did not get along.

~ Elsa’s Temperament ~

A kind and gentle soul, Elsa has opened up during her time in foster. She loves her people and will make a wonderful companion dog for someone who works from home as she only wants to be in the same space as her humans.
When left alone she tends to yip/whine and therefore needs to be in a single family residence, not an Apartment or Condo
Elsa has a fairly soft temperament, and would thrive best in a quiet home without young children and their activities. She is a dog who avoids confrontation when pressed; and needs only a gentle, firm voice when correction is required.
Elsa weighs about 63lbs and is around 25” tall at the shoulders and about 27”-28” long from the base of her neck to the top of tail so she does best in a larger 40” crate in a car, and 48” for home where she can stretch out.
She is a gentle mouth when feeling playful and will pick up a squeaky toy and offer it. Gentle tug is also a fun activity for her. She does have some play drive but it should not be overdone. She is happy to retrieve a thrown ball in the back yard, but does not have a crazy ball drive. She will simply retrieve it.
She is being crate trained since in the care of her foster and while she whines if left alone in her crate she hasn’t caused any damage. She naps quietly in her crate with the door open, or on the couch or on the floor. She does sleep quietly all night in her XL crate in the bedroom. In the daytime she often chooses on her own to go into the XL crate in the living room to nap as well. She is fine wandering around the house without getting into trouble, but crated when no one is home. She will jump into and rides well in a crate in the car.
She does not need a great deal of exercise but is super happy to go for each and every walk offered. Every day she has more of a spring in her step since she has settled in, rested up and gotten good nutrition. Going forward this is not a dog that should have excessive exercise (hiking etc) but she is happy with nice walks. She does do stairs fine. She is a fairly low energy dog so this should not be a big factor relating quality of life for her at this point.
She does show some prey drive. While she tends to take the lead on a flexi-leash she is not a hard puller, UNLESS she sees a squirrel. Small animals that could be seen as prey and not a good idea for her new home. Flexi-leads are NOT recommended due to prey drive.
We have yet to observe any aggression to people or dogs (but small dogs may be the subject of a hard chase if offered the opportunity). She has not been around livestock and probably could not be trusted with chickens.
Elsa checks things out but doesn’t bark in the house. However, she will bark at the neighbor’s dogs and will fence fight with their alpha female Taiwan street dog. She has a loud deep bark when she barks.
We recommend she NOT be placed in a home with another female. Her actions are pretty intense. She does come back to when called off.
While subtle, she does alert to her need to go potty and there have been no accidents.
She knows a few commands – sit, down, shake that are rusty but she is willing. However, she should not be asked to sit all the time as it’s not a comfortable position for her.
She is not a counter surfer, nor does she jump on anyone. She is neutral to strangers, and introductions to other dogs have gone well – she seems curious and her tail is wagging without hackles. She will bark at strange dogs in the distance.
She is currently in foster with a 14 year old male Belgian Tervuren and they are getting along fine
She is overly reactive to fireworks and under no circumstances should she ever be left out on ANY holiday and/or occasion when fireworks are being used as there is every chance she might jump a fence and/or be a flight risk. She becomes restless and paces.
Elsa is not food obsessed. She takes treats gently. Her feeding regimen will be shared further with her adoptive home.

~ Elsa’s Want List ~

We are seeking a home for Elsa with someone who either works from home on a daily basis or stays at home the majority of the time.
We would not recommend her to anyone living in an Apt or Condo.
We also would not recommend her to anyone with a frail condition as during a walk, if she spots a squirrel or cat while on leash; she certainly has the strength to pull you down when she yanks.
Her reaction to small animals needs some positive re-enforcement (i.e. re-focus/treats/etc) it is felt if someone works with her leash walking and provides focus to her on other things when temptation is near it could help. Elsa is biddable and tries.
A pinch collar is NOT recommended for her! She does walk well with a harness. Senior dogs especially can have arthritis in their neck/back/shoulders which can be easily aggravated with collars.

~ Elsa’s Health ~

Overall Elsa’s health is good for a dog her age.
Elsa does appear to have an impact related injury to her right hip socket area possibly caused while she was a stray, but she is not lame.
Her other hip socket is so-so but functional and she does have some arthritis in her back.
She has had some re-occurring ear infections which are now being treated.
She is on a regimen for her arthritis which should definitely be continued. This regimen will be shared with her new owner.

Lex, Age 14 and Elsa have a playdate!

https://www.facebook.com/jan.speer/posts/10217170028797938?notif_id=1641530676949683&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif

Additional Photos of Elsa

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10217180869148940&type=3

~ Final Thoughts ~

There have been massive changes in Elsa’s life over the last few months, and we don’t even have a clue as to what her life was before we met her!However since she has come into our system, we do know Elsa has faced the following:

Been a Stray Dog
Been a Shelter Dog
Been Adopted
Been Rehomed

And has been Fostered by two wonderful individuals who want nothing more that to see her on her way to the Forever Home she deserves!

~~~~~~~~~~

Can you find it in your heart to make the FOREVER promise through thick and thin, sickness and health?

Can you find it in your heart to go the extra mile when the worst day comes and promise to be with her and hold her beside you when there is no other choice but to set her free?