Ellie, a *special needs* tween pit bull, needs a FOREVER HOME!
Channel: United Hope for Animals
Date: 2019-06-19

Ellie (aka Elphaba) is a darling 7-month-old grey-and-white spayed female pit bull mix puppy who was rescued from Tijuana where she was found starving in a vacant lot. Ellie had a tough start to life, but she is such a happy pup now! She loves to cuddle and is always thrilled to be with her people. She is great with adults and kids and is attentive, funny, and a quick learner. She has delightfully soft, plush fur and it's really nice to snuggle with her. Ellie loves the company of other dogs of all sizes--she is a true social butterfly. She loves to go on walks and hikes. Ellie knows how to sit and stay on command. She is also crate trained and does great in the car either in a crate or loose.  Ellie has a spinal cord injury that resulted in excess fluid pocketing around her thoracic spine, a condition called syringomyelia (we don't know when or how she was injured since it was before we knew her, but our vet would guess she was crushed somehow as a very young puppy). Her spinal cord injury makes her less aware of her bodily functions than other dogs are. The condition can be managed with acupuncture, but there is no cure, and she needs a home willing to work with her to manage her diet and routine. Ellie does NOT "leak"--but she can't be housetrained in the quite same way as other dogs because of her injury. Ellie is looking for an extra-special person or family who is open to a different type of caring relationship with a companion animal, one grounded in compassion for and acceptance of Ellie's needs. She could be a fully indoor dog for someone who is okay using doggy diapers (we can recommend specific washable brands that work well for her), or she could be a dog who spends a lot of time outdoors during the day (with appropriate shelter and temperature regulation, of course) and comes in the house during the evening and who sleeps overnight in her crate. The spinal cord issue does not have any other effects on Ellie: she is a powerhouse walker/hiker, active, and happy. Some of her favorite activities include playing tug-of-war with other dogs, snuggling, rolling on her back in grass, and eating. She also loves to run through things that feel funny on her feet, like snow and squishy succulents. Ellie is a gem of a puppy and will be an incredible best friend to the compassionate person or family who loves and cares for her as she is. Ellie currently weighs 35 lbs and we expect will mature to at least 60 lbs.   CONTACT:   katja@hope4animals.org  AND/OR loveleorescue@gmail.com.