Paws2Freedom added 15 photos and 4 videos.

7 days ago

PLEASE SHARE FOR BLEAU 🙏🐾

🐾 ❤️ BLEU NEEDS A FOSTER OR FOSTER-TO-ADOPT HOME ❤️🐾

ME AND WHY I AM LOSING MY HOME:
Hello, everyone. My name is Bleu! I’m a beautiful four-year-old English Bulldog girl with a big personality and a very cuddly side.

Sadly, following a relationship breakdown and a change in my family’s circumstances, I will lose my home very soon.

There is also a particular part of my behaviour that my family is no longer able to manage. I am very friendly with people when I’m away from my own home, but I find it extremely difficult when unfamiliar people enter the space I consider to be mine. I may jump, bark and growl when strangers come into the house. This has reached the point where my family can no longer comfortably welcome visitors into our home. Interestingly, I am reported to be absolutely fine when outside my home or when visiting other people’s houses. My difficulty appears to be specifically connected to unfamiliar people entering my own home.

I have never received any formal training or been given truly consistent structure and boundaries. This means I haven’t yet learned how to cope appropriately with every situation or what is expected of me when I feel worried, overwhelmed or protective.

I now need an experienced foster or foster-to-adopt home where I can receive the guidance, structure and understanding I have been missing.

MY PERSONALITY ... THE GOOD STUFF:
With the people I know and trust I am a calm, laid-back and very affectionate girl.

I love being close to my family and am happiest snuggled up with someone. I particularly enjoy sleeping on my person’s knee, having tickles behind my ears and receiving a good tummy rub.

I love toys, bones and treats, so there should be lots of opportunities to make my future training positive and rewarding.

I am good in the car and happy to travel.

I have also stayed with other people on several occasions while my family has been away on holiday.

I am used to being left alone for longer periods in my current home. As with any dog moving somewhere new, alone time would need to be introduced gradually again once I have settled. Being comfortable in my familiar home does not necessarily mean I will immediately feel secure when left in a new one.

MY PERSONALITY ... THE CHALLENGES:
My main difficulty is with unfamiliar people entering my home. I can become protective of my space and may jump, bark and growl.

I can also become possessive over things I value, such as toys, bones or other items.

I do communicate when I am uncomfortable and will usually growl first. My growl is an important warning and should never be punished or ignored. When my earlier warnings have not been recognised or respected, I have sometimes escalated a little further.

I need people who understand canine body language and will listen when I say I am uncomfortable. I must not be challenged or physically forced to surrender something I value. Instead, I will need careful management and positive training that teaches me to exchange things calmly and safely.

I have worn a muzzle before., mainly at the vets, but I can become agitated when it is put over my snout, although I will keep it on once it has been fitted. I cannot yet be described as comfortably muzzle trained, so any future muzzle training will need to be introduced slowly and positively.

PEOPLE ... ADULTS AND CHILDREN:
I am very friendly with people when I am outside my home.
My owner keeps me on lead and, purely to be on the safe side, advises unfamiliar people not to stroke me. However, I am generally friendly and behave very differently from the way I do when strangers enter my own home.

I love the children I currently live with and can be very affectionate with them. However, I can become overwhelmed by children I do not know, particularly if they are very lively, noisy or unpredictable.
There have also been incidents when the children in my home have tried to take things away from me. I have growled and snapped, causing some bruising and marks, but I have never truly bitten the children!

A couple of years ago, I did bite my owner’s former husband when he tried to get something out of my mouth. This was a one-off incident and the injury healed without medical treatment. However, it is an important part of my history and must be openly acknowledged.

Although I love the children in my current family, my new home must be completely adult-only, without resident or visiting children. This is the safest and fairest choice for everyone, including me.

DOGS:
I have always been fine with dogs I know and am reported to behave well around other dogs while outside and walking on lead.

I have not been fully assessed with unfamiliar dogs inside a home or in an off-lead environment.

A home with another dog may be considered very carefully, but my new people would need to have enough space and suitable facilities to keep us completely separate while slow and safe introductions take place.

A pet-free foster home may make my initial settling and assessment period easier.

CATS, LIVESTOCK AND OTHER ANIMALS:
I have not been tested with cats.

I have also not been tested with small animals or livestock.
Because my behaviour around them is unknown, any home with other animals would need to be considered extremely carefully and must have safe, reliable separation available.

MY TRAINING AND EVERYDAY LIFE:
I have not received formal training or truly consistent boundaries and I will need calm, confident people who can introduce a predictable routine and teach me what is expected through positive, reward-based methods.

I am motivated by toys and treats, which should help with this.

I am not crate trained. My new family should not expect me to use a crate immediately or force me into one. Any future introduction to a crate or safe enclosed space would need to be gradual, positive and completely pressure-free.

I am good in the car and happy to travel.

I may not be particularly tall, but I am a solid and powerful girl, so my new people must feel comfortable and confident handling me.

MY HEALTH AND WEIGHT
I am up to date with my vaccinations, worming and flea prevention.

I am currently carrying a little too much weight and need to lose some. My new family will need to help me reach a healthier weight gradually through appropriate food, sensible portion control and suitable exercise. As an English Bulldog, exercise will need to take my breed, breathing, joints, fitness and ability to cope with warm weather into account. Knowledge and experience of English Bulldogs would be very helpful.

I am not spayed and Paws2Freedom would arrange this to be done.

MY IDEAL HOME:
I need...
🐾 An experienced, completely adult-only home
🐾 No resident or visiting children
🐾 Calm, confident and realistic people
🐾 A quiet household without frequent visitors
🐾 People who understand canine body language and warning signals
🐾 Safe management of doors, visitors and introductions
🐾 Experience with guarding or possessive behaviour
🐾 Clear, kind and consistent boundaries
🐾 Positive, reward-based training
🐾 A secure garden
🐾 Ideally, previous experience of English Bulldogs
🐾 The ability to separate me from other animals if necessary
🐾 Support to reach a healthier weight
🐾 A willingness to work closely and honestly with Paws2Freedom
🐾 A home in Cornwall, Devon or near the Somerset–Devon border

I would not be suitable for a first-time dog owner or a busy household where unfamiliar people regularly come and go.

My new people must understand that love and cuddles alone will not resolve my difficulties. I need sensible management, structure, patience and training alongside all the affection I enjoy.

FOSTER OR FOSTER-TO-ADOPT:
Paws2Freedom is looking for either an experienced foster home or a foster-to-adopt home for me.

Foster-to-adopt would give my new people and me time to get to know one another properly before any permanent decision is made. I would have time to de-stress (decompress), settle into a new routine and receive the assessment, training and structure I need. Should we prove to be the right match once everyone understands my needs properly, adoption may then be considered.

There is no pressure to make an immediate lifelong commitment before I have settled and been assessed.

I am currently still living with my family in another part of the UK. Unfortunately, Paws2Freedom will not be able to meet or assess me before I come into their care. This means there may be things about my behaviour, health or needs that are not yet known. My foster or foster-to-adopt family must be prepared for that uncertainty and willing to work closely with Paws2Freedom while everyone gets to know me.

Behind the behaviour that needs careful management is a calm, loving and cuddly girl who has never been given all the training, structure and guidance she needed. I need experienced people who are willing to offer me a safe place, take away the pressure and help me begin a happier and healthier new chapter. Could you be the person who gives me that chance?

Bleu does not yet have her own page on the Paws2Freedom website. In the meantime, anyone interested in offering her a foster or foster-to-adopt home can read more about fostering and complete our application form here:
paws2freedom.org/foster/

Our settling-in guide is incredibly important for anyone welcoming a new dog. Please read it carefully before applying, as Bleu will need plenty of time, space and understanding while she de-stresses and adjusts to her new environment:
paws2freedom.org/new-rescue-dog-faqs/
Please mention Bleu on your application so that we know which dog you are applying for.

Thank you from Bleu and Paws2Freedom ❤️🐾 ... See MoreSee Less

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Paws2Freedom added 48 photos and 3 videos.

1 week ago

🐾❤️ HELGA FOR ADOPTION IN CORNWALL OR DEVON ❤️🐾

Hello, everyone. I’m Helga!
I’m a big, beautiful, slightly goofy girl with long legs, an enormous heart and a tail that seems to have a mind of its own.

I’m around five years old, approximately 60cm tall (at the shoulders) and currently weigh 29 kilos. I’m still filling out after everything I’ve been through and the humans think my healthy weight will be somewhere around 32 kilos.

Nobody knows exactly what breeds went into making me, but I may be a Bosnian Sheepdog with a little Barak Hound, Afghan Hound and Russian Terrier mixed in. Whatever the recipe was, I think we can all agree that the result is rather fabulous!

🐾MY STORY
My life began in Bosnia, where I was abandoned and left to survive on the streets. Thankfully, I was rescued and taken to the Bark Ark shelter.

As the shelter became busier and more dogs arrived, my condition wasn’t noticed as quickly as anyone would have wanted. I’m a gentle girl and found it difficult to compete for food, so hidden beneath my very thick coat, I became thinner and thinner.

When Bojan, the shelter owner, realised how much weight I had lost, he immediately contacted Paws2Freedom and moved me into foster care so I could receive more individual attention.

My skin had become sore and infected, so my coat needed to be shaved away for treatment. Once all that fur had gone, everyone was shocked by just how thin I really was!

With good food, veterinary treatment and lots of kindness, I slowly began to recover. Once I was strong enough, I travelled to the UK and started my new chapter in foster care.
And what a chapter it has been!

🐾LIFE IN MY FOSTER HOME
I’ve settled beautifully into home life and everyone describes me as a wonderfully easy dog who is an absolute pleasure to live with.

I adore people and love being included in whatever is happening. I often follow my foster mum around the house because I like to keep an eye on things and make sure I’m not missing anything important. Cooking? I’ll supervise. Gardening? I’ll come too. Sitting down for five minutes? Excellent, I’ll be nearby!

I love meeting visitors and neighbours and quickly make friends wherever I go. I’m affectionate, loyal and very people-focused, but I’m also full of fun.

Sometimes I’m graceful and majestic…and sometimes I’m goofy, clumsy and completely unaware of how big I am. Apparently, this is very entertaining!

I’m a lovely medium-energy girl. I enjoy my walks, adventures and playtime, but I’m equally happy stretching out on the sofa and embracing my inner couch potato.

I walk nicely on my harness and lead, but may get a bit more enthusiastic for a few minutes when we start a new adventure.

I love exploring the world through my nose.

I’ve enjoyed walks by the seaside, although I haven’t ventured into the water yet.

Traffic doesn’t bother me, and loud or unexpected noises haven’t fazed me so far, although I haven’t experienced fireworks or a thunder storm in foster care and they don’t know yet how I would react to either.

I’ve also discovered toys and absolutely love playing with my favourite ball. Who knew these wonderful things existed?

🐾WHAT AM I LIKE WITH OTHER DOGS?
I really enjoy the company of other dogs and love making new doggy friends. I happily live with two other dogs in my foster home and enjoy playing with them.

I would love to share my new home with a friendly canine companion, especially one who enjoys a bit of playtime.
However, I recently spent a few days in another foster home as the only dog and adapted brilliantly. I loved having all the attention and was perfectly happy. I could therefore live with another suitable dog or be the only dog, provided I had plenty of human companionship and opportunities to socialise with friendly canine pals.

I have been left for short periods with the two dogs in my main foster home. We have our own dedicated room and wait calmly until our humans return. I haven’t yet been tested completely alone without another dog, so this would need to be introduced very gradually in my new home.

WHAT ABOUT CATS?
I live successfully with a cat in my foster home and am very respectful. In fact, when the cat is sitting on one of the dog beds, I politely wait for my turn. I could probably squeeze on, but good manners are important!

I also met a different resident cat during my short stay in another foster home and took that completely in my stride too.

WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?
I’m friendly and affectionate, but I’m also a tall, lanky girl who can be rather enthusiastic and occasionally forgets how much space I take up! For that reason, a home with older, dog-aware children would suit me best. Very small children may find themselves accidentally rearranged by a happy Helga bottom or an enthusiastic wagging tail!

MY TRAINING
I had very little formal training before arriving in the UK, so I’m still learning how everything works.

My recall remains a work in progress and interesting smells can sometimes become much more important than listening to the humans! I must therefore remain on lead outside secure areas. Any future off-lead exercise should initially take place in a properly enclosed dog field until my recall is reliable.

The good news is that I’m clever, eager to please and respond beautifully to kind, consistent guidance. My foster family have found me very easy to work with, and I’ve already learned so much.

I enjoy being brushed and love all the attention that comes with it. Once my full coat has grown back, it will be long and fairly high-maintenance, so regular grooming will be important. My future family may decide to keep it trimmed shorter for comfort and easier care, and honestly, don’t I look adorable with my current hairstyle?

MY HEALTH
Before travelling to the UK, I tested negative for:
• Heartworm
• Leishmania
• Anaplasmosis
• Lyme disease
• Brucella canis
Plus a general vet check to make sure I was fine to travel.

I have also had a full veterinary examination since arriving in the UK. The vet confirmed that I arrived in an emaciated body condition and needed to gain a significant amount of weight. I’m making fantastic progress and weighed 29 kilos on 17 July. I still have a little more to gain and my estimated healthy weight is approximately 32 kilos.

A lump on my back was investigated and thankfully confirmed to be a harmless cyst.

As with all Paws2Freedom dogs arriving from overseas, I will also have a follow-up Brucella canis test two to three months after my arrival. My foster mum has arranged this for the 27th July and the results are expected 10-14 days later, in August. Paws2Freedom fully expect another negative result, as I was tested before travel through the trusted VetPro laboratory using both SAT and iELISA testing, which is the same process used in the UK.

My coat is growing back beautifully following treatment for a skin infection. My dandruff has almost completely disappeared, my fur has developed a lovely shine and I’m looking healthier every week.

I have also been treated for an allergy and am currently doing very well on AVA Adult Sensitive fish-based wet and dry food. At the moment, I’m eating four meals each day to help me continue gaining weight. This can be reduced once I have reached a healthy weight.

There was also a little problem with the tip of my tail. I was so happy that it rarely stopped wagging, and because the protective fur hadn’t fully grown back, the tip occasionally split and bled. Thankfully, this has now stopped, although you may still notice a small bare area while the fur continues to grow. Apparently, excessive happiness can have side effects!

MY IDEAL HOME
I’m looking for a rural or semi-rural home in Cornwall or Devon, with a secure garden large enough for a big, leggy girl to enjoy pottering, sunbathing, exploring and the occasional burst of zoomies.

I could live with a friendly dog or be an only dog, provided I still had canine friends and opportunities to socialise.

More than anything, I would love people who are home for much of the time. Being close to my humans is one of my favourite things and I thrive when I’m included in everyday family life.

My ideal family will have experience with rescue dogs and understand that, although I’m wonderfully adaptable, I’m still learning. I’ll need patience, gentle guidance and continued training as I settle into my forever home. In return, I promise affection, loyalty, laughter and the kind of close companionship that comes from a dog who finally understands what it means to feel safe and loved.

I’ve already survived so much. Now I’m ready for the very best part of my story, a family of my own. Could that be you?

You can read more about me, see photos and vidoes and find the adoption application form on my page:
❤️ paws2freedom.org/helga/

Paws2Freedom have also created a really helpful guide to settling an overseas rescue dog into a new home:
🐾 paws2freedom.org/new-rescue-dog-faqs/

Application and full vetting processes apply.

Love and enormous tail wags,
Helga ❤️🐾 ... See MoreSee Less