Wheezy

Meet Wheezy – The Sweetest Girl Seeking Her Forever Home!

Wheezy is an affectionate and loyal dog who has a heart full of love to give! She’s a snuggly, playful, and incredibly sweet companion who will quickly become your best friend. Whether you’re looking for a snuggle buddy on the couch or a walking partner, Wheezy’s devotion to her people makes her truly special.

Wheezy is approximately 3 years old. She was adopted from Wolf Trap Animal Rescue in November 2022 and there was very little information available on her at the time. We have had her for over 2 years now, but upon adopting her we realized she had a rough first year before joining our family. We have worked with her a lot over that time, and she has overcome quite a bit to become a very sweet and affectionate dog.

Wheezy got her name because when she is really enjoying a good scratch or love from her people, she lets out little “wheezes” and “oinks” as she smiles with contentment. Her favorite activities include being with her people, perfectly happy snuggling on the couch watching tv. She also walks on the leash well and does enjoy a nice walk, but she is reactive with other dogs and people on walks, so it is best to avoid other interactions when out in public. However, she also really enjoys rough housing with her family inside or outside in the yard, which brings her the most joy out of any form play.

For the family lucky enough to adopt Wheezy, there are a few things to look forward to:

• She absolutely loves her people. You will be the center of her world, and she will want nothing more than to be by your side.
• She is super smart! On top of being fully house trained and never showing destructive behavior inside, she knows basic commands and picks up new tricks quickly. She knows “place” which is great for when guests visit the home, or you just need her to go to her spot for a few minutes.
• She has three past times; cuddling, play fighting/rough housing, and eating! She truly is the perfect dog for a quiet home without other animals. She looks to her people for companionship and returns the favor tenfold. When rough housing, she really gets into it, and although she likes to mouth a little, is very gentle and will stop and go right back to cuddling as soon as you tell her to.

What you need to know and things to consider before inquiring about adoption:

• Wheezy needs to be the only pet in the home, as she is not comfortable around other animals and can show aggression toward them. She would do best in a household where she can be the center of attention and not have to compete with other pets or young children.
• Given her aggression issues with other animals, she is currently on Venlafaxine, which has helped in a lot of areas quite a bit. It is recommended that the adoptive family continues this treatment. It is a pill given about 12 hours apart which can be aligned with mealtimes, making it super easy to remember and administer. If it is decided to stop treatment, the medication should not be stopped abruptly. We can transfer our treatment agreement from the Animal Behavior Wellness Center in Fairfax to the new family. This will prevent the need to start over with any treatment plans, initiation visits or prescriptions needed.
• We believe she has food allergies as she continued to have ear infections. We have switched her to Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Dry Food, and it has solved the issue. However, we have not reintroduced other proteins to rule out what the allergen may be, so it is recommended she stay on the HP food indefinitely or until the time is taken to reintroduce other food options one by one with success. We also have HP Wet Food, which we use to give medication and as a treat from time to time, and she absolutely loves it.
• She does not like the vet. We have sedation medication we give her prior to visits to help make things run as smoothly as possible, but for her sake we try to keep the vet visits to the necessities and anything we can do at home, we do.

We absolutely adore our “lil Weez” and it has been a very difficult decision to go the rehoming path, but we are committed to what is best for her in the long run. Being in a home where she is the only animal will truly let her best shine through and let her live a fulfilled life where she can do what she loves, cuddle her family without the distraction of another animal.

If you can provide a peaceful home with no other animals or young children and can help keep her on the right track with her medication/dietary needs, she would be an awesome addition to your home! If you think you can offer Wheezy the loving, pet-free home she deserves, do not hesitate to reach out. We are dedicated to ensuring she finds the right home and are happy to answer any questions openly and honestly, now and well into the future.

Pet's Name: Wheezy
Dog: Primary Breed: Other, not listed
Primary Breed (if not in list): Super Mutt
Birthdate, estimate is okay: 10/1/2021
Age Category: Adult
Where did you get your pet?: Wolf Trap Animal Rescue
Adoption Day, when did you adopt your pet? An estimate is okay.: November 2022
Gender: Female
Size (at full grown): Medium
Weight (in pounds) at full-grown size.: 45
Primary Color: Calico/Multi/Tricolor
What are your pet's favorite toys and activities?: Rough play (inside), cuddling with her people
Has your dog received any formal obedience training?: Yes
What commands does your dog know?: Sit, Shake, Place, Free/Come, Wait
Has your dog ever exhibited any challenging behaviors, such as biting a person or another pet? If so, could you please share some details about the situation?: She is dog/animal aggressive/reactive and has bitten our other dog, but has never bit people. This is the only reason we are considering rehoming. We have worked with her for 2+ years and have made great strides, but she still struggles having another animal in the home.
How does your dog react to being left alone for short periods?: Really well, usually just naps quietly.
Are there any specific triggers that cause your dog anxiety or stress?: The vet, loud noises, thunder, other animals
Is there a particular routine that works best for your dog in terms of feeding, walking, and sleep?: 1 cup of food morning and evening.
Medical History and Care:
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed or Neutered
House/Litter-Trained
Microchipped
Special Diet
Special Needs
Never Vetted
Unknown
Does your pet have any history of health issues or medical conditions that potential adopters should be aware of?: Yes, she has food allergies and animal reactivity. We currently have her on Venlafaxine to help with stress/reactivity and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet HP dog food for allergies. We have not reintroduced potential allergens to determine which protein she is allergic to, but it has resolved the issue. Reactivity remains, but in a home without other animals, she is happy and content with being the center of attention.
How often does your dog require grooming (e.g., bathing, brushing, trimming)? : Bathing as needed, minimal
Does your dog have any dental care routines (e.g., brushing, chews, professional cleanings)? : no
Personality:
Playful
Constant Companion
High Energy
Medium Energy
Low Energy
Stubborn
Timid
Needs Training
Friendly to Strangers
Good with Other Dogs
Good with Young Children
Good with Cats
Bonded Pair
Requires A Fenced Yard
Crate Trained
Purebred
How is your dog with other dogs?: Aggressive: Does not get along with other dogs and may show aggressive behavior.
How is your dog with cats?: Aggressive: Does not get along with cats and may show aggressive behavior.
What's the most endearing thing about your dog?: She absolutely loves her people and wants to be with them. Loves to snuggle on the couch and is very laid back when in an animal free home. She sits like a gargoyle from time to time and is an overall quirky and loving dog.
What criteria are important to you when considering an adoptive family or home for your pet?: No other pets (Cats/Dogs) or small children in a quieter home and provide her with the love and attention she deserves. Due to reactivity to other dogs, an apartment may not be the best fit for her.
Is there anything else you'd like your pet's new family to know?: She is timid at first, but once she gets used to someone she wants nothing more to be in their lap or by their side.
Why are you rehoming your pet (primary reason)?: Incompatible with Other Pets
Rehoming reason details (if necessary): Adopted her at a year old with very little info on her. We have worked with her for 2+ years via training/place work and behavioral medication. This has completely removed her resource guarding as far as people go, but her aggression to other animals in the home persists. We have been able to manage with supervision and separation, but in fairness to her and our other dog, she would be a lot happier in a home as the only dog that can be with her people when they are there.
If applicable, do you have the legal right or necessary permission from the breeder or rescue organization to rehome this pet? :
Not Applicable
Yes
How long will you be able to keep your pet before you may need to consider surrendering him or her to a rescue?: Not an option, my pet will stay with me for as long as it takes
Who is your veterinarian?: Sully Animal Hospital and Animal Behavior Wellness Center of Fairfax
What do you feed your pet, and does he/she have any feeding quirks or preferences?: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet HP Dry Dog Food
Do you have pet insurance for your pet? : Yes
Would you consider a long distance adoption?:
Yes
No
Maybe
City, State: Centreville, VA
Zip Code: 20120
How did you hear about us?: Rescue/Shelter
Service Level: Assistance Needed: Help Me Choose