Wilma (fostered 3/15 /08-5/3/08)

Update 4/21/08: Wilma is relaxing and blooming. She's been brave enough to go tummy-up and wriggle around, inviting a tummy rub. She runs around with her stuffies, and collects them upstairs in her bed in the bedroom so that they all line up against the wall. Wilma loves her walks around the neighborhood and is confident enough now to mark her way--even lifting her leg to pee on select spots along the way. She has been fabulous with visitors, and has stolen several hearts with her quiet, well-mannered sits for attention. And we haven't seen that tail tucked for quite a while--it's always in a normal or steady wag, as she soaks up the attention and love!

We'll retest Wilma sometime in the next week or so to confirm the heartworms are all gone. It was a mild case, so all should be clear.

Update 3/29/08: We cat-tested Wilma today and she passed with flying colors! This was in home with cats moving about. We also checked with Wilma and smaller, calmer dogs (a very gentle, sweet basset hound) just to be sure and she is not good with those dogs either. She is not out of control around other dogs, just doesn't want to be bothered with them at all: with the basset, she seemed slightly more motivated to ensure Gracie wouldn't bother her.

We also had visitors tonight and Wilma was glued to her new friend's side. She just loves humans, men and women alike.

Update 3/25/08: Wilma has been in her foster home for a little over a week now and is beginning to gain some confidence. Wilma continues to come out of her shell and into her own. She is a love bug who craves attention from her humans. She is very good on leash and is housetrained.

She is a bright girl who has had obedience training, although it looks to have been a harsh introduction to it. She cowers and is reluctant to come when called so we'll be finding a different cue for her to avoid negative associations with coming when called. She knows commands for sit, down, touch and crate. She runs eagerly to her crate at dinnertime and loves to play with her stuffies. She throws them up in the air, catches them and flings herself about. She will also fetch for quite a while, fast as can be!

Wilma does not appreciate the other foster dane in the house. She can tolerate his company provided he is not playing or moving about in her face but would prefer to be away from him altogether. What does this mean for her new home? She will walk well on leash, be calm when faced with strange dogs, but not want to live with them or interact. If other dogs visit and they are not too playful, she can easily be controlled with leashes and physical separation (either gated or even just on opposite ends of the room.

We ventured to a Petstore the other day and she greeted all humans and kids well, including men! She wanted nothing to do with the other dogs there and, when shown the cats in their cage, she looked everywhere but at them. She checked out their food bowl, litter box and water bowl, but would not look at the cats at all. She'll be further tested with cats sometime in the coming week.

Wilma would be a great dog for a first time dane or dog owner.

Update 3/16/08: Due to food aggression with other dogs, Wilma was in a kennel. She moved to a new foster home here in PA on 3/15/08, so this is only her second day in foster care. Wilma is crate trained and goes right into the crate for sleep and food. She is very much of a chow hound but is dainty in every other way. She knows sit, down and seems to know touch.

Wilma ia a 'teacup' dane--she's the smallest dane I've ever seen but looks to be pure through and through--I believe she measures about 28 inches at the shoulder. She's very nervous and afraid she'll do something wrong and slinks as if anything will bring down someone's wrath. She's very eager to please and wants love and affection, yet is afraid that it might not be real. She loves her stuffie and excitedly runs around trying to entice you to throw it for her to fetch.

Wilma deliberately avoids her foster brother, Shark, and wants nothing to do with him. She's very nervous around him and will be separated from him until she gets used to him.

Original 11/07: Wilma is a 3 year old black female with natural ears. She is a mantle want-to-be with the white socks and chest. She is petite dane, not very big but a great leaner and give really great kisses! Wilma came to rescue as a result of a seizure by animal control. She came from a back yard breeder and was allowed to run loose after the owner passed away. A family member who inherited the dogs wasn't keeping them penned. Wilma is very sweet, good with male and female dogs, cats are an unknown at this point. She is being fostered in a home with a 3 year old boy and a male american bulldog. Wilma was heart worm positive when she came to rescue and had kennel cough. She has since been spayed, and is being treated for the heart worms. Wilma was somewhat a wild child when she came to rescue after running loose for some time. However, she has become quite the love bug and very appreciative for rubs and pets. She's had a taste of a better life and really likes it. Wilma Came to MAGDRL in November 2007.