Peppa was adopted June 8, 2022
Foster to Adopt for Peppa!
We don’t know exactly where Peppa came from, but sadly she found herself at the local shelter after suffering a severe neck injury. Transferred to BTRC’s care, she underwent a complicated surgery to repair a herniated disc high in her cervical spine to decompress her spinal cord. Post-op, Niagara Canine Conditioning Centre provided exceptional care to facilitate her healing and rehabilitation. Peppa has made a full recovery and is full of typical Boston spunk.
Peppa also needed to be spayed and have her cherry eyed repaired. Along with routine vetting such as updated vaccinations, parasite testing and prevention, Peppa’s care has topped the $10,000 mark!
Peppa is truly grateful for the investment in her future. We know she is! But not one seemingly to do things half-way, Peppa has also presented us with a few behavioural issues that need further work.
As we know nothing about Peppa’s life before rescue, we can only guestimate her age at around 5. She can’t tell us the reason for the scar on her forehead or how she was injured. Given her uncertain background, she can be reactive to strangers but once she knows someone (and she can be bought with treats, of course), she will greet them exuberantly. She is NOT good with cats and can be funny with other dogs – sometimes she will react, sometimes not. Perhaps because of what has happened before, finding herself alone and abandoned, Peppa does not like to be kept away from her people and will voice her displeasure at length, so cannot be in a home with shared walls.
Peppa walks well on a leash and would love to join you for daily strolls. (Because of her injury, she must always be walked on a harness rather than a collar.) She enjoys car rides too. Cuddles and snuggling under a blanket on the couch are more favourite past times. Bostons are known to be clowns, and Peppa is becoming more playful and funnier all the time!
We feel that the best match for Peppa would be with a dog-savvy person or couple, in a detached house where someone is home much of the time and there are no young children. While Peppa is in foster care with two other dogs, and may do well with a calm and tolerant canine companion, she is selective with the dogs she likes and she would much prefer to be your one and only. BTRC will provide detailed support from Peppa’s professional positive-reinforcement trainer and her adopter’s commitment to continue her training will help Peppa settle and thrive in her new home.
As BTRC will continue to support Peppa through this transition, we are looking for a “foster-to-adopt” home at present, which means Peppa will technically remain a foster until her adoption is finalized in the near future.
Just like her namesake, the cartoon character Peppa Pig, Peppa is a lovable but slightly bossy little pig who loves making loud snorting noises. Her adventures are fun, sometimes involve a few challenges, but always end happily. Are you the one to give our Peppa her happily-ever-after? If so, we can’t wait to hear from you! Please fill out an application HERE.
PEPPA • SPAYED FEMALE • 5 YEARS • 20 LBS • OLDER KIDS • PET-FREE HOME PREFERRED • COLLINGWOOD, ON
Note: From the time applications are opened, through the selection and screening process, adoptions can take approximately three weeks to finalize. We thank everyone who takes the time to apply, but only those who best fit each dog’s requirements in a forever home will be contacted.
BTRC foster Peppa is trying to help pay her way at rehab by working reception!
A huge shout out and many thanks to Niagara Canine Conditioning Centre! They are Niagara’s first and only full-service physiotherapy and rehab facility for animals, and their care and expertise has made a world of difference in Peppa’s recovery.
Some good news! Peppa has been released from hospital and is now recovering at a wonderful foster home. As you can see, she is walking on her own and everyone is so pleased with her progress. Poor Peppa is also dealing with an eye ulcer, and can be a bit grumbly when it’s time for eye drops. But she’s been through so much that we can hardly blame her.
You might notice that there is something around Peppa’s neck in her ‘belly rub’ photo. It’s a prescription veterinary device called the Assisi Loop. Not to get too scientific, but this is a new tool for us, so a little bit about how it works: The Assisi Loop produces an electromagnetic field which stimulates the tissue cells to produce nitric oxide, a molecule in the dog’s body that improves blood flow and circulation, reduces swelling and inflammation, and reduces pain. In fact, the discovery of nitric oxide’s role in promoting healing was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1998.
Whatever you need Peppa, we’ve got you!
Introducing Peppa
Found as a stray, Peppa was picked up by the SPCA after suffering an unknown trauma. It was suspected that Peppa had sustained damage to her cervical spine, which was causing her excruciating pain and her condition was deteriorating. Although she had been walking (abnormally) for the first few days, it was difficult to manage her pain and she was reaching the point where she no longer wanted to move. A search for her owners was unsuccessful, and, as she was unclaimed, the shelter reached out to BTRC for help. The extensive testing and cost of surgery were beyond the shelter’s capability.
Peppa was quickly admitted to the emergency hospital. Unable to walk even with assistance, the neurologist took x-rays as part of her examination, but they weren’t sensitive enough to pinpoint exactly what was wrong. An MRI was necessary.
Peppa had a herniated disk and needed immediate surgery to have any chance of regaining movement. The surgery was made more difficult by the fact that the damage was at the top of her spine, and the repair had to be accessed through the front of her neck, close to her respiratory centre.
A three-hour operation successfully removed the material that was compressing Peppa’s spine and, although there is always a risk that the patient will not regain full mobility, so far all signs are very positive!
Peppa will have a long road ahead of her. She’ll be in the hospital for a couple more days, and then back to her foster home for recovery and rehab. The scars visible on her head are old and appear to be the result of some type of burn. She has cherry eye. She is not spayed and will need all routine vetting at some point in the future.
Peppa’s vet bills in her first three days in rescue have reached $7700. Because of your ongoing support, BTRC was able to provide Peppa with the lifesaving care she needs. 