ADOPTION FEE SPONSORED!
Fiji may be eight years old, but this adorable low rider pittie mix is young at heart! After living with the same family for seven years, Fiji was surrendered to the shelter on June 2nd when her owners were moving. They described Fiji as a good girl who loves belly rubs, and said she happily shared her home with kids of all ages, from infants to teens! Fiji is crate trained too, and noted to do well with strangers and other dogs - be sure to check out her dog meet videos below.
As a senior pup, Fiji does have a few minor medical issues that can come with age - she has a mild ear infection, and may need some further dental care for a canine tooth. But Fiji doesn't let that get her down! Fiji is available for adoption, foster care, and rescue placement. Fiji's full shelter notes are below. Please consider giving this lovable senior a second chance!
Videos:
Eloise and Fiji: https://youtube.com/shorts/VSQFhMBjSCA?feature=share
Fiji on a walk!
https://youtube.com/shorts/f513Kv5dz7M?feature=share
Fiji delightfully strolling
https://youtube.com/shorts/nGAQpchlR_s
Fiji sits for treats
https://youtube.com/shorts/SVMmqYDlirM
Behavior:
Per volunteer 8/11: Little miss Fiji is the sweetest, most trusting and affectionate senior girl. After less than a week in foster care she was settled into a routine and enjoying the good life. Most of her days are spent snoozing on the couch, occasionally rolling over for belly rubs, and enjoying as many treats as you'll give her. If you're looking for a couch potato that just wants your love, Fiji is your girl. She's not that into toys and would prefer to spend her days getting pets and endless treats, making her the perfect gentle girl for any family. She does well with all children and is eager to greet new people on her walks and in crowds. While she's still learning to trust being in a crate, Fiji had no problem staying alone in our second bedroom by herself. She is not destructive at all. She's still learning to go potty outside, but with consistency and patience she has started to improve and learn even within a week. She's easy on the leash and dog friendly. She will mostly ignore reactive dogs or is easy to redirect. She even learned sit during her week in foster care! She is very well mannered in the car and loves to enjoy a peanut butter Kong to keep her busy during her ride. Anyone would be lucky to have this girl in their life to live out the rest of her golden days.
Per staff on: Fiji is so so so sweet! I took her out yesterday for a walk and this girl is so good on leash. She basically walks next to you the whole time with minimal pulling when she wants to sniff something. After our walk when she was back in the run she likes to just walk around and sniff everything. She does know her name very well so her recall is very good. She takes Per Volunteer: treats so nice. Getting Fiji in and out of her kennel is no problem she comes out so easily and will walk herself back in her kennel. She loves to cuddle up with you and get pet and might even give you some kisses!
On 7/22, Fiji had a successful day trip with a shelter volunteer.
Per Fiji's foster 7/20, before returning her to the shelter on 7/21: I am running into issues finding someone that will watch her because she is not housebroken. I have been consistently working working with her on the house training with no real improvement. I feel unfortunately I will have to end my fostering of her. It is quite difficult with her not being housebroken and also caring for my two dogs. She is such a sweet dog! I hope she can find placement with someone!
Per Fiji's foster 7/18: Just a few more updates on Fiji and her personality/temperament. Fiji is a nice quiet girl in the house. She rarely barks. I've had her over a month and only heard her bark a handful of times. She is great when meeting new people that come to the house, she does not bark or get overly excited. She greets the person with my other dogs, and then goes quietly to lay down.
Per Fiji's foster 7/4: I just wanted to update you on Fiji. It is coming up on three weeks since i picked her up from acct. Fiji is a sweet soul, there is no doubt about that! I've enjoyed getting to know her. She loves affection and is always wagging her tail. She behaves very nicely in the house. She has met my two dogs and they get along great! She is actually very submissive. My one dog established that he was the alpha right away, and Fiji was totally fine with that.
Unfortunately Fiji is not housebroken. I have been working with her on this consistently from the start. Despite numerous trips outside throughout the day so she can relieve herself, she does have accidents quite frequently. I'm not sure if maybe never having been trained to go outside or maybe the multiple litters she has had have led to incontinence, but this has been a challenge with her and may or may not affect future placement.
I'd like to try another couple of weeks with her to see if she improves in the house training.
Per Volunteer 6/9/24: When I first took Fiji out from the kennel, she hasn't been out for three days and seemed a little shut down. When being outside, she pulls the leash if she wants to head a certain direction. She is very sweet and allows all the petting. After being back in the kennel, she is much more opened up and takes lots of treats!
Staff noted on 6/4/24: Fiji is the sweetest senior girl! I went into the kennels intending to walk a different dog, but Fiji caught my eye standing with her paws up on the kennel door. She was wiggling all over and wagging her tail, and just begging for some attention. I just couldn't say no to taking her out and meeting her! Fiji was easy to leash, and walked nicely with me through the kennels. She does pull a little, and she's a low rider with a low center of gravity so she can be pretty strong at times. However, it was nothing unmanageable - just might do best harnessed or with Martingale collar. We went into a play yard, and Fiji explored the yard with loose body language and a wagging tail. She would come to me when called, with soft eyes and loose body. She allowed handling all over, but would sometimes flinch slightly if I touched her unexpectedly, and would flinch and cower if I lifted my hand near her, so a slower approach is best. That said Fiji never appeared tense, just shy/startled and slightly nervous. I tried tossing a toy for Fiji, but she was not interested. She is a pretty mellow girl who seems content just to explore outside! Another dog passed right by the gate to our yard, and Fiji saw them passing by but showed no reaction towards them. She has previously had good dog meets in the shelter, and her owner indicated she is dog-social as well. Fiji had no issues going back to her kennel, and greeted a nearby kennel attendant very politely. She is such a sweet, mellow girl and would likely thrive in a low-key, affectionate family.
Staff noted on 6/3/24: Super sweet baby, needs time to warm up. An angel!
Staff noted on 6/3/24: Stopped by Fiji's kennel in time to see her get up from a nap, do a great big stretch, half yawn, then wiggle up to the front of the kennel for some attention. Seems very sweet and sociable.
Staff noted on 6/3/24: Easy to leash. Fiji walked slowly up to the handler with soft eyes and middle level wags, patient for leashing. Pulls strongly on leash. Loose/allows all handling; Fiji came into the eval room begging for pets and affection. She went straight for every handler to greet them with high tail wags and soft eyes. Fiji had no interest in toys and would rather be cuddled by the handlers. She is very low energy, quiet, and mild mannered. Fiji is a little nervous and flinches when you try to pet her overhead and prefers body pets. She has been very tolerant with touch, trying to open up and be more trusting. Fiji takes treats very nicely and is the sweetest angel baby. Play - no interest, followed the handler around for pets. Toys - no interest.
Staff noted on 6/2/24: Walked by Fiji in kennel, she was looking at me with soft eyes and was very sweet, wiggling her whole body.
