My name is Aruba!

Thank you for stopping by to see me!  Please fill out an application to set up  a private meeting. 

Happy sunny day, potential forever home people, my name is Aruba!  At least it’s sunny today, when I’m writing this. I am a shy and timid French Bulldog looking for a forever home with lots of patience and love to help me grow into the best girl that I can.

Let me start by telling you that I really need a fenced yard and despite attempts, I have no interest currently in leashes. I also need another dog (I’m not picky on size of them or breed/sex) as they help teach me how to be a confident dog and I pick up their cues. At this stage of my entrance to life in a home, I’m still very standoffish, especially with women. My forever family needs to understand that I need to go at my own pace and terms.

But I do enjoy having other dogs around, I enjoy playing chase with them and so far they’ve taught me it’s ok to get close enough to lick your hand. I am determined, with a little help from my friends, to learn all about living in a safe and happy home!

So, I don’t want you to be turned off that I am not a cuddle bug (at least not yet) but I do enjoy my toys, balls, and all things chewable, like treats and gnaw bones.

My fosters have attempted to take me in public but I froze in fear. I tend to do that when I don’t feel safe in any space. But that fenced yard is key – that is where my personality comes out when my furry sibs and I play.  I even go potty out there in the yard and when on a good schedule, I do well! So while it’s not perfect, I’m close.

I understand what the crate is for and also have picked up some commands, like “sit, kennel, outside and go potty!”  That shows you I’m smart.  I’ve got a routine and insist we follow it.  At bedtime, I’ll bark at you while we get our jammies on. Foster mom is working on my bedtime routine and we're making good progress, as she continues to show me that I am sage and no longer have to live in that kennel.

I am very food motivated and that will help you build trust with me.  During the day, I’m kenneled with the other bulldog who lives here, as it helps alleviate any anxiety I have.  But when you get home, I’m going to tell you all about things.  The kennel is my safe space and they have one in the bedroom for nighttime and one in the living room for me during the day.

Oh and if you haven’t had a bulldog before, you should know you’ll need to wash my wrinkles almost every day since they get filled with goobers and slobber.  *winkwink* Another thing to know about my diet is that I have some food sensitivities that are typical to bulldogs and am on a raw food diet. I would prefer to continue eating raw if possible.

When I went into the vet, I had some pretty nasty ear infections and that is why my ears curl and flop. Foster mom says it gives me personality - and I agree.  Because I was not spayed at a young age, I have a hormone related mass in my uterus. Since being spayed, it has already decreased and will continue to do so. It causes me no issues, but they said I should note that here.  In time, that should go away, so nothing major to worry about there!  I also had my breathing surgeries on my nose and DANG does it feel good to breathe now. I'm all fixed up and ready to keep learning about this new life with you.

Are you a patient and loving home ready to bring some sunshine into your life? I am ready to find my forever family and hoping that is you!

*Please note that some of our dogs are obtained from shelters, surrendered to our care, or released from breeders. Each animal's bio is based on our experience of the animal within our care, an educated guess based on physical characteristics, temperament and information shared. Each dog receives basic grooming when coming into rescue, but for some dogs they have not received grooming attention until recently and grooming may be required shortly after adoption. This will be at the adopter’s expense, so we encourage you to research the breed and be prepared for grooming expenses. Underdog cannot guarantee hypoallergenic or non-shedding qualities of any dogs in our rescue. Some of the animals come from situations where they are lacking experience in a home and confidence in humans. In turn, they require another companion dog and/or a fenced in yard in their forever home in order for them to feel safe. If you are interested in a particular dog whose bio states those needs and do not currently have them, please understand that your home might not be the right fit. Please use the filter on our Adoptable Dogs page to find the perfect match for your home.  

Bulldogs are a member of the Brachycephalic breed and therefore have a host of health issues that may arise.  Because these dogs are new into our rescue, health issues in the future may arise that we are not aware of.  Some of these issues are allergies, eye issues, yeast infections, interdigital cysts, slipped disks in their back, breathing problems, among a host of others that can occur at any time or when seasons change. While breed experience is not required, we encourage you to thoroughly research the breed and its financial, medical, and environmental needs to be sure the breed is a good fit for you and your family.  It is estimated that the average bulldog owner spends $2,000 per year on medical needs.         In addition to normal pre adoption surgeries, Aruba also had surgery on her nares and soft palate to improve the quality of her breathing. This is reflected within her adoption fee.

Bulldogs are one of the most expensive dogs to own, maintain, and rescue and our adoption fees reflect such expenses.  The application process for bulldogs usually moves quite quickly as they are a popular breed, so we ask that adopters do research and be prepared for adoption at the time you submit your application.  They are happy, goofy, playful characters and we are excited you are taking the first steps into rescuing one!  

This dog requires an application fee.  This fee must be paid within 24 hours or your application will be considered void.    We will not review or contact applicants that have not completed the payment portion. Bulldog Applications will be responded to within 5 business days, after receipt of the application fee.  Please understand that paying the fee does not guarantee you will be approved to adopt the bulldog. Our goal is place bulldogs in homes that are suited for their individual needs. You may be willing and able to provide a great home, but if it doesn’t meet the specific needs of the bulldog, we will not approve your application.

If you have other questions about me you can email Underdog Rescue at <inquiries@underdogrescuemn.com>

ADOPTION EVENTS:     

Adoption events are updated at the top of each dogs animals' as their foster home signs up. Check back for updates on which events they will be attending. If an event is not listed within their bio above, the animal is not planning to attend.  Please understand that all of our pets are in volunteer foster homes and sometimes "life" happens and the foster family cannot make it to their scheduled adoption event. If you are traveling from a far distance to meet a specific animal, please understand we cannot guarantee event attendance. We recommend filling out an application and we will set up a private appointment. Private appointments are only scheduled after an application is submitted and approved.

ADOPTION PROCEDURE:

FOSTER CARE:

All of our animals are fostered in individual homes or doggie daycare facilities. While they are in our care, they are part of our families and given lots of love. We work on training, crate-training and socialization prior to adoption, but each bio is written by the foster as they see them, in their home. Each animal's behavior is evaluated and we have a sense of its temperament and personality, but it cannot be guaranteed. We look for adopters who will give each animal the wonderful life and permanent home that he or she deserves in time and with patience.  If you have an interest and ability to be a foster home, please visit our website  www.underdogrescuemn.com/foster-applications  and fill out a foster application.

NUTRITION:

Nutrition is vital to the rehabilitation and life-long health of our pets.  All of our foster animals are fed a premium diet such as NutriSource, Canidae, Orijen, Nature's Variety, Fromm, Pure Vita, Stella and Chewy's, Primal, or balanced raw diet.  All adopters are required to continue providing premium diets for the life of the animal.

YOU CAN HELP:

Not able to foster or adopt right now? Please consider sponsoring an Underdog. Your donation will help us buy dog food and pay for medical costs. Visit this link  www.underdogrescuemn.com/donate   to donate. 
(Please note: A Paypal account is not necessary to use Paypal. When you get to the Paypal page, just use the link to the left of their login to make your donation via Paypal without an account.)