Doggie Details

Current status:

Available

I am a:

Lurcher

I am:

Female

I would like:

To live with another dog

I would not like:

A busy environment

My favourite thing is:

Playing with my doggie friends

My personality:

Very nervous

Child Friendly:

Adult only home (no children)

Dog Friendly:

Must live with another dog

Cat Friendly:

Not cat trainable

Location:

Devon

Important: Please read our latest COVID guidelines before you apply to adopt this lovely hound.

Two year old lurcher Ellie is a special girl in need of a very special new family. Ellie was abandoned at another rescue before coming into our care, and we don’t know what she has been through so far – but she has clearly had a very difficult life, and it is so important that we find the perfect environment for her before sending her home.

When Ellie first arrived with us, she was absolutely terrified and would hide at the back of her kennel whenever people were around. We weren’t able to take her out for a walk or even clip a lead on her collar, as she was just too frightened. By taking things very slowly, moving at Ellie’s pace and never pushing her to do anything she isn’t comfortable with, we’ve been able to gain Ellie’s trust. She’s now built relationships with her main carers here at the Centre, enjoys going for walks around site and playing with her doggie friends in our secure paddock. She’s even starting to enjoy a gentle bit of fuss and affection from her most trusted people!

Although she has come along leaps and bounds so far, Ellie will always be a nervous dog and is looking for a very specific home. She needs:

• A home with private land or a very large, secure garden for exercise. Ellie panics when she hears a vehicle or encounters an unfamiliar person and will try to bolt, so cannot cope with walks in public. She must be kept on-lead unless in a fully secure, private area.
• At least one other dog in the home. Ellie thrives in canine company and loves playing with dogs, but also takes confidence from them and needs another dog for emotional support. Being around more confident dogs allows Ellie to take a backseat when she feels unsure and wants to fade into the background.
• An adult only home with few visitors (or a secure area where Ellie can be kept separate from visitors), ideally with only one or two people living at home. Ellie has never shown any aggression but she needs very gradual introductions in order to feel safe around new people.
• Adopters who are willing to visit our Devon Centre multiple times over a number of weeks, in order to gain Ellie’s trust gradually before taking her home.
• Adopters who are happy to take on a dog who needs her world to stay small and predictable. Ellie needs a quiet life and will not cope with days out, trips to the pub or dog friendly holidays.
• Adopters who are able to move at Ellie’s pace, accept her as she is and be content to enjoy her company whilst remaining hands-off until she is ready to interact. She is a really loving and affectionate girl once she feels safe with you, but she will not reach this stage unless given space to do so totally at her own speed.

We appreciate that this is a lot to ask, but can promise you that having Ellie in your life will absolutely be worth the challenge! Her true character and cheeky personality starts to shine through more and more every day, and watching her start to trust people and enjoy life again is truly rewarding. If you have the patience and time to help Ellie feel safe, please get in touch.