Adoptable Dachshund Dixie (25-169)

🐾💗 MEET DIXIE — A SPECIAL GIRL LOOKING FOR HER SPECIAL PERSON! 💗🐾

Dixie is a 6-year-old, 15-lb. female Dachshund with a huge heart, a determined spirit, and plenty of kisses to give. This sweet girl has been through major back surgery for IVDD, and while her back legs remain weak, she has made wonderful progress during the past year in foster care. Her foster continues to see her getting stronger and stronger! Dixie also has epileptic seizures that are managed with medication 2 times a day.

Once Dixie settles in and chooses her person, it’s all love! She is affectionate, loyal, and a true little shadow. She loves giving kisses and is famous for tickling noses with that little tongue. ❤️

🐶 DOGS & OTHER PETS

Dixie can get along with dogs of all sizes when introductions are done very slowly and carefully. She prefers to get comfortable with other dogs on her own terms and has improved tremendously with the dogs in her foster home.

She is especially cautious around larger dogs, so patience and supervision are important. Her foster home primarily has small dogs, although Dixie has also been around occasional Boxer- and Golden Retriever-sized dogs.

🐱 Cats: Unknown.

👧 CHILDREN

Older, respectful children may be a good fit for Dixie. Because her back is still fragile following surgery, a home with small children would not be recommended. She needs family members who understand the importance of handling her carefully and protecting her back.

🦮 LEASH, WALKS & YARD

Dixie is definitely not a fan of the leash, and walking isn’t one of her favorite activities. Her back legs tire easily, and her overall stamina is still limited following surgery.

Because of her IVDD history, Dixie must NEVER be tethered by a neck collar. A properly fitted harness is required.

A securely fenced yard would be ideal for Dixie so she can safely enjoy some outdoor time without relying on traditional walks. She may have mobility limitations, but she still surprises everyone with an occasional Dachshund zoomie!

🚽 POTTY & SPECIAL CARE

Dixie requires a special caregiver who is comfortable helping with her bladder needs. She needs to have her bladder expressed several times each day. She can urinate on her own at times, although it isn’t always voluntary. Sometimes when she tries to stand, she urinates.

Because her back legs are still weak, she may also end up sitting in her urine when she goes potty outside.

Traditional doggie diapers have not worked well with Dixie’s body, but her foster is developing another diaper system, particularly for nighttime, and will happily teach her adopter how to manage her routine.

🏡 CRATE & SLEEPING

Once Dixie knows which crate is hers — with a comfy bed inside — she understands when it’s crate time. A little treat usually encourages her to step inside on her own.

Around the house, she has favorite dog beds where she loves to relax. At night, she currently sleeps in bed with her foster. Because of her bladder issues, she may urinate in both her dog beds and the human bed, so her adopter will need to be prepared for this part of her ongoing care.

🍽️ FOOD

Dixie is very food motivated — food is definitely one of the great loves of her life! She does show food aggression and is fed separately from the other dogs in her foster home. Her adopter should continue feeding her separately from other pets.

Because her mobility and exercise have been limited since surgery, Dixie is also carrying a little extra weight.

🚗 CAR RIDES

Dixie enjoys going for rides! For her safety, she travels wearing an H/Roman-style harness secured with a seat belt.

👋 MEETING PEOPLE & DOGS

With new people, Dixie may initially be standoffish and give plenty of nervous barks — and perhaps a little Dachshund side-eye! 😏 She can be shy, timid, and watchful until she knows she is safe.

New dogs also need to be introduced very slowly and cautiously. Give Dixie time and space to decide that everything is okay.

Once she trusts you, though, a completely different little girl emerges. 💕

💕 PERSONALITY

Dixie is happiest when she’s close to her person. She is a devoted little shadow and doesn’t particularly like having her foster out of sight.

She shows some mild anxiety and tends to remain alert around unfamiliar people and dogs. She handles thunder and loud noises fairly well, although she may become concerned when the other dogs start reacting.

She isn’t an excessive barker under normal circumstances, although you’ll definitely hear from her while her food dish is being prepared! 😂 When her foster leaves the house, Dixie goes into her crate without a problem.

Adoptable Dachshund Dixie, 6 years old, 15 lbs.

🩺 VET CARE & MEDICAL NEEDS

Dixie has received:
• Vet Check
• One or More Vaccines
• Dental Exam
• Spay
• Nail Trim
• Heartworm Testing & Medication
• Permanent Medication for Epileptic Seizures
• Major Back Surgery for IVDD

Her back legs remain weak following surgery and may always have some degree of weakness. However, during her year in foster care, Dixie has continued to gain strength. Her foster is hopeful that she’ll keep improving — maybe she’ll eventually be doing squats like a champ! 💪🐾

Medical Donations

We depend on donations from caring people, like you, to make a difference in the lives of dogs. As an all volunteer organization, you can rest assured that the donations go directly to help the dogs. Thank you!

🏡❤️ DIXIE’S PERFECT HOME

Dixie isn’t looking for just any home. She’s looking for a patient, committed person who understands that loving a special-needs dog sometimes means providing a little extra hands-on care.

Her ideal family will be comfortable expressing her bladder several times a day, managing occasional urine accidents, protecting her back, monitoring her mobility, feeding her separately from other pets, and giving her plenty of time to adjust to new people and animals.

In return, Dixie will give you something pretty wonderful: her complete devotion.

She is a sweetheart, a lover, a kisser, a little shadow, and an incredibly good girl. All Dixie really wants is love…and, of course, food! 🥰

🌟 AND DIXIE COMES WITH A VERY SPECIAL BONUS! 🌟

Her foster loves this girl so much that she has offered FREE PET SITTING FOR DIXIE FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE! ❤️🐾

Dixie has already overcome so much. Now she just needs someone willing to see beyond her special needs and recognize the loving little Dachshund waiting underneath.

🐾 Could you be Dixie’s forever person? 🐾 Adoption Fee: $150

If you believe you could provide a safe and loving forever home for this dog, please fill out an application with the dogs’ name on it. BE SURE to include the ID NUMBER!

*Be advised, we have a couple of volunteers processing hundreds of applications. We are unable to call everyone back as we do not have ANY employees. Our dedicated volunteers and foster parents will check references of the applications that appear to be a good match. At that time, if you are chosen, we will contact you to arrange a home visit.

The adoption fee helps to cover costs, as each dog is fully vetted, and treated, as needed to prepare them to move forward in their new life. You pay no fee unless you are chosen to adopt.