TOPSY needs to be re-introduced as she has been with us a while now and has changed so much.
Topsy still has the same beautiful deep thinking eyes but they are more curious these days with much less fear. She is still cautious of strangers but she quickly becomes curious and will come for a closer look!
Topsy was born in Greece and was caught by the dog catchers when she was just a tiny puppy. Her fate was to be discarded in a public shelter for the rest of her life and her home was a concrete pen which she shared with a dog called Toast, and they viewed the world through metal bars. They weren’t allowed a blanket, straw or even a bed. Years passed and Toast was offered a home with a family in the UK. Topsy, now aged around 6, was left alone in the pen, hiding in the shadows. Until PJ changed her fate and offered her a new life away from her prison.
At PJ, Topsy has freedom, grass beneath her feet, a choice of straw and blanket beds, dog friends to play interact with all day every day, and a large paddock to explore, dig and sniff! She is taller than a labrador, slender, and about 30kg. She loves food and, in particular, treats! When treats are on offer, Topsy likes to sneak up behind the other dogs and then, as quick as anything, she will expertly stretch over all of her friends and pinch all the biscuits before they get a chance! Ha, clever girl! She shows no aggression whatsoever to other dogs or to people.
When Topsy arrived, everything was new to her - grass, a bed, freedom, the quiet, a gentle touch from a kind volunteer - and she remained in the shadows for quite a while. But not any more - she is still shy of people she doesn't know but she is a big softie really - a sensitive gentle girl who just lacks confidence. Her world has expanded and she enjoys walks outside out the sanctuary. If she is unsure of a something while out and about, she will stop and wait, look, and listen until encouraged to continue. She is improving all the time and has learnt to accept and give affection to the people who know her and she is ready for the next step in her life, which would be to finally be adopted into a loving family. There is no doubt that this would be a big step for a sensitive girl, but Topsy is ready for it. She will need somebody with lots of patience and time; somebody who can slowly introduce Topsy to the world around her new home and slowly expand her horizons.
We would not place Topsy with young children as she needs a calm quiet environment. She would benefit from being adopted into a home with another confident dog in the house to help her to settle, to guide her, and play with her. She has not been cat tested.
Even though Topsy is good on a lead and is enjoying her walks, we would still like her to have access to a secure, high fenced garden as she has never been locked away indoors. In an ideal world, Topsy would benefit from a family who is home most of the time. She doesn’t necessarily need a dog experienced family, but she does need a kind, gentle and patient home with people who are willing to work at her pace (slow!) and will accept her as the cautious shy beauty whose puppyhood and formative years were stolen by the dog catchers.
Please get in touch if you think you can become our Topsy's life companion and her world.
