Flora

My story

Notes from the foster: General observations (happy to talk with any one more, or any future potential adopters) Flora may have not lived in a house before based on her nervousness about common household items. She expressed curiosity about new experiences cautiously - for example, when we opened a kitchen drawer or cabinet, she would back away quickly. Same with the dishwasher, fridge and freezer doors. We just moved slowly until she knew it was safe- dishwasher still makes her nervous, but she will stay in the room now while we're loading. Other items such as a standing laundry hamper in our bedroom made her nervous one day- she'd walked by it several times, then one day, backed away from it. She's adjusted since. Biggest issue was the TV- it was not the noise, but rather the images that spooked her. She would bark loudly at it and leave the room. Early days we just kept the TV off in the living room during the day, then gradually introduced it over time. She would still bark, but a firm "no barking" followed by "its ok" seemed to work, but she would still leave the room. She would NOT walk in front of the TV if it was on to exit the house for potty breaks- we just turned it off and she'd go out. We continued to move slowly around her in the house, no sudden movements as she is easily startled. 이 2 minor pee accidents in the house, but we did frequent potty breaks outside- she can hold it over night and then some, since she would sometimes refuse to go. With us, she only poo'd once a day, in the morning, after breakfast, pre walk -- like clock work. • No apparent separation anxiety - we did not leave her alone until after the first full 3 days, but when we did, she was fine in her safe area. Always happy to see us, and no barking or alarm when we entered. Ο Ο 이 이 No destructive behavior, she likes her toys, and only tore up a peed pad we left down in her safe room - because it was fun. All her other toys she played with but didn't tear up. She did take a few of her toys into her crate, it was very cute, like she didn't want anyone to take them away, though you could reach in and touch them. It was more like she just wanted them near. She likes her crate, but not with the door shut- she would rest in there while I worked in the office. With her favorite new stuffy of course. She is NOT afraid of thunder/lightning or rainstorms - BIG BONUS in Florida. Didn't even lift her head from her bed during some big rumbles She does not get on the furniture, and even seemed a bit awkward when invited onto the couch. She jumped down and we left it alone not knowing if a future home would want dogs on the furniture. Her perfect family: Flora would benefit from a patient family who has another dog for her to play with. She loves attention, is trusting (move slow), open to belly rubs, and will follow her person from room to room quietly. Will settle wherever her person is. She would do ok with being a single dog in a home, but do think she'd like doggy play dates. Walks: she is decent on a leash. Doesn't pull you down the street, but walks at a good clip, nose to the ground mostly sniffing. She will slow down if you do. She didn't pee or poop on walks ever with us (only in back yard). She was nervous around cars and golf carts, but not fully spooked as they passed - over time she would get better. She was nervous about items in driveways- garbage bags, newspapers -would sniff a bit, then eventually we could say "leave it" and she'd ignore. She enjoyed her 20-22 minute twice daily walks, and would take some time to recover and rest when we got home. If it wasn't too hot, or we had cloud cover, I'd take her on a few more shorter walks as she would stand by the front door asking Listening skills: Flora responded to her name right away- and would come when called. Other phrases she knows: Sit: worked sporadically but not second nature to her (treats help and more time she would get it) Leave it: works well outside around strange objects - not so much with toys Out: - when we wanted her to leave the kitchen or while we're eating Back up: when we entered thru a door, or tried to leave thru a door -she sort of got it Go Potty: she got good at this - pees mostly Car Rides: Flora seems anxious on car rides- heavy panting and stands up in the back seat the entire time (30 minute ride leaving Humane Society). She's a climber, not a jumper, so allowing plenty of room behind the seat for her to get up onto floor, then seat worked well. Shorter rides to get gas, etc. were about the same, heavy panting, doesn't settle, walk from window to window in back seat. Other dogs - as you know, she does well with other dogs. People walk by our house and Flora had a big window to look out and she would always wag when she saw other dogs. We didn't have any doggo interactions, but she is definitely ready for some dog play time and would benefit from a house with another dog, or someone who can bring her safely to dog parks or play dates (not us-we don't feel comfortable) Play time - see above for play time with dogs- she for sure misses it. We played ball and with squeaky toys in the yard (fetch), but she also wanted to rough house a bit- she mouths your arm and bumps into you. She doesn't play rough with us, or her toys, but still has some spunk and a playful side. Where she stayed: We set up her crate (lots of soft blankets) in my home office that also had a couch, big window to the street etc. This was her "safe" space while she adjusted to us, but she had access to the entire house except at night or when we left for a few hours. We did play calming music in the office most of the time since our house is so quiet. When not home and overnight, we used a baby gate to give her access to her "side" of the house- which was the office, large hallway and bathroom. We set up a secondary bed in the hallway- so she could see when we came home. The last few overnights, we didn't use the baby gate at all, and she still slept in her bed, not even coming off it until I got up and greeted her. Big tail wags, and a tip over for a belly rub before starting her day. Super sweet. Her Routine: High level, breakfast and meds between 6:30am-7am daily. Dinner with evening meds between 4:30 and 5pm. Two walks per day, morning and evening. Play time in yard when she wanted to participate. Baths- Sunday, Wednesday and Friday (very little scratching and didn't show any discomfort from allergies). She's a champ at baths. Exposure: I shared info about Flora on several FB pages and left info about where she could be founp (your phone number on post). Not sure how she would do at a busy Villages town center, since she is a bit nervous. She may do ok at a PetSmart adoption event- but I'm sure you are all the better judges of that. Flora's perfect match is a loving, low-chaos home with calm humans, a secure yard, and ideally another playful dog. She's affectionate, smart, and full of potential-just needs a patient adopter willing to go at her pace and help her continue to blossom. General Observations - Flora Flora is a sweet, curious, and gentle girl who is adjusting well to home life, though she may not have lived in a house before. She's cautious around unfamiliar household items (TV, dishwasher, hampers) but has made steady progress with slow, patient exposure. Sudden movements can startle her, so a calm, understanding environment is ideal. House Behavior: • Two minor indoor accidents early on; otherwise house-trained with regular outdoor breaks. ㅇ No separation anxiety. Calm and happy when left alone. • No destructive behavior-plays gently with toys and enjoys bringing them to her crate. • Loves her crate as a resting spot (with door open). 이 Doesn't get on furniture and seemed unsure when invited. Sensitivity: • Not bothered by thunderstorms or rain (great for Florida!). • Nervous around household appliances and images on the TV, but improving with time and reassurance. Ideal Home: • A patient, quiet household-preferably with another friendly dog. • Will bond closely and follow her person room to room, quietly and loyally. o She enjoys affection, belly rubs, and being near her human. Walking & Activity: 0 Walks well on leash, moderate pace, nose-to-ground sniffer. • Nervous around cars, golf carts, and unfamiliar objects (e.g., garbage bags) but responds to "leave it." • Prefers to potty in a yard, not on walks. 이 이 Enjoys 20-22 min walks twice daily and asks for more when weather permits. Likes playtime (fetch, squeaky toys, light roughhousing) and has a playful side. • Commands & Training: o Knows her name and comes when called. • Commands she recognizes: "Sit" (with treats), "Leave it," "Out," "Back up," and "Go potty." • Still learning, but responsive and eager to please. •Car Rides: • Anxious in the car - pants, paces, doesn't settle. Needs more short, calm trips to adjust. Socialization: 이 Good with other dogs (happy to see them through the window). • Ready for playdates or a home with a canine sibling. 이 Not yet tested in busy social settings (e.g., town centers or events), may be overwhelmed. Routine & Environment: Breakfast and meds around 6:30-7am; dinner and meds around 4:30-5pm. Bath routine: Sunday, Wednesday, Friday - very cooperative. Lived in a quiet home office space with soft crate, toys, and calming music. Free access to more of the house as trust grew.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Flora, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.