Olive Ashford

My story

Please note that inquiries on this site are not monitored. To apply for a specific dog with Bulldog Haven NW rescue or submit a general application, please visit https://bulldoghavennw.org/apply/ Meet Olive: A 3-year-old female French Bulldog After spending much of her early life in discomfort from untreated IBD, Olive is finally starting to discover who she truly is, and it's a beautiful thing to witness. She's emerging as a sweet, inquisitive, and incredibly intelligent dog who just needs the right person to help her blossom. Olive is very food motivated, which makes training both effective and rewarding. She already understands "come" and "sit" (though not consistently just yet), and she's beginning to show her playful side. With consistency and structure, this girl will shine. She's very inquisitive, makes intense eye contact, and genuinely tries to understand what you're asking of her. It's important to note that Olive requires a prescription diet for her IBD and will need a family who ensures strict adherence to her food requirements. Olive lights up during walks, car rides (especially with the window down!), and time spent outdoors. While she's not leash-trained yet, she responds well to gentle guidance and is improving with practice. A fenced yard and plenty of outdoor enrichment will be key to her ongoing growth. Olive craves closeness but doesn't need to be smothered. She prefers to lie nearby, not right on top of you. She adores gentle massages, especially on her head and ears, and once she trusts you, she will offer belly-up snuggles and even ear licks. She sleeps soundly through the night (in bed, of course!) Olive startles easily and will bark fearfully at new people, especially those who don't approach gently or come without treats. But with reassurance, patience, and food, she warms up quickly. She appears to have a preference for women and bonded with her foster mom almost instantly. She enjoys occasional playtime with her 75+ lb Sheepadoodle foster brother, but she does show some possessiveness of her human when he comes around-mild resource guarding that is manageable with consistent leadership. She'd likely do well with a social, respectful dog her size or smaller, especially one who isn't pushy. What Olive Needs Most Olive will thrive in a home with: · A moderate to highly experienced dog person, preferably a woman · Someone who works from home or is home most of the day · A gentle, consistent training approach and commitment to long-term care · Outdoor access and plenty of daily stimulation · A dog-savvy home that understands her GI needs and emotional sensitivities While she's currently on Prozac, it has shown little benefit, so a different medication may be explored in the future. A Few Things to Note · Olive has a history of coprophagia (eating feces), especially when left alone, likely a learned stress response from early neglect · She should not have access to non-prescription food (including other pets' food) due to her IBD · Her rectal straining and occasional inversion can be startling, but are part of her medical condition and not harmful Ideal Family Olive has not been tested with cats, kids, or multiple dogs at once. A calm household of dog-smart, loving adults would be ideal, especially those open to her unique needs and healing process. With time, trust, and the right environment, Olive will repay you in loyalty, love, and the deep bond that only comes from a dog who's been waiting her whole life to feel safe.

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