Background Info:



Strawberry Shortcake (or Shorty as we nicknamed her) was brought to the local animal shelter as a stray and was sadly never claimed. We know that she had a home at one time because her body tells the story of a dog who was used repeatedly for breeding. MPR promised to give this mama a break and find her a home where she can finally be pampered and treated like a beloved pet.

Adoption Fee: $0
Sponsored by: Project Happiness LSMO
Breed: American Bully mix
Sex: Female
Age: 7-10 years old
Weight: 60lbs
Health Condition:

Shorty seems to have endured years and years of neglect and overbreeding before coming into our program. She was underweight when she arrived, with sores all over her feet, the skin under her belly stretched and almost dragging to the ground, and a loneliness in her eyes that broke out heart. She basically was a mess inside and out.



We shudder to think of the things this sweet dog has endured at the expense of churning out babies for her previous owner’s profit. The good news is that good nutrition, daily Epsom salt baths for her feet, and lots of love have already had an incredible impact on healing her physically and mentally. She receives her daily foot soaks so patiently and actually enjoys them. It’s like she’s at the spa getting pampered rather than getting medical treatment. She certainly deserves it!

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Please note that Strawberry shortcake was diagnosed with a heart murmur, which is not rare with American Bullies and Bulldog mixes. She may not live to be 16 but we hope to see her enjoy many more years of happiness. Exercise might need to be limited however, as well as exposure to extreme heat.

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Physical Description:

Shortcake is the most adorable short and stocky bulldog mix. She has beautiful chocolate brown eyes and deep red coat. She has the cutest little teefers displayed in her underbite with a tongue that frequently pokes out. It’s too precious for words! Her walk is more of a waddle and she's an adorably clumsy mass of love and joy.

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Current Living Situation:

This sweet girl is fostered in a home with two adults and a senior Bulldog. Slow introductions with her foster sibling are in progress. She is crate trained and sleeps in her crate when home alone and at night with no trouble at all. Housebreaking is in progress. Shorty has access to a large fenced yard, but still has occasional accidents inside.



Personality:

To put it simply, Shortcake is one of the sweetest dogs we've ever had come through our doors at MPR. She is easy going and such a joy to be around. She wants nothing more than to be cuddled and pet gently. She's described as a “dream girl” with the sweetest most gentle soul.



Foster mom says Shorty loves playing with toys and has little bursts of energy outside in the yard sometimes, but she's ready for a nap after a few minutes. She loves to snuggle on the couch and stare deeply into your eyes before she dozes off. She has an impressive variety of snores that are sure to crack you up! 😂

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Behavior with people:

Shortcake loves anyone and everyone she meets, and she is so well behaved in her greetings. She is happy, sweet, and loving, in a shy and gentle way. She's not a high energy girl as we suspect she's spent much of her life unloved and neglected. Shorty's not a jumper or a barker. She'll just trot behind you slowly, wag her tail, and gently ask for love. Truly the sweetest thing!



Behavior with children:

Shortcake has received many visitors in her foster home, including kiddos and she's been friendly and well behaved. She has been around 8 to 9-year-olds without any trouble. She's incredibly sweet with everyone. Because of what she has endured though, we believe she would do best in a quieter home environment where she can be loved, pampered, and cared for in a way she previously never was. A home without young kids if preferred but we are not ruling out older children who can understand her trauma and be gentle with her.



Behavior with other dogs:

Foster mom says she could possibly live with a compatible, calm canine buddy who also wants to enjoy the slower pace of life. No high energy pals for this girl! She can be stubborn at times and territorial about the couch. The older dog in her home is very passive and let's Shorty be in charge. Teaching her how to share space and respect boundaries is a work in progress that will likely continue to improve with good leadership from her owner.



A home where Shortcake can be queen of the castle and live out her senior years in total peace would also be great for this gal! We want her to be loved and adored unconditionally all the days of the rest of her life. Her perfect person will be willing to give her the time she needs to learn how to be loved as a family member instead of used as a tool to make a profit. If you open your heart to her, you will be rewarded 10-fold with her unconditional gratitude.



Behavior with other animals:

Shorty has exhibited some moderate prey drive. She did ok when briefly meeting a cat in a transition home but wasn't that great when she did an adoption trial in a home with a kitty.

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When outside, she is very interested and squirrels, opossums, etc. but can be redirected when on a leash. She's not the fastest mama in the world, so her chances of ever catching one are comically low.

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Training:

It's obvious Shortcake has been in survival mode for most of her life. She knows to do her business outside, but she has also had accidents inside. We are hopeful this will subside once she settles in a bit more and becomes more comfortable with her environment. The old gal doesn't know any tricks, but she's very eager to please. Foster mom says she's not defiant, but you can see her desire to make you happy is at odds with her bulldog stubbornness sometimes.

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Best Attribute:

Shortcake's adorable short, stocky frame, beautiful brown eyes and sweet demeanor has stolen the hearts of every volunteer at MPR. Your heart will melt when she gazes lovingly at you and her adorable little tongue sticks out from her underbite. She has the cutest little gentle trot and when she wants to come up on the couch, she softly puts her front paws up and waits patiently for a lift for her back end. Once she's on the couch she melts into you and soaks up every bit of love.

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Note from foster mom:

"Shorty is the SWEETEST and most docile dog I have had in my home and maybe ever met. If you are looking for a couch companion to snuggle you it is her. 100000%. She’s a happy little gal whose favorite things include: love, snuggles, the couch, and toys. Squeaky plush toys, chew toys, you name it she loves it. And when she brings you one of her beloved toys as an offering I guarantee your heart will MELT."

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