Gertrude - In Foster

Meet Gertrude... better known as Gertie.<br/><br/>She's approximately 1.5 years old, a chocolate dapple Chiweenie, and without question one of the quirkiest little dogs we've ever fostered.<br/><br/>Gertie was dumped on a rural road that's unfortunately well known for abandoned animals. One of our volunteer dog trainers spotted her, knew she needed help, and she landed in the foster home of our Programs Director (who has a well-documented weakness for dachshunds).<br/><br/>Today, Gertie is slowly figuring out that life is actually pretty wonderful.<br/><br/>Every morning she greets her foster mom like they've been apart for years, not eight hours. Her entire little body wiggles with excitement. Her tail goes a mile a minute. It's impossible not to smile when you walk through the door because Gertie acts like you've just returned from a deployment overseas instead of a trip to the grocery store.<br/><br/>She's become the sweetest little shadow, quietly following you from room to room just to be close. She has an adorable habit of walking beside her foster siblings and gently resting her head across their backs while they stand there, completely accepting whatever strange little thought just entered Gertie's brain. Honestly... nobody knows why she does it. It's just one of her many wonderfully weird Gertie-isms.<br/><br/>She's learned the doggie door, enjoys lounging outside on nice days, sleeps beautifully in a kennel, but is equally happy burrowing under the blankets with you at night. When the rest of the dogs decide they need to alert everyone about a suspicious squirrel, Gertie enthusiastically joins the neighborhood watch. She's definitely discovered her Chihuahua voice.<br/><br/>Life hasn't always been easy for her.<br/><br/>When she arrived, we discovered she had an old pelvic fracture, likely from being hit by a car sometime before she was rescued. Thankfully, it has healed and doesn't slow her down much at all.<br/><br/>She also tested lightly heartworm positive. Because of her previous pelvic injury, she is being treated using the slow-kill method, which is gentler for her than the standard injections. We'd be happy to discuss her treatment plan with potential adopters.<br/><br/>Gertie has also experienced two seizures while in foster care over the past several months. They have been brief, she recovered quickly after each one, and at this point they have been so infrequent that medication has not been recommended. We'll gladly share everything we've observed so her adopter knows exactly what to expect.<br/><br/>The biggest thing to know about Gertie is that she's still learning how to be a dog.<br/><br/>We don't think she came from a very kind situation before she was abandoned. New things can still make her a little nervous, but every single week she gets a little braver. A little more confident. A little more convinced that people can actually be good.<br/><br/>Watching that transformation has been one of the most rewarding foster experiences we've had.<br/><br/>Gertie isn't looking for perfection. She's looking for someone who will love her exactly as she is—a quirky, sweet, slightly odd little dog with a huge heart and an even bigger wiggle butt.<br/><br/>Whoever adopts her is getting an incredibly loyal companion. Once Gertie decides you're her person, she'll make sure you know it every single day.<br/><br/>And if we're being completely honest...<br/><br/>We're going to miss her terribly.<br/><br/>So yes, we'd absolutely love an adopter who's willing to keep in touch. We'd be thrilled to hear updates, see pictures, and we'd happily dog-sit when you travel. Dogs like Gertie don't come along very often, and we're all rooting for her happily ever after.<br/><br/>If you would like to meet Gertie, please send a completed application to our Programs Director and his foster mom to Rachel@jeffersonspca.org.<br/><br/>Adoption fee includes vaccines, spay/neuter surgery, microchip and a heartworm test. Any dog that tests positive for heartworms can be treated through our Fix-A-Heart Program. Adopter has to buy a year supply of heartworm prevention before treatment begins.<br/><br/>Please note: this application is view-only in Dropbox and must be downloaded to your device to be completed. You may fill it out using a PDF editing program or print it and complete it by hand. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ahiajf6e6i0ox2hdl09jk/JSPCA-Application_2.0-Newest-Updates.pdf?rlkey=be9he1julh02etikl021k9plk&dl=0<br/><br/>All adoptions subject to approval.

Meet Gertrude... better known as Gertie.

She's approximately 1.5 years old, a chocolate dapple Chiweenie, and without question one of the quirkiest little dogs we've ever fostered.

Gertie was dumped on a rural road that's unfortunately well known for abandoned animals. One of our volunteer dog trainers spotted her, knew she needed help, and she landed in the foster home of our Programs Director (who has a well-documented weakness for dachshunds).

Today, Gertie is slowly figuring out that life is actually pretty wonderful.

Every morning she greets her foster mom like they've been apart for years, not eight hours. Her entire little body wiggles with excitement. Her tail goes a mile a minute. It's impossible not to smile when you walk through the door because Gertie acts like you've just returned from a deployment overseas instead of a trip to the grocery store.

She's become the sweetest little shadow, quietly following you from room to room just to be close. She has an adorable habi

Meet Gertrude... better known as Gertie.

She's approximately 1.5 years old, a chocolate dapple Chiweenie, and without question one of the quirkiest little dogs we've ever fostered.

Gertie was dumped on a rural road that's unfortunately well known for abandoned animals. One of our volunteer dog trainers spotted her, knew she needed help, and she landed in the foster home of our Programs Director (who has a well-documented weakness for dachshunds).

Today, Gertie is slowly figuring out that life is actually pretty wonderful.

Every morning she greets her foster mom like they've been apart for years, not eight hours. Her entire little body wiggles with excitement. Her tail goes a mile a minute. It's impossible not to smile when you walk through the door because Gertie acts like you've just returned from a deployment overseas instead of a trip to the grocery store.

She's become the sweetest little shadow, quietly following you from room to room just to be close. She has an adorable habit of walking beside her foster siblings and gently resting her head across their backs while they stand there, completely accepting whatever strange little thought just entered Gertie's brain. Honestly... nobody knows why she does it. It's just one of her many wonderfully weird Gertie-isms.

She's learned the doggie door, enjoys lounging outside on nice days, sleeps beautifully in a kennel