Luna (Medical Needs)

SPECIAL NEEDS [MEDICAL] - Somewhere out there is a person who will read this and not feel afraid of the care Luna needs — they will feel called to care for this sweet girl.<br/><br/>Meet Luna.<br/><br/>Luna is a tiny 5-lb shaggy dapple dachshund with soft ears, a feathered tail, bright, beautiful eyes, and a determined little spirit. She loves to cuddle, play with toys, and is just starting to discover the joy of chasing a ball. She is full grown (mini/kaninchen a.k.a. rabbit dachshund) and just over a year old.<br/><br/>She is truly a delightful little dog. <3<br/><br/>But Luna's life looks a little different.<br/><br/>She was born with Megaesophagus (ME) caused by a congenital defect. Because of this, she cannot safely eat by mouth and receives all of her meals (and water) through a feeding tube four times a day.<br/><br/>This means her future family will need to consider her needs carefully and be all-in. She will join your family and her ME needs are similar to an infant at times and this will change your daily routine, but her fosters have found some time-saving hacks and a group online for support.<br/><br/>This isn't typical dog care—it's daily medical care, consistency, and commitment. RX 2 x's a day that she takes this with no problem: sildenafil and ondansetron. It is not uncommon for her to regurgitate and if she gets really wound up and upset, may vomit--which we try to avoid so she doesn't end up in a regurgitation cycle with that. Laminate floors and Lysol/Clorox wipes make clean up easy. <br/><br/>And because of that, most people will read this and feel overwhelmed.<br/><br/>But we know there is someone out there who won't.<br/><br/>Someone who will see Luna for who she is, not just her condition.<br/><br/>Someone who will feel called to give her the life she deserves.<br/><br/>Her daily care is different from what most people expect with a dog and requires a family who is ALL-IN.<br/><br/>Her future home will need to:<br/><br/>- Feed by G-tube 3–4 times a day<br/>- Provide medication and careful monitoring<br/>- Prevent her from eating things she finds<br/>- Watch for regurgitation and signs of aspiration pneumonia<br/>- Calm her when barking ASAP, barking can trigger a ME episode which can lead to aspiration (aspiration pneumonia)<br/>- Calm her when ME kicks up so it doesn't ramp up for the same reason (it's like burping a baby)<br/>- Be home most of the time, as she becomes distressed when left alone (with ME dogs this appears to be more common and not separation anxiety)<br/><br/>This is daily medical care, not typical dog care.<br/><br/>But Luna is also something truly special.<br/><br/>She is gentle, affectionate, silly, and smart. She forms a deep bond with the people she trusts. Like many dogs with megaesophagus, she can seem a little dramatic at times—but much of that comes from navigating a body that doesn't always cooperate and it can be scary.<br/><br/>Luna didn't choose the body she was born with, but she shows up every day with a positive attitude, her adorable little walk, and her heart full of love.<br/><br/>We are looking for a foster-to-adopt home willing to learn her routine and provide the stability, patience, and -unconditional love- she deserves.<br/><br/>Because of Luna's medical needs, we will prioritize homes with the time, resources, and commitment to manage her care. We will be thoughtful and selective in choosing her placement. (Her food costs $200 a month)<br/><br/>Location preference: Salt Lake City area<br/><br/>Luna's veterinary care is currently with Neighborhood Veterinary Care and MedVet. RMDR would like her to continue with these clinics until she is ready for adoption.<br/><br/>Before adoption, Luna still needs to:<br/><br/>Gain approximately two pounds<br/>Be spayed (her condition is inherited)<br/>Receive her microchip<br/>Possible change over to flush button instead of g-tube<br/><br/>RMDR requires all dogs to be spayed or neutered before adoption. In Luna's case, this is especially important to protect her health and prevent passing on this genetic condition.<br/><br/>Our team will remain available for guidance and support throughout Luna's transition and beyond. RMDR will cover all veterinary costs until adoption.<br/><br/>Luna's ideal home:<br/><br/>All-adult household (or older, understanding children)<br/>No young children or frequently visiting grandchildren<br/>Someone home most of the time<br/>A fenced yard for safe exploration<br/>A calm dog (tolerant dachshund/cuddle-friendly) companion<br/>A quieter home environment<br/>Bonus points if you own a Ninja Bullet ;)<br/><br/>If you've made it this far and feel a connection, Luna's foster family would be happy to speak with you openly and honestly.<br/><br/>This little girl has so much love to give—she just needs the right person or family to love her back.<br/><br/>Every rescue dog eventually meets the person who says, "I've been searching for you." Luna is waiting for hers.<br/><br/>We know this is a lot to ask—but Luna deserves the very best chance at a happy, stable life. The dr's have said she has one of the most extreme cases they have seen of ME, but she tears around like a normal one year old puppy, rolling in the grass, etc, but after an ME flare will need a sleep/cuddle day or two for recovery (these are happening less now that she has a g tube). <br/><br/>As an added bonus, her foster family is local and happy to help with training, future care and babysitting RMDR understands her condition is big.<br/><br/>If you would like to talk to us about foster-to-adopting Luna, please fill out an adoption application at: https://rockymountaindachshundrescue.com/adoption-application/<br/><br/>Luna is being fostered in Sandy, Utah.<br/><br/>Rocky Mountain Dachshund Rescue (RMDR) has foster families in Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. Please check the dogs' location before your apply to adopt them. You will need to pick them up. RMDR DOES NOT TRANSPORT THE DOGS TO YOU or transport them across state lines.<br/><br/>The Colorado Department of Agriculture requires that all dogs entering PACFA-licensed facilities have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days of entry. Dogs over three months of age must also have proof of a current rabies vaccination, including the vaccination date, manufacturer, and serial number listed on the CVI. Puppies must receive parvovirus and distemper vaccinations at least 14 days before entry.<br/><br/>These PACFA requirements may affect the adoption fee. For questions, please email us at contact@rmdr.org.<br/><br/>At RMDR, adoptions are not first-come, first-served—we carefully place each dog in the home that best fits their needs. Applications are usually reviewed within 48 hours. Every RMDR dog is spayed/neutered, microchipped, and current on vaccinations.<br/><br/>If you’d like to be considered, please start our online adoption application here: https://rockymountaindachshundrescue.com/adopt

SPECIAL NEEDS [MEDICAL] - Somewhere out there is a person who will read this and not feel afraid of the care Luna needs — they will feel called to care for this sweet girl.

Meet Luna.

Luna is a tiny 5-lb shaggy dapple dachshund with soft ears, a feathered tail, bright, beautiful eyes, and a determined little spirit. She loves to cuddle, play with toys, and is just starting to discover the joy of chasing a ball. She is full grown (mini/kaninchen a.k.a. rabbit dachshund) and just over a year old.

She is truly a delightful little dog. <3

But Luna's life looks a little different.

She was born with Megaesophagus (ME) caused by a congenital defect. Because of this, she cannot safely eat by mouth and receives all of her meals (and water) through a feeding tube four times a day.

This means her future family will need to consider her needs carefully and be all-in. She will join your family and her ME needs are similar to an infant at times and this will change your daily routine,

SPECIAL NEEDS [MEDICAL] - Somewhere out there is a person who will read this and not feel afraid of the care Luna needs — they will feel called to care for this sweet girl.

Meet Luna.

Luna is a tiny 5-lb shaggy dapple dachshund with soft ears, a feathered tail, bright, beautiful eyes, and a determined little spirit. She loves to cuddle, play with toys, and is just starting to discover the joy of chasing a ball. She is full grown (mini/kaninchen a.k.a. rabbit dachshund) and just over a year old.

She is truly a delightful little dog. <3

But Luna's life looks a little different.

She was born with Megaesophagus (ME) caused by a congenital defect. Because of this, she cannot safely eat by mouth and receives all of her meals (and water) through a feeding tube four times a day.

This means her future family will need to consider her needs carefully and be all-in. She will join your family and her ME needs are similar to an infant at times and this will change your daily routine, but her fosters have found some time-saving hacks and a group online for support.

This isn't typical dog care—it's daily medical care, consistency, and commitment. RX 2 x's a day that she takes this with no problem: sildenafil and ondansetron. It is not uncommon for her to regurgitate and if she gets really wound up and upset, may vomit--which we try to avoid so she doesn't end up in a re