Zuzu is a Goldendoodle who was only 7 months old when she came to AGR in June. She was surrendered because her owner could no longer afford her medical care. She had been diagnosed with hepatic encephalopathy and needed a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis, as well as follow-up surgery to repair the liver shunt. She also had Giardia, for which she was being treated. She was placed in one of our terrific foster-only homes but had to be moved to another when guests arrived to stay for a month – the extra people and dogs would have been too much commotion for this sick little girl. The foster had made a wonderful spreadsheet for keeping track of all the medications Zuzu had to take and when Zuzu needed to eat. Just before surgery was done to repair the liver shunt, we moved Zuzu to another foster in Phoenix. She saw to it that Zuzu got to all her several follow-up vet appointments and took her numerous medications. While the foster was walking Zuzu on the grounds of her condo complex, another family living just across the courtyard from the foster saw Zuzu and fell in love with her, submitted an adoption application and were approved in short order. The couple both work from home and are up to the challenge of a puppy, who has a lot more energy now than before when she was sick. They have renamed the dog Maple, because her color is that of maple syrup.

They have sent us several messages about Maple’s life with them. After Maple’s first night there, they reported she was up early for a walk and ate and took her meds just fine. Their Day 4 update was a little more specific: She’s making herself comfortable while we work. She is doing great learning some new commands: leave it, down, and settle. She is settling in really well with early morning and late evening walks, indoor play sessions during the day with plenty of nap time in between. She did pee in the house once, but I figured out she was trying to tell us she needed to go before it happened – I think we have her bathroom schedule figured out.

Recently, we received the following message from the adopters: There are so many places to start with sweet, little Maple when it comes to quirks and thirst for life after how things started for her. This little one loves to be outside, in the middle of a busy park or patio, and just watch the world happen around her. When another dog or people walk by, she puts on a big smile along with a slow, almost drunk-with-happiness tail wag that she is having this experience. At home she loves to play fetch and tug-of-war, get belly rubs, and find the most comfortable place to sleep throughout the day. She loves to rough house with Dad and takes little breaks to snuggle up. Mornings are a hoot with her big stretches and her “AROOOROOOROO’’ to let Mom know it’s time to go for her morning walk. Maple is very food motivated and very trainable; she has learned to shake, roll over, jump, stay, and lay down. Maple also loves her time at doggy day care once a week and her report cards reiterate how great she is – other dogs and attendants love her! We love being outside and go camping and hiking often. Maple went on her first of many camping trips she’ll go on with us; she just loves to be outside and she couldn’t have loved sleeping in a tent with us more. Since adopting Maple, not one day has gone by that we haven’t said “I can’t believe how lucky we are to have her.” She has been a perfect fit for our life; she has been an absolute delight, and puppy energy has been such a shot of energy for us too!

At her follow-up vet appointment near the end of September, Maple was pronounced healed from the shunt surgery, and the vet predicted she will now live a normal and healthy life – so good to hear!