Indomitable Millie

Say hello to Millie. Indomitable Millie you might call her. She’s had a tough time in her short three-and-a-half years on earth, but against all odds, she’s survived.

Millie is part Chihuahua, part pug, and all heart and soul. Right now she lives with a Waggytail volunteer. But we’re hoping to find a more permanent home for Millie.

When we first came in contact with Millie, she wasn’t doing very well. She was afraid of just about everyone she came in contact with, and her behavior was quite unpredictable. She also had seizures and was prone to biting.

Unfortunately too, there were indications of abuse. She was terrified of leashes, which suggested she had not been properly trained by her original owner.

So we had our vet give Millie a thorough exam. She diagnosed that Millie was suffering from epilepsy. Thankfully epilepsy in dogs can be easily treated with daily medication. Today, Millie is free of seizures. Her biting has also pretty much stopped, as biting is often a result of epilepsy.

Still, there are concerns. Right now, she can’t go outside. That big, bad world out there is just a little too scary for her at the moment. Which means she requires indoor weewee pads.

And though she is very friendly toward people she knows, she has a difficult time with strangers. She loves to sit on the lap and snuggle with the Waggytail volunteer with whom she now lives, but she barks at other people.

On a positive note, Millie gets along with cats. Our volunteer has two of them. Yet whether Millie can co-exist with other dogs is a more difficult question to answer, since she has been indoors and away from dogs.

We strongly believe, however, that if placed in just the right circumstances, there’s no reason Millie can’t become a fantastic companion. She’s made amazing progress in the six months she has lived with our volunteer. The upside is looking very up you might say.

What Millie needs now is to continue her medication and find an owner who is willing to work with a professional trainer to see that Millie overcomes the lingering difficulties associated with her early years. That means an experienced dog owner—a dog owner who recognizes that patience and understanding can do a lot to make sure a dog gets to enjoy the long, happy and productive life that all pets deserve.

With the right care, who knows, maybe someday Millie will be fetching her new owner his Taco Bell every night. Amazing things do happen with love and determination.