It’s not the size of the dog in the fight but that size of the fight in the dog.
No statement could be more true then for our bebe girl, Pitaya! This girl is a fighter, she has overcome more than we ever thought she could and continues to surprise us with her strength and bravery. Pitaya arrived as a neonate and a result of an accidental litter, she has one of the worst cleft palates we have ever seen at LoP, as well as a unilateral cleft lip. As her cleft palate is so severe, Pitaya is still, at 8 weeks old being tube fed and carefully hand fed and currently we don’t have a solution to have her eat independently. The reality is that dogs like Pitaya rarely survive but we believe we always should give them a chance and we are so glad we did because this girl (fittingly named after the dragonfruit) has the heart of a DRAGON!
This ‘adoption’ is not our normal, the fact is that Pitaya’s future is unknown but we truly believe that this tough little cookie will need a long term goal and that’s finding a forever fam. So, with that being said, we are putting the feelers out, testing the waters and seeing what might be out there… Is there someone who is up for a challenge? Someone who could open their heart and home to a teeny tiny little bully who’s situation is like no other? Someone who has time, patience, resources and the heart of a god damn lion, who will work in collaboration with LoP to fight for the most amazing girl we have ever meet?
Tay Tay is sassy, she’s spicy, she’s everything you’d expect from a bully and more! Don’t let the fact that she’s the size of a mouse fool you, she is absolutely fearless, she will play and wrestle with anyone who is up for a game of bitey face but just as quickly scurry into your arms for a cuddle. Pitaya is affectionate and sweet, and no matter how sick she may be at times, you’d never know… all you see is a tough mother trucker who won’t let anything get her down. We seriously can not express what an amazing creature she is!
So, this is just us, putting it out into the universe and seeing what comes to light, there may be nobody but there may be somebody who believes in Pitaya like we do. If that’s you, let’s talk.
BEFORE you read Pitaya’s adoption criteria it is extremely important that potential adopters give great thought and communicate in their adoption application as to what their home set up and routine plan is for the first few weeks/months if they are the successful adopter of this most precious pupper. Pitaya cannot be settled in over just a weekend and then left on a Monday home alone while you return to work… There needs to be a plan outlined so that her foster family can feel assured she is going to be set up for success in her new home.
ADOPTION CRITERIA
Deal breakers:
– Pitaya needs someone committed. Full stop. Her health is very compromised and she needs someone who has serious time and resources to help her alongside LoP.
– Pitaya will need to continue to be tube feed / carefully hand fed, this is a skill we can teach you.
– Despite her health, Tay Tay needs socialisation and stimulation like any regular doggo, playing and learning are vital.
– Pitaya must be truly part of the family, she needs someone around way more often than not.
Non deal breakers:
– A family with a history of caring for high needs dogs, some basic knowledge of vet care and/or a strong desire to learn.
HEALTH
– Pitaya has a unilateral cleft lip and a severe cleft palate. She currently needs to be tube fed / carefully hand fed and this will be ongoing until her cleft palate is thoroughly assessed and a solution can be found.
– Pitaya’s case will be overlooked by Dr Arthur House in the Mornington Peninsula, Vic, so whilst interstate adoption will be considered, it’s imperative that you will be able to travel to Victoria for assessments with Dr House.
ADOPTION DETAILS
Please click here for an adoption application.
**We do our best to review and reply to all applications within 14 days, please be patient.
– Microchipping
– Desexing after 12 months of age (adoption under desexing contract clause and desex age dependant on individual health needs of each animal)
– Up to date vaccinations, flea, tick & worming treatments
– As with all our cleft palate + lip pups, Life of Pikelet will e-introduce you to Dr Arthur House, the leading canine cleft specialist surgeon in Australia. All our Life of Pikelet puppers that choose to continue cleft repair assessments through Dr House receive our phenomenally generous rescue discount for surgery (if required). Quite literally below a quarter of what you would normally expect a cleft repair to cost by a specialist in this field.
MICROCHIP NUMBER 953010100416797
SOURCE NUMBER RE128924
**Located in foster care in Victoria, Pitaya is available for interstate adoption however this comes with the firm understanding that if an interstate candidate is successful, Pitaya’s new family will need to come to HQ to complete adoption paperwork and travel home with her. Interstate candidates please see above in deal breakers/non-deal breakers. Video footage of yard & home will also need to be provided along with the agreement to a possible home check by a local Life of Pikelet rescue volunteer.