I don't want to post her in rescue until I'm absolutely sure she has been surrendered by her owners, but here's the story...
11 week old female Pit mix (Mom is a Pit, Dad is unknown) has been at my vet for the past three weeks. Her owners "backed over her", and she came in w/a fracture close to her hip... she may - or may not - need surgery later on, depending on how she's healing. Right now she is able to walk, but she's pretty much on crate rest.
The owners have not responded to repeated phone calls concerning the puppies care, and today a registered letter was mailed to them. My vet considers her abandoned, but legally they are obligated to jump through hoops and make all sorts of efforts before the puppy can be released to a foster home, or can be put up for adoption. Which sucks... because right now she should be socialized and have tons of interactions w/people, and especially other dogs (siblings and Mom) - instead she's stuck in a cage at the vet.
So, Faust and I met her... and she is very, very cute... but she is a little bundle of rage. She wants nothing to do w/people (she kept nipping and growling at the vet techs when they tried to pick her up), but she LOVES other dogs. She was very appropriate when meeting and greeting Faust, as was he (YAY!!!)... but she completely ignored me, and I returned the favor since she was clearly uncomfortable around all of us.
Once the vet techs left I sat on the floor w/both Faust and her, and she tentatively sniffed my shoes but that was it... she only paid attention to Faust, and made a point of backing up and looking at me very suspiciously every time I moved.
Sooo, I don't know about fostering her... she's a "project dog", for sure.
IF she's surrendered and a foster home can't be found - she'll be euthanized.
For the time being I have decided to go up there every couple of days and spend some time with her, so she's not stuck in her crate 24/7... the staff tries to engage with her, but they simply don't have the time to make a real difference.
I was thinking of doing some c/t for simple things, like her coming closer to me on her own... or making eye contact... very basic stuff. Yes? No?
I'm pretty sure she's been manhandled in the past, so I don't want to force myself on her. I'm hoping she'll figure out on her own that I'm "okay", even if that means that I'll just sit in the outdoor kennel w/her and basically twiddle my thumbs for a couple of hours.
After that... I don't know... I'm not so sure I'm up to fostering a beast - and who'd want her???
Any ideas?
Oh, and did I mention that she is REALLY cute??? I'll be taking some pics later on in the week.