Danika

I am delighted to introduce you to Danika a 15 month old Bichon Frise mix.  Danika is 11 pounds of pure love, sweet nature and energy.  Although Dani came into our care from a puppy mill, she was saved from becoming a breeding mama probably due to a large rash on her left rear and tail.  Our vet diagnosed it as dermatitis and it is being treated with twice daily antiseptic sprays.  At the writing of her bio there is only one small spot on her tail left and that is healing well.  Dani’s fur is growing nicely over her bald spots.  Her legs and front are very tight curls but her hind end is more soft and wavy.  Dani is mostly white but some of her new fur is a mix of white and a very pale brown.  Dani enjoys being brushed but really doesn’t shed.

When Dani first came into my home she behaved like a very young puppy, full of curiosity and mischief.  She had the company of a larger senior dog for her first 6 days with me.  Dani made a beeline for Kali and snuggled into and crawled all over her much as a puppy does with its mother.  Fortunately Kali was laid back, shared her bed and put up with Dani’s antics.

The first week of my anecdotal notes on Dani read like mini comedy skits.  She followed me constantly and tried to gain my attention by gently jumping up on my leg in order to be picked up and cuddled.  Dani needed diligent monitoring to keep her out of mischief.  If I lost sight of her I’d find my shoe or slipper relocated.  I soon learned not to leave a laundry basket on the floor.  A trail of clothes would greet me.  She loves dragging soft things around.  She now usually chooses her many toys to chew on and play with but she still has occasional lapses usually with my shoes.  Dani has a sense of adventure and once tried to jump into the bathtub with me.   She loves food and if she were bigger would definitely become a counter surfer.  As it is when I’m preparing food in the kitchen that little body stretches to try and reach the counter.  Food items need to be out of her reach at a higher level than a coffee table.  Dani also likes to overturn water dishes and she now has one that is anchored.

Dani took to walking on a leash quickly.  Cars going by don’t seem to bother her.  Dani isn’t distracted by bunnies and squirrels but she does pull and tries to chase birds and blowing leaves.  She is highly social when meeting dogs and people on our walks.  Her whole body vibrates with excitement and her tail wags nonstop.  She is fearless when meeting new dogs, no matter what their size.  Dani will tend to pull, eager to meet and greet so a firm grip on her leash is essential.   As with all mill dogs Dani is at risk to run.  Her new family will need to be vigilant and keep her secured when opening doors to the outside.Dani is now toilet trained and has had only one accident in the house in the past 2 weeks and that was more due to my not reading her signs. Initially Dani was leery of the robot vacuum but soon started following it around as a possible playmate.  She did the same with the Swiffer dry mop.

Once Dani caught on to the idea of toys she delighted in taking every toy out of the toybox and distributing them all over the house.  She now has 3 or 4 favourites that she chooses to play with and chew.

Dani has a great deal of energy which she needs to expend in order not to get into mischief.

We start our day with a 40 minute to an hour walk of around 2.5 km depending on how many stops we make to socialize or sniff.  She’s content to come home, eat and curl up on the couch for a nap for a few hours.  I take Dani for 4 walks daily totally 6 km although she is capable of more.  Lately I have exchanged one of her walks to work her on a 50’ long line in a nearby field.  Watching her run full out after a ball or stick is pure delight. She is learning to long range recall but it is still a work in progress.  Her new home will have to take into account Dani’s need for physical activity.  Ideally Dani would love a fenced in back yard where she could explore, sniff and chase birds freely.  In the house we often play fetch with a ball or stuffed toy down the hall.  Lately Dani has taken to doing zoomies around the house with a toy in her mouth and jumping up on a couch to cuddle with it.  Dani enjoys being on a long line exploring and sniffing while I work in the garden.

Dani is a smart puppy who needs an intellectual challenge.  She was able to do a level 2 treat puzzle in 3 minutes on her first try.  She cut that in half on her second attempt.  Off we went on a road trip to the pet store to purchase a level 3 puzzle.  This one wasn’t easy and it took her 6 minutes to figure it out.  By her third try a few days later she had it down to just over 3 minutes.

In my suv Dani is tethered behind me in the back.  She tends to whine because she can’t reach me.  She has had only one small upchuck on our journeys.  If a second passenger were in the vehicle to pet her I’m sure she would settle quietly.  She just wants contact with her human.

Dani has it all-speed, intelligence, stamina, ability to jump, focus.  I would strongly hope that Dani’s new family would consider taking her to agility training in the future.  This sweetheart is a super cuddler.  Dani adores all types of body rubs—tummy, under the chin, behind her ears.  She likes nothing better after being exercised than curling up in my lap or beside me and fall asleep.  She has done this for 2 hours without moving while I watched a movie on tv.  Dani would be easy to spoil and needs to continue to learn that she can’t expect to be picked up and cuddled whenever she chooses which is often.  Dani wants to be near me and keep me in her sight.  She will curl up on a chair or couch nearby while I’m busy.   If I move out of the room she quickly jumps down and follows me.  When I’m on the floor doing my yoga practice Dani will usually jump up on a chair and watch me.  Some days though she chooses to cuddle and try and lick my face.

Dani sleeps quietly through the night in her kennel and doesn’t stir until I get out of bed.  If she feels I’m too pokey getting dressed for our morning walk she will whine a bit.  Dani comes out of her kennel quietly, stretches and then wiggles all over for her morning cuddle before she zooms down the hall with or without a toy to wait at the front door for her morning treat before we go out.

Sometimes during the day when Dani is kenneled she will whine or bark.  Other times she is quiet. Because of this she would not be a good choice for an apartment or condo.   Dani doesn’t like being away from her human and would not do well if left for long periods of time.  During the day I usually  kennel her daily for 2 hours or so when I leave the house.  She would be best in a home where her humans worked from home and wouldn’t leave her alone for more than a few hours.  

Dani gets along well with dogs and recently met my neighbour’s 2 cats in a friendly manner.  She would be fine in a home with a dog that could put up with her energy and antics and with children over the age of 8 who would enjoy entertaining her with games of fetch or just running with her.  She is small and younger children might inadvertently step on her if she got underfoot, which she does!  Anyone in the home should not have mobility issues with this little firecracker running around.  

Dani would be the perfect companion for a family who enjoy walking and being active outdoors and want a cuddly love bug in their down time.  Please read this bio carefully before considering Dani as a choice for your family.  She is so worth the time necessary for her to grow into her full potential as she grows from puppy to adult.