Willing Hearts Dalmatian Rescue, Inc - PA, NY, NJ, MD, DE, OH, SC

21/02/2025

Hello! So we are about one month after Chocolate's surgery for traumatic angular limb deformity and I thought it was time for an update. Surgery didn't completely straighten her leg, but it is much better than it was. Poor Chocolate doesn't understand why she doesn't get long walks anymore and why she has to spend so much time in a crate, but she does LOVE the new toys and food puzzles that have donated to help keep her entertained. She is able to have more activity now, but isn't allowed to rough house play with her dog friends yet. She will have post op x-rays in a few weeks and then hopefully will be ready to really look for her new home. While it will be an adjustment for Chocolate who has spent several months at her foster home, Chocolate deserves a home ready to let her be the center of attention. Chocolate is extremely loving and always wants more attention! She is an active little dog and will need a home that is willing to do regular walks and exercise, as well as having a fenced in yard for Chocolate to run around and play with a dog friend! Chocolate is overall respectful of the older dogs that don't want to play, but she thrives with a playmate.

Chocolate ignores the cats in the house and has been fine with all ages and sizes of dogs. She can be a little exuberant when meeting new dogs, but she means well. Chocolate is the type of dal that is always investigating - I'm sure most of you understand that! She checks out cabinets and trash cans, but then is so charming it is hard to stay annoyed at her! She needs a few minutes to warm up to new people - she tends to bark, but hasn't acted aggressive. Once she gets to know the guests, they can't get rid of her!

Some of Chocolate's best attributes are her size and personality. She is tiny (35lbs at 18 months) and adorable and she works that as hard as she can! Her spots are a beautiful sprinkle around her nose and eyes and when she snuggles next to people, she vibrates with happiness. Her more challenging characteristics are her energy and persistence in counter surfing. At least her house training has come a LONG way since she first came to the foster home in Upstate New York.

If interested in adopting Chocolate please fill out an application at www.whdr.org

29/01/2025

Corey is a very sweet love bug, petite liver spotted 6 yo spayed female Dalmatian, she weighs about 40lbs, she was underweight when brought to the shelter but has gained a couple pounds in foster, her feet and body are saliva stained but it seems to be getting lighter I see no signs of itching or allergies. Corey is Not 100% housebroken but we are working on it. Corey is crate trained but is protective of her crate with other dogs, she loves to play and run around with the other dogs, she came with kennel cough so she is just now allowed to mingle with the other dogs and she enjoying it. Corey has the biggest smile and just loves to cuddle, she does jump up on people as she just loves attention and can't control herself she gets so excited, but we are working on the "off" command, Corey does have prominent bone structure on the top of her head, the shelter called it muscle atrophy, it has no affect on her health.
She is being fostered in Delaware.

If interested in Corey fill out an online application at www.whdr.org

26/01/2025

Update on Chocolates surgery. All went well,
Still a little rotation, but the surgeon was very happy with it overall!

She is now back at her foster home. Thank you for your support.

16/01/2025

I almost forgot because it is so not fun to ask for money but.... Chocolate's surgery, while an amazing feat of medical advances and an incredible chance for her to age with a hopefully an active and pain free life, well... the surgery is expensive. As all of you know, rescues like Willing Hearts don't even break even with adoption fees and we run almost strictly on donations. Chocolate's surgery is going to cost $6,000-7,000. Any donations, big or small, will help out a lot! Thanks in advance because helping Dalmatians is what keeps us going! Chocolate thanks you too.

Donations for Chocolates surgery can be made via PayPal at [email protected] or check to WHDR, PO Box 11, Royersford Pa 19468

15/01/2025

Hello Dalmatian lovers! Miss Chocolate has a big day at Cornell's Veterinary College on January 22nd. She is going to have her angular limb deformity repaired with a plating technique based on 3D models of her leg! We are really fortunate to have such a gifted surgeon and advanced technology to hopefully prevent severe arthritis and joint break down for our little girl. The recovery period will be about 8 weeks - keeping her quiet is going to be a real challenge!

Chocolate's manners have come a long way, but she is still a very active little dalmatian and will need a special home. She needs someone with Dalmatian experience and not a couch potato dalmatian! Chocolate needs lots of regular exercise and she greatly benefits from a playmate. She. loves having another dog to chase and run and romp with. Chocolate is also the kind of dog that will jump on the table and counters when you leave the room (if she doesn't come with you, because she is a bit of a velcro dog). Chocolate will chew, but having plenty of dog toys helps a lot. Her house training has come leaps and bounds, but she still has an occasional accident.

So that is the challenging part of owning Chocolate, which really isn't that different from the average/high energy dalmatian. That said, Chocolate is also one of the sweetest, funniest dalmatians. She loves to be with her people and follows her foster mom around the house. She has an adorable little whole body wag she does when she wants attention. She is tiny (35lbs) so her constant motion is less of an obstacle than a 65lb dalmatian. She gets along fine with other dogs and cats. She barks when she first meets people, but warms up (it helps to put her on a leash and have them feed treats).

Chocolate needs a home that is ready to give her obedience/rally/trick training in an all positive setting to help her develop her confidence and her mind. She also needs regular exercise and should have a fenced in yard to run free safely in, preferably with a buddy dog that also loves to play. And be ready to have a spotted lap dog that wants to be right next you all the time (she really wants to sleep on the bed with you too...).

15/01/2025

Chocolate continues to be a combination of energy and enthusiasm. She is nervous around new people and will bark, but warms up fairly. quickly. She is scheduled for surgery on January 22nd to try to fix her left front leg deformity. Even though she gets around pretty well on it, the leg is going to be prone to injury and severe arthritis if left the way it is.

Chocolate will be available for adoption after her surgery and recovery. She will need a home with lots of active dalmatian experience and preferably one that is ready to do obedience training or other low impact training to keep Chocolate's mind busy. Chocolate is a VERY active girl that is learning house manners slowly. She would definitely like a playmate - she loves to play despite her small size (34lbs). She should have a large fenced yard for exercise - a grassy area will be better for her to exercise than hard pavement and letting her choose how much to run will be important.

Chocolate is one of those Dalmatians that you might find in the middle of your kitchen table and her housetraining is in progress, not complete. But despite that, she has the sweetest tiny face and she loves to snuggle up close to her people and she vibrates with happiness while she gets belly rubs. She has come a long way in her foster home and will make someone a delightful companion.

07/11/2024

Hi Dalmatian lovers,

Meet Miss Chocolate. Chocolate is a 15 month old tiny ball of energy and love. She gets along with all ages and sizes of dogs and really wishes the cat would play with her. She was an outside dog in West Virginia and her house manners and good potty habits are lacking, but we are working on that. She has been spayed, but the reason she isn't available for adoption yet will be evident in her picture. Her story is that she had a fracture that was splinted and the splint fell off. Despite her crooked leg, she is playful and rambunctious (all 33 pounds of her - ha!), but we need to know if her leg can be fixed, since it looks like it is ready to snap at any moment. She has an appointment at a speciality hospital for a CT scan November 25th so we will know a lot more then. In the meantime, keep your dogs safe and if you feel like it, send a few donations our way to help with the vet bills!

You can send donations via PayPal to [email protected]

01/10/2024

Hi Dalmatian Lovers!
There is no greater joy in rescue than watching a dog develop happiness in their personality and Janna is certainly testament to that. When she entered rescue and gave birth that night, she was all business. Janna was a fantastic momma and had to be leashed to get her to go outside and leave her puppies to potty! As they grew older she was still "on alert" and seemed a very serious, but gentle soul. Now that she is spayed and most of the puppies have gone to forever homes (and her ear infection and allergies are treated), Janna is becoming PLAYFUL! She frisks after balls and play bows and runs in circles - but then she stops and looks around as if to see if anyone saw her. She still loves belly rubs and massages the best, but her playfulness is so wonderful to witness. She is probably older than the 2 years old on her turn in paperwork, maybe 3-4 years old, but she is still a young dog. She hasn't really played with any dogs except her puppies, but I think she might with time.
In some ways, Janna is a very easy dalmatian - she is not hyper and she LOVES snuggles. She is typical dalmatian with counter surfing and trash raiding though. She hasn't been walked on a leash at her foster home, so those manners may be lacking, but I'm sure she could learn.
Janna is great dog for someone who works and doesn't want to train agility or run marathons to keep their dog from destroying the house (or going crazy as so many dalmatians that are under exercised do). Janna takes a little to warm up to new people, but she hasn't exhibited aggressive behavior. It is still unknown if her allergies are going to be lifelong issue, or just a result of her past and pregnancy.
Janna is going to shine with individual attention and she so deserves it.

If you're interested in adopting Janna please go to www.whdr.org and fill out an application

23/09/2024

Update on Jongo:

Jongo is a 2 yr old dal. He's crate trained and good with cats. He was neutered and microchipped a week ago.
Jongo is selective with dogs he wants to play with so an only dog home or a home with a submissive female would fit best. He enjoys playing ball and long walks. He’s being fostered in PA.

Please use this link in interested in filling out an app for Jongo

https://form.jotform.com/41793123418151

06/09/2024

Meet Jongo he's a 2 yr old dal. He's crate trained and good with cats.
Jongo is selective with dogs he wants to play with so an only dog home or a home with a submissive female would fit best.
We are working on getting Jongo an appointment to be neutered. He's being fostered in PA.

If interested in applying for Jongo please click link below.

https://form.jotform.com/41793123418151

03/09/2024

Hi Dalmatian Lovers!

Don't forget momma dog. Janna is an approx 2 year old female who has been an exceptional mom and deserves to get loved for herself! She is slightly protective of her puppies and food, but hasn't gotten overly aggressive. Once she knew my son, she allowed him to read to the puppies nightly! She barks at new people and dogs, but hasn't gotten into any serious fights even when her puppies are involved. She ignores the cats. She allows people to handle her puppies and lets them run freely around the other dogs she knows (but if they start playing hard, she jumps up as the police to make sure the puppies are OK). It is a little difficult to say what her personality will be without the puppies, but I suspect somewhat chill for a dalmatian. She will check out the table or counter, but mostly wants to sleep on the couch and get belly rubs (she LOVES belly rubs). She has a terrible ear infection that we have only been able to start effectively treating since the puppies were weaned. Probably has another 3-4 weeks of treating that. She also had evidence of allergies, but those have been clearing up while in the foster home, so maybe just being in a clean environment will take care of that. Janna has done some hard work raising puppies and she will make someone a great dog in her own right!

If interested in Janna click the link below to fill out an application

https://form.jotform.com/41793123418151

01/09/2024

Hi, sorry we're re having some issues with our website, below is a link where you can fill out an application for adoption. Any questions please text 6103427237.

Thank you

Please click the link to complete this form.

31/08/2024

Puppy announcement! So in July, Willing Hearts got a call from a shelter that a very pregnant female dalmatian had been dropped off and they wanted her out before she had puppies in the shelter. Willing hearts moved fast and got her out on Sunday July 7th. She gave birth in the wee hours of the morning on July 8th to five female and 2 male lovely puppies. Janna proved to be an excellent mother and takes great care of her seven beautiful babies. We got a surprise as they got older - only 3 of the puppies were traditional black and white, 1 was liver and 3 were tri-color or lemon! The puppies have been raised in a loving foster home with children and other dogs, so they have a good foundation. They won't officially be ready for adoption until September 5th, when they will all be BAER tested for hearing. They will be posted individually at that time along with their hearing status. The puppies are currently fostered in upstate NY.

28/07/2024

This happy girl has been learning about living in a house and puppy manners. BB is food motivated. Her attention span is improving. BB is 2 years old. She wants to be involved in whatever her foster parent is doing and is willing to help. BB is fine with baths, having her nails done, and really enjoys being brushed. After playing or running around she will sit down next to or in a lap for some rubs. She is crate trained. She is a very social pup. If off leash outside, it has to be in a secure, supervised, at least 6 foot high fenced in area. She is good in the car. BB is especially energetic when playing with other pups.
BB is being fostered in Rhode Island.

If interested in adopting please fill out an application at www.whdr.org

12/07/2024

Hi Dalmatian lovers with a little room for a bob-tailed black puppy in your hearts! I have good good news after Jimmy's appointment yesterday! The orthopedic surgeon said that the way jimmy' pelvis is still growing, it may completely heal itself without surgery! YAY! This poor little puppy gets a break!! We are going to do some easy physical therapy (leash walks, flexion, extension) but he isn't going to require any major special needs to whoever is getting ready for their next bestest friend. Now to be fair, the surgeon said Jimmy probably isn't going to be a world famous agility dog, but I just laughed and said with his chill personality, he wouldn't anyway! Who is ready for a dog that is kind, chill, has the BEST bob tail wag, loves everyone, and moves with his own rhythm?

01/07/2024

So Jimmy/Rat/Baby Rat (sung in Baby Shark format) is a hard luck little puppy, other than the fact that he is in rescue. He is one we need help with. For starters, rather than being a beautiful Dalmatian, he is a beautiful mixed breed puppy (read in, hard to adopt). Second, this puppy had major trauma - maybe hit by car - before we got him. Rescue puts us in strange situations - Willing Hearts is primarily a Dalmatian rescue, but when other breeds fall in our lap, we are all human and want to help. Look into this guy's eyes and tell him he isn't good enough because he doesn't have spots. 😆 We couldn't do it. So little Jimmy got extremely specialized surgery to repair a hole in his diaphragm. He was on strict rest while he recovered and he did great - breathing normally, eating normally, dewormed to get rid of all the parasites in his GI tract... But as he got stronger and started playing more, it became apparent that he didn't move quite right with his back legs. After a new set of x-rays. we discovered he also had a broken pelvis. He has an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon to go over options on July 11th. Jimmy gets around well, but he has trouble with stairs and sometimes his back legs cross. We are curious to know if this is something he can live with or if he will need yet another surgery. We would greatly appreciate any donations to help cover costs and any shares to help this sweet pup get more attention. He is going to make someone a great dog - he is around kids and cats and other dogs - and he is just a chill little dude. Thanks for not over looking a sweet soul.

01/07/2024

Cookie is one of the cutest dogs to ever avoid a camera... Her pictures just don't do her or her personality justice. She is working on her housetraining and has made great strides. We are also working on leash training (she is used to having a big yard to run in and her leash skills were limited). She just LOVES people and even though she jumps a bit, her small size makes it not near as much trouble as the big dogs. She has absolutely imploring round eyes and a beautiful brindle coat. Cats and kids are no problem for her (although she will eat cat food at every opportunity!). If someone is looking for a small, athletic, friendly dog, Cookie will fit the bill!

14/06/2024

Early peak at Luna! Luna is still settling into her new foster home and recovering from her spay, but soon she will be looking for her new forever home!

Luna is 2 years old, liver and white girl with LOTS of energy! She hasn't been around many other animals until her foster home. Her dog-to-dog manners are rough. She doesn't mean to be rude, but often the other dogs don't want to play with her much yet. She is also overly interested in cats. Hopefully this will improve as she gets used to them.
But she LOVES people. She is friendly and greets everyone enthusiastically. She could be a social butterfly (as long as we get the happy jumping under control - but she is often careful enough when she jumps that it is hard to not encourage her by petting her!).

I will try to post updates as she relaxes and I get to know her better. The last week has had some big changes for this lovely lady.