23/11/2024
ZIGGY & LANCELOT
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION (AS A PAIR)
⏰ Low alone time/someone with them much of day
🌱 Safe & secure fenced yard
💜 Older (8+) gentle children okay
🚘 Driving distance to a vet ophthalmologist for Lancelot
🛑 If you do not check ALL of the above requirements, your application will not pass the screening process for consideration. We do not compromise on these requirements as we feel they are essential to a successful adoption with Ziggy and Lancelot.
🛑 Before applying to adopt, please be sure that the entire family is on board and committed, and that great consideration is given to the time, effort, and funds involved in properly and responsibly raising a puppy.
MEET ZIGGY AND LANCELOT 🐶🐶
This summer, adorable Ziggy and Lancelot were rescued out of a filthy, hot Alabama puppy mill where they endured neglect and suffered in inhumane conditions. We were not provided any records on the dogs but believe Ziggy is about 3 years old and Lance to be about 9 months old now. They have spent the past several months in their foster home together in St. Simons Island, Georgia, getting healthy and learning all about freedom, fun, love, and family. They have responded beautifully to the excellent care they are receiving and are now medically cleared and ready to find their perfect match family to call their own. They are a perfect pairing and hoping to be adopted together where they can stay furever furiends!
MEDICAL 🩺
Ziggy is now a healthy boy! He arrived with ear infections and hookworms which have now been effectively treated and cleared. He also underwent his neuter surgery in our care. His heartworm and tick borne illness test and f***l test is negative, and his urinalysis and bloodwork are normal. We also found his eyes, knees, hips, and heart to be clear and congenitally sound at this time. We were not provided vaccination records on the dogs so we sent off titer tests which showed Ziggy was already protected against parvo and distemper. He received a rabies vaccination. Ziggy is now a healthy boy who is up to date on vaccinations, neutered, microchipped, and on monthly preventatives. He is not on any medication and does not require any additional vetting outside of regular wellness checks at this time.
Lance also arrived with infections and parasites but is now a healthy pup who is up to date on vaccinations, neutered, microchipped, and on monthly preventatives. His f***l test and heartworm and tick borne illness test is negative, and his bloodwork and urinalysis is normal. Lance's knees, hips, and heart are clear and congenitally sound but he arrived into our care with low tear production (dry eyes). He has been on a twice a day eye drop medication to help stimulate and boost his tear production and it is now within normal limits. He will likely need to remain on this eye drop medication for life to maintain this adequate tear production and should continue to be monitored by an ophthalmologist. Otherwise, Lance is a healthy young boy!
FOOD & POTTY HABITS 🥘
Handsome Ziggy is typical in size at 14.6 pounds which we feel is his ideal weight. He has the merle gene which gives him his unique merle tri color coat and his striking blue eye. His coat is growing in beautifully now that he is in a clean environment, receiving proper care, and good nutrition. Adorable Lance is still a growing puppy at 11.5 pounds and is filling out nicely with excellent care and groceries. They both love to eat and will lick their bowls clean. Supervision is needed at mealtime to ensure everyone stays at their own bowl. They are eating and enjoying their twice a day Fromm meals and plenty of treats throughout the day for lots of positive reinforcement. Lance is eating the puppy formula which he will need to stay on until he is one year of age. They have been trying lots of new foods that didn't exist in puppy mill life, and have decided that they like bananas, apples, sweet potatoes and peaches. Their adopting family must be committed to continuing their portioned meals, healthy treats, and daily activity/exercise to ensure they remain at their ideal weights, best health, and best selves.
This is the first time Ziggy and Lance have ever been in a home environment, and they are off to a great start with potty training as long as they are given plenty of opportunities outside to be successful. They should be taken out first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and every couple hours in between including immediately after meals. They use the safe and secured fenced yard in their foster home for pottying and love the freedom to be able to roam and check out all the trees and bushes and the best places to potty! They should be given adequate time outside to take care of their potty business since all the smells are new and exciting. Because they are treat motivated, a special high value treat immediately following good potty behavior will be excellent reinforcement for them. Even though Ziggy and Lance are off to a fantastic start with their potty training, please know that accidents and some initial marking are to be expected, especially initially while they transition to another environment and routine.
PERSONALITY 💜
Ziggy's foster mom describes him as sweet and playful, but still unsure of people. Of course he never received any human love or attention in the puppy mill and so he is just beginning to learn how to interact with people and receive love. He is trying hard to be brave and has progressed to wanting to investigate people by sniffing their hand. You can tell he wants your love so badly, but right now he is distrusting of hands and backs up when they reach for him. While it will just take more time to relearn that hands are not going to hurt him, he has gotten comfortable experiencing the closeness of being with his person and loves to cuddle up close to his foster mom on the couch. He now jumps onto the couch to his favorite perching spot on the back cushion where he will rest his head on his foster mom's shoulder. Ziggy just needs more time and gentle love to continue to bloom - as he gains more sense of security and confidence, more of his darling little personality will come out! While he is unsure of people due to his lack of experience and exposure, he has been very socialized with other dogs and really comes to life when he has a playful canine companion to play with, like playful Lance! He loves chasing his Cavalier friends outside through the yard and will romp, roll, and rough house together! He has also discovered toys and bones and loves them all! While it is hard to pick a favorite, we'd have to go with Mr. Duck who makes a crinkly noise. Each day he seems to find a new toy to check out! A full toy basket is a must in his furever home. We love seeing his confidence come out when he engages in play, and Lance certainly brings this out in him!
Lance's foster family describes him as a pistol - he is spunky, playful, and adventurous! They say, "he has a ton of energy and can quickly go from playing chase with another dog, to chewing on a bone, to leaping on the couch for some TLC!" He also loves being outside in the yard where he will independently explore and search for the perfect stick or leaf to play with. He is a lover of toys, ice cubes, roughhousing with Ziggy and the other boys in the house, and is a known shoe thief (flip flops are his favorite!) He is a typical puppy in that he will play and play until he wears himself out and then naps and recharges for the next round. When he's tired, he becomes a snuggly puppy and loves a good cuddle with you! His foster mom reports that he gives the best kisses!
ROUTINE ⏰
Ziggy and Lance start the day with a trip outside for pottying, then back in for breakfast, before more outside playtime. They spend much of the day with their foster family - being where they are and doing what they are doing, and enjoying a nice, leisurely, laid back lifestyle full of quality time spent together, and lots of opportunity for activity and fun! They love to be outside in the yard running, exploring, and also enjoy couch cuddle time and naps when they've run out of steam! During short periods of time when no humans are home, they stay in a puppy-proofed area of the home together with their Cavalier foster siblings where they have plenty of space, comfort, and companionship. They do well left for short periods of time as long as they have each other and their Cavalier friends, but they are certainly happiest being with their people and having plenty of opportunities for activity and so we are seeking a family where someone is able to be with them much of the day and where they will have low alone time and plenty of snuggle and play time! Ziggy and Lance have not been crated or otherwise strictly confined since being in our care - they do not need to be and we do not recommend that they are due to their past history of confinement. After dinner, it's time to go potty and then more play! When it is time for bed, they are taken out for final pottying and then use pet steps to get onto the big bed - we will ask that pet steps be available to them in their new home. After a full day of fun, play, and freedom, they sleep well throughout the night cuddled up close to each other and their Cavalier foster siblings. We are seeking a family who will continue to allow them into the big bed with them, where every Cavalier belongs.
SOCIALIZATION 💕
Due to a lack of socialization in a puppy mill, Ziggy is very cautious of people and shies away from them. He has reached a level of trust and comfort with his foster mom over the past few months and has shown good progress developing the special canine-human relationship and bond. And we can see that he wants more! He now feels comfortable climbing in his foster mom's lap and giving her kisses. He is easily startled and scared by loud noises and sudden movement and is also afraid of hands and being reached for. He responds best to a gentle, calming voice, and lots of patience and gentle encouragement. Since Lance missed out on socialization the first 4 months of his life, he too can still be slightly timid and cautious when meeting new people, but warms up very quickly once shown gentle love. He is curious about new people and will approach, but then startles when reached for. It is best to slowly introduce your hands to him and give him ample time to feel comfortable and safe. Loud noises will also get his attention and startle him but he recovers quickly. He is getting more and more comfortable with people, noises, and the world around him every day!
They boys need a patient family who will give them time and space to continue to bloom, and will be happiest and thrive best in an active adult only home or a home with gentle, older children who have dog experience and can understand their puppy mill pasts, respect their space and boundaries, and know how to love and engage with puppies appropriately and gently. Continued positive and gentle human interactions and experiences are important for their socialization and so they should have opportunities to meet and interact with people. Ziggy & Lance have both learned to walk on a leash and are enjoy neighborhood strolls and trips to the beach. They also enjoy car rides and ride safely and comfortably in their boosted car seat where they can see more of the new world around them. We would encourage their family to take them out on car rides and will ask that they get them a car seat. We think they will be very happy if those car rides end up at Starbucks for a pup cup!
Ziggy and Lance are best buddies and they love to play fetch, tug, and chase with each other and their Cavalier foster siblings. When they finally run out of steam, they can all be found cuddled up close to each other. They love their Cavalier foster siblings and quickly became a part of the 'pack'! Canine companionship is very important to them and it is a true joy to see them completely comfortable and confident enjoying themselves in play with each other and their Cavalier furiends! They are learning a lot from their Cavalier siblings and when they see them receiving and enjoying human affection and attention, we see them wanting to explore and experience that too. They would do very well in a home with another Cavalier(s), or other dogs of similar size and temperament. They have not been around cats while in our care so we are unsure how they would do with a feline friend in the home.
IDEAL HOME & FAMILY 🏡
Most importantly, Ziggy and Lance need a loving, patient family who has the time and ability to shower them with gentle love and attention and make them included and important members of their family. Because puppies need a lot of stimulation, attention, engagement, and activity, we are looking for a family who is able to be with them much of the day to allow for plenty of opportunity for activity, socialization, and for staying the course with their potty training. Ziggy and Lance need a home with a safe and secured fenced yard for pottying purposes and so they can continue to enjoy their outdoor freedom - they love to run, roam, explore, patroling for squirrels, and hunt for lizards! They love to be outside and would love to find a family who would also enjoy spending time outdoors with them. Please understand that Lance is small at 11.5 pounds and fences that are not “privacy” will need to be secured and reinforced as he can fit through narrow spaces. In addition to a safe outdoor area for pottying and play, we will also be looking for a very "puppy proofed" home as puppies will be puppies and will get into everything they can. Anything within reach of the pup is up for grabs and so ensuring that the yard and inside of the home can and will be well maintained for his safety is imperative. He will also need to be protected from any railings that he may be able to squeeze through. Puppies are fearless and will not understand dangers, so his new family must be diligent to keep him safe. Their foster home does not have stairs, so if there are stairs in their furever home please know there may be a learning curve. Lastly, the family should live within reasonable driving distance to a veterinary ophthalmologist as Lance's eyes should be monitored to ensure he is continuing to respond well to his tear stimulant drop and that his tears are remaining within normal limits.
HOW TO APPLY 💻
Ziggy and Lance are sweet, handsome, healthy, playful, silly boys who have been given the opportunity to have a second shot at living their best life! They need a family who will understand their pasts and provide them the love and patience to adapt and thrive. With the right family, these boys will continue to bloom and will enjoy an amazing life with their family full of love, fun, and freedom! If you feel you are great fit and meet all of their requirements, please fill out an adoption application found on our website (TheCavalierRescue.org), and then email us at [email protected] to express your interest **letting us know why you feel you are a match**. Ziggy and Lance are located in St. Simons Island, Georgia and travel there is required. They are available now so please only apply if you are able and ready to move forward with adoption at this time. The requested adoption donation is $1250 (for both).
