Tessa

PUPPY ALERT!!!  Welcome, Tessa!  Tessa is an adorable, sweet 3+ month old puppy (DOB 8/21/16) who joined OBG after being left at a shelter due to a birth defect.  Tessa was born with an imperforate anus with rectovestibular fistula (if you are interested in adopting Tessa, please Google this to learn more about this condition before contacting us).  In other words, she did not have an appropriate hole from which to poop.  Tessa had surgery to correct this problem on Sept 30, and she has recovered very well.  We won't know if she'll have good control of her bowels until she's older.  Currently, she has some issues with fecal continence.

Tessa is a mix between a cockapoo and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  She is a very friendly, adorable puppy.  She is great with other dogs (lives with a lab, mutt, and cockers), and we're introducing her to new people every day.  She has begun Puppy Kindergarten, and she is learning new skills each week.  She loves playing with toys, chewing on bones, and romping in the yard.  She gives little kisses if she gets close to your nose. Tessa is really learning a lot from her foster brothers. Check out a video of her playing tug of war and then another video of her wrestling! 

Before applying for a puppy, please carefully consider the following issues.  Will someone be home every 3-4 hours to let the puppy outside?  Our general rule of thumb is that if a dog needs to be crated for more than 6 hours/day total, then that dog is the wrong one for the person's lifestyle.  Please consider Puppy Kindergarten classes - it is never too early to start training.  more dogs under the age of 3 years are euthanized for behavior issues than for illness.  Puppies (and dogs) are expensive.  It can cost over $1500 a year to care for a dog (vet check-ups, shots, spay/neuter, heartworm/flea and tick preventatives, food, and other supplies).  We do not adopt puppies more than 1-2 hours outside of the Washington DC area.  It would be great if Tessa would be able to follow up with her surgeon at VCA Gaithersburg if she needs additional procedures in the future.