Beautiful Betty is one of our very special “handicans” looking for her forever home — and what a character she is.
Betty has a disability affecting her back legs. Following further discussions with our veterinary team, we made the difficult decision to amputate one of her hind legs to relieve her ongoing pain and improve her quality of life.
Betty is now a tri-paw and is recovering well. We are closely monitoring her as she adjusts to life on three legs and assessing how well she manages her mobility.
Please don’t let her disability fool you — Betty is a bright, happy and fun-loving girl who absolutely does not let it hold her back!
During her time with us, Betty has shown herself to be a sweet and friendly girl, but she can also become defensive when she feels uncomfortable or worried.
When Betty first arrived with us, her disability meant that she needed regular handling and had to wear protective boots to help prevent pressure sores developing on her feet. Over time, she became increasingly intolerant of wearing the boots and the repeated handling involved. We believe that pain and discomfort also played a significant role in how she responded, and as a result she began to lose trust and became more suspicious of people when they approached or handled her.
Following the amputation of one of her hind legs, Betty no longer needs to wear the protective boots, which we hope will make things much easier and more comfortable for her. However, handling can still be problematic, particularly if she feels worried, uncomfortable or unsure of what is happening, and she may snap as a way of communicating that she has had enough.
Betty will need a patient and understanding home with someone who is experienced in reading canine body language and can respect her boundaries. Building trust will be important, and she should be given the time and space to develop confidence at her own pace, without being forced into interactions or handling she is uncomfortable with.
Betty also finds veterinary visits extremely stressful and can become very reactive at the vets. She will need an experienced owner who understands this and can work with her slowly and positively to build her confidence around handling and vet visits.
Despite these challenges, Betty has so many wonderful qualities. She loves people, enjoys affection, and has a fantastic personality. She is a playful, cheeky girl who loves being around other dogs and especially enjoys a good game of “bitey face” and rough-and-tumble play. She would benefit from living with a confident dog who enjoys playing and can match her energy.
Betty is a dog who knows her own mind! She enjoys her own space and will need a home that understands and respects her boundaries. She is not suitable to live with cats or children and is looking for an adult-only home.
She is used to living in a home environment, is clean indoors, non-destructive and can be left alone for several hours. She will need a secure garden and a ground-floor property, as she cannot manage stairs.
Betty absolutely loves her food, but care is needed around other dogs at mealtimes as she can display food-guarding behaviours. She will need to be fed separately to ensure she feels comfortable and relaxed.
Betty is a truly special girl who has so much love and fun to give. She doesn’t see herself as different — and neither should you. She simply needs a home that understands her needs, celebrates her personality, and gives her the patience and support to thrive.
If you’re looking for a unique, affectionate and wonderfully quirky companion, Betty could be the perfect match.
