Date(s): 3/12/23. Album by Terry. Photos by Terry. 1 - 44 of 44 Total. 2013 Visits.
1 This is Nonie.
2 She is a gentle, affectionate, social cuddly sweetheart.
3 She is between 9 and 12 years old.
4 Nonie currently weighs 23.6 lbs. (as of 5/14/23).
5 She came to rescue in early March as a Super Plus size.
6 Her former owners had shown their love by giving her food... LOTS of it. Per the vet records that came with her, over the past few years she has weighed as much as 42 lbs!
7 Her former owners took care of her as long as they could, but old age eventually took them away. Daddy died and Mommy had to move to a nursing home just a few months later. Fortunately, a family friend made the effort to reach out and get them into rescue.
8 When her care was moved to other hands, her weight loss journey began. In mid March, when she got to her foster home, she weighed 31.9 lbs.
9 With careful diet and regular exercise, Nonie was down to 26.8 lbs. by 4/9/23. Her goal weight is a healthy 18 or 19 lbs. (Note that the pictures in this album are not in chronological order, so most of them show her fatter than she currently is.)
10 Fortunately she is frisky and active. She loves to run around the yard scaring away the birds, investigating the chipmunk holes, and checking out whatever it is that foster dad or foster mom is working on.
11 She also enjoys going for walks. As she builds up stamina we are increasing the distance. Our longest hike so far was about 4-1/4 miles. She was lagging a bit toward the end but we took it slowly and she finished fine. (Then took a nap.)
12 At Rat Terrier Jamboree in mid April, Nonie competed in the racing, Seniors division. She did GREAT and won her heat!
13 But most of all, Nonie loves attention and snuggling.
14 She loves to be loved and to give love in return.
17 They generally get along very well with each other, as long as they are not being competitive for food. (Nonie is the snarkier of the two if there is some disagreement.)
18 They often hang out together but really don't interact directly with each other very much. Nonie would probably do fine as an only dog.
19 When she first got here, Nonie wasn't able to jump up onto the sofa, so the other dogs got the comfy spots.
20 Getting onto the sofa is no longer a problem.
21 Getting on the sofa is the BEST when there is an open lap!
22 It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.
23 Next thing you know.... zzzzzzzzz
24 Nonie came to rescue with a history of elevated liver enzymes. After losing several pounds and being on a daily medication (Denamarin), her levels have come down dramatically and only one is now above normal range. Continuing the weight loss and the Denamarin seems very likely to resolve this issue completely. Secondly, she has a heart murmur that could also possibly be helped by weight loss, but it's quite probable that it will be an long-term issue that requires ongoing monitoring and possibly medications at some point in the future.
25 Finally, Nonie could benefit from a dental cleaning. But since she doesn't have any obvious loose teeth, gum problems, or infection, it is not an urgent issue.
26 She is so attentive! Just looking at her and talking to her makes that little nub tail wag so fast it's a blur.
27 Give her any attention and she is RIGHT THERE ready to accept even more.
28 She will sometimes claim a stuffed toy then carry it with her around the house like her baby. She can get pretty possessive of toys, so those would need to be limited in a new home if there are other dogs around.
29 Keeping two toys simultaneously safe from the other dogs. She will often try to hide them in a closet or other obscure place.
Download MPEG4 30 We also discovered that she can catch balls! Click for a short video.
31 She has very nice house manners, not messing with anything she shouldn't except occasionally laying claim to a lonely sock from the laundry (but she just carries it around and doesn't chew it up) or pulling tissues out of the wastebasket (but only if it is uncovered and low enough for her to easily stick her head in).
32 She is generally pretty quiet but will join in the exuberant greeting when the doorbell rings or someone comes up the front walk.
33 She is reliably house trained and she has learned to use a doggie door. She loves scampering in and out to check out scents or sounds.
34 She enjoys being outside, usually meandering around checking out the scents but sometimes just lying in a patch of sunshine.
35 Nonie has discovered that the doggie door is a great spot to spy on the squirrels and chipmunks, and when one gets close she launches outside and down the deck stairs. She has not actually caught any but she is eternally hopeful.
36 The screen porch is also a great place to keep an eye out for critters.
37 If it's a choice between playing and getting attention, attention always wins out.
38 As of 4/15/23, she was down to 26.5 lbs. and has continued to slowly take off and tone up.
39 She is pretty proud of herself!
40 Nonie is hoping for a new home where she can get LOTS of lap time, plenty of exercise, and perhaps a small, low-key, easygoing dog or two.
