Carrie Fisher is a 5 year old breeder release, and since coming into rescue, is learning what life is like as a pet. When Carrie came in to BPSBR in January, she had pyometra, entropion in both eyes, a mass on her back right leg, a mass on her right shoulder, 2 mammary masses and a severe bacterial and fungal skin infection. After 2 surgeries and regular medicated baths, this girl is all fixed up! Carrie does have environmental allergies and will need medicated baths regularly for the rest of her life. In peak allergy season, this could be as often as every 3 days, but could be as far apart as weekly. These medicated baths are necessary for her. She is also on allergy meds, which she will also need to remain on for the rest of her life. She occasionally will get a rash on her belly, and a 25 mg Benadryl clears it right up! She is prone to interdigital cysts, and might need her paw/s soaked in epsom salts if she gets one. She is such a good girl for this, I think she loves the cuddle time!
Carrie is also on a joint supplement called Glycoflex3, which she needs to continue for life. It is common for confined puppy mill dogs to have joint issues, and the joint supplement keeps Carrie comfortable and doing stairs! Carrie has an issue breaking down protein while digesting her food. We had issues maintaining her weight, and took her to see an internist at Cornell University. She must remain on a pancreatic enzyme for life to help break down protein and absorb her food properly. She is also on a raw diet (Stella & Chewy's). She can not have kibble. Another option will be home cooking for her if her forever family chooses to consult with a nutritionist. Her raw food is easily available at most Pet Supplies Plus.
Carrie Fisher lives in her foster home with all female dogs- 3 English Bulldogs and 2 French Bulldogs. She gets along with all 5 most of the time, but they are “professional” foster sisters! Carrie can be bossy with her sisters and likes to be the "fun police". Like many mill dogs, Carrie is scared when someone comes up behind her and startles her- people or pets. Carrie is not food/toy aggressive, but can be demanding with attention from her people and not want to share. The ideal situation for her would be an only dog, but we will accept applications for multi-dog homes with mill dog experience. She will not do well with puppies or energetic dogs.
Carrie is very good when meeting toddlers and children, but will not be placed in a home with younger children. Any children in the home need to be dog savvy and understand that you cannot come up from behind and scare her, a common mill dog fear. She also needs a calm, quiet home, so preference will be given to homes with routine and no children. Carrie does not do well with commotion and gets very scared.
Carrie is as housebroken as a mill momma can get- IF you keep her on a routine! If she eats and goes out the same time daily, she will not have accidents. Any changes in her routine, and she usually will have an accident. She cannot go longer than 5 hours without a potty break. We find the trick to helping her stick to a schedule is confining her to one room while away. In her foster home, she is baby gated in her foster mom’s sewing room. She likes to watch Harry Potter or Star Wars while her foster mom goes to work, take naps and chew on Benebones!
Carrie loves going for car rides, especially if it involves a timbit from Tim Horton’s! She is a great travel companion and was such a good girl for her recent trip to the 1,000 Islands. Great on the car ride, great in the hotel and even enjoyed her walks along the water! She is still learning walking on a leash, but did great following behind her foster sister as an example. She loves chewing on her peanut butter or bacon benebones, but would definitely prefer to be next to her person getting scratches, cuddles or giving you a few kisses. In her foster home, she is called the little “tap dancer”- she gets extremely excited when her foster mom or dad get home and hops and dances to say hello!
Carrie does have some needs, but not outrageous for a bulldog, or a mill momma. If you think you have the time Carrie needs to dedicate to her and her care, apply for her now! Keep in mind that you will have to have the time to give her regular medicated baths and keep her on the same diet she is on now. We have struggled with her weight for months and she is finally at a healthy 33 lbs! If you have any questions or concerns, please ask prior to applying for her.