Please fill out this application if you are interested in adopting Rosemary, the special needs Doberman puppy!

Rosemary is a 2 month old Doberman puppy who came to us at only a week old after suffering a traumatic brain injury by her mother. As she’s grown up we’ve found that she has some cognitive delays.

The best way to describe it? You know the rainbow spinning circle on Apple products or the “buffering” signal when you’re on a Zoom call? It’s like that! She can see and hear, but there appears to be a delay in the processing of information. She’s a bit wobbly and unsure in new environments and may occasionally run into walls at full speed while playing, but in comfortable surroundings, she appears to “map out” the area and is much more coordinated. She can startle easily with loud, unexpected sounds and can get scared or overwhelmed when new dogs approach her too quickly.

In her foster home, she has grown up with large dogs, small dogs, and cats and done well with all – she will initiate play, respond to corrections and keep herself occupied if the other animals ignore her. When meeting new dogs, she does best with several short interactions or having a space where she can collect herself (a crate with an open door). During a trial overnight with a new foster person and new dog, she spent the first hour hiding by her crate making a stank face, and a few hours later, was able to play happily outside near the new dog. We anticipate that within another day or two, she likely would have been playing with the dog! 

Rosemary has not interacted with children. Due to her reaction to new sounds and experiences, we feel that older children that are able to understand her needs would be best.

Potential adopters should be prepared for a special needs dog. Rosemary is adjusting and learning to live with her condition, but she may never be a “normal” girl and we hope to find a family that loves her just the way she is. Quirks and all!

If this sounds like you, please fill out the form at sspca.org/rosemary!