As a positive bonded pair, they provide support and emotional regulation for each other, a play buddy and a nap buddy. Although preferable they are rehomed together, separate adoptions will be considered.
William & Émilie
Are you their forever home?
William (4 yrs) and Emilie (3yrs) are a bonded pair that were cruelly abandoned in a mountain valley in a rural area of Portugal.
Our Story
Abandoned and scared
Abandonment of dogs is a common occurence in Portugal. People drive their dogs to an unfamiliar area, dump them, and drive off. The animals often show previous signs of abuse and/or neglect. William and Émilie were emaciated with ribs showing prominently. William was missing hair on half his body and had an injured leg causing him to limp severely - the cause unknown.
Willy and Émi were very afraid of humans. No one could get closer than roughly 20 meters to the dogs.
Over 8 weeks, using a food drop on our property, trust was established with the dogs and they were caught. The pressure was on as we were moving into hunting season and there was a serious concern the dogs would be shot.
From there, they had a mandatory 15 day quarantine in the municipal shelter and were then spayed and neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
They came home mid November and have been learning how to trust people. They are very smart, loving dogs. They are housetrained, enjoy their walks, playing with each other, napping and cuddling together. Emi is still a bit shy and takes more time with people. William, shy at first, is quick to warm up. He is a huge cuddle monster and loves tummy rubs and sitting in your lap. More information about them is below, including the right forever home for them.
Bonded Pair: Better Together
Cuddly. Sweet. Sprightly. Loyal.
William
Stats: 4 or 5, neutered, vaccinated, pet passport available, housetrained, no noted health issues, leg healed, hair regrown, clean teeth.
Willy is a medium energy dog that enjoys playing, cuddling, being held and petted. William comes when called in the home. He does not have good recall outside at the moment and should not be allowed offleash unless in a fully secured fenced yard. He would do well in a dog park once he adapts to his forever home.
Likes to chew on bones or a plushy. Will chew textiles (e.g. throw pillows, duvet cover) if without a toy, but redirects quickly if given his toy or a bone. Very smart dog, quick learner.
Willy is not hyperactive nor does he display separation anxiety, fear reactivity, nor any destructive behavior.
William loves his walkies, hiking, running, and hopping outside while playing. Willy would benefit from a home with people who enjoy a moderate to high active lifestyle: walks, hiking, running etc. Willy is very scent motivated so could be a good candidate for nose work activities.
A very smart boy, Willy could be trained to run alongside a bicycle with the appropriate dog-safe tether. He may even enjoy swimming or agility training and could definitely learn to play a solid game of fetch. We would have fun at the dog park with safe buddies.
He is good with the cat in our home and other dogs. He is untested with children at this time.
Likes: walkiess, runs, sniffing in the woods, tummy rubs, being held , playing with safe humans and Emi. Being outside in nature, food, chewing on a bone, chew toy, or plushie.
Dislikes: baths, new loud people, aggressive of hyperactive dogs, cars driving past on the road (if they are fast and/or loud, he and Emi sit and cower.)
Sweet. Shy. Playful. Loyal.
Émilie
Stats: spayed, vaccinated, pet passport available, housetrained, no noted health issues, healthy coat and teeth.
Emilie is a medium energy dog.
Likes: sitting anywhere the sunshine hits, walkies, cuddling with Willy, food and treats, playing with her plushie, her blankie. As Emi decompresses, she will enjoy cuddles more.
Sweet. Shy. Playful. Loyal.
Émilie
Stats: spayed, vaccinated, pet passport available, housetrained, no noted health issues, healthy coat and teeth.
Emilie is a medium energy dog.
Likes: sitting anywhere the sunshine hits, walkies, cuddling with Willy, food and treats, playing with her plushie, her blankie. As Emi decompresses, she will enjoy cuddles more.
Forever Family Needs
All suitable homes will be considered, in Portugal and abroad.
As a bonded pair, ideally we can keep Willy and Emi together but we are willing to consider separate adoptions.
Shy yet curious around new people. They are not fear reactive nor demonstrate any form of separation anxiety from humans when left home alone together. They are untested separated.
Both are medium energy dogs requiring appropriate daily exercise and stimulation.
Despite being through so much, they are loving and gentle dogs. Once they trust, they are playful, cuddly, and are excited to go on walkies with you. Although nervous around new people, they are not fear reactive nor demonstrate any form of separation anxiety such as destructive behaviour in the home.
William and Emilie’s forever home understands that, like many rescue dogs that have been abused or neglected, they may need time to decompress and establish trust. Willy and Emi cannot be off leash, for example, until they feel secure with their forever family. Their nervousness and lack of recall makes them a significant flight risk. They will run away out of fear. This will change over time as they settle in. They’ve already been through so much and do not deserve to be put in a situation where they become lost or abandoned ever again. So only forever families that understand and respect that will be considered.
Both dogs benefit from a home with a love of the outdoors and/or being, at minimum, moderately physically active. Like all dogs, they need their daily exercise and stimulation. If you do not have time for a daily walk (minimum 30-40 minutes) or spend your walk on your phone, you are not the right fit for Willy or Emi.
Willy and Emi are not suitable for homes that keep dogs on a chain or in a cage outside 24/7 or in an indoor crate or on the balcony all day while you’re at work (all prevalent in Portugal). These are all forms of animal abuse and neglect.
Yes. However they will only be placed in a home with dogs that are not aggressive or bullies. Emilie and William are quite submissive
Indoor cats, as far as we know -yes. They are currently living with a sterilised male cat. They have displayed hyperarousal around outdoor cats (ears up straight, bodies stiff and wanting to move quickly towards the cat), but have not attacked or growled at any outdoor cat.
They are untested with children. Due to their submissive and overly pleasant nature, they will likely be fine around children that have been tought how to respect animals: no teasing, grabbing, pulling, screaming, etc. Willy and Emi would not do well in an overly loud home where there is a lot of screaming and hyperactivity.
Yes, depending on your location and suitability. Our current network of animal rescuers extends to Canada, UK, Ireland, USA, and Spain. However, we will consider all jurisdictions that have a positive pet culture, good animal welfare laws, good access to veterinary care, and an excellent forever family.
1. Contact us at elissatanit [at] proton.me expressing your interest.
2. We will send you an adoption form you will need to complete.
3. A meet and greet will be arranged for prospective suitable forever families; in person for locals, remote for internatonal.
4. A mandatory home visit is required – in person or virtual depending on if you are local or international.