Beautiful, changeable Opal came to FBRN as part of the Oklahoma 10. Purchased with private funds out from under would-be exploiters and then turned over to FBRN, these ten former puppy mill dogs came to us without knowledge of housetraining, nutritious food, loving touch or soft, clean beds. Like all of them, Opal has made huge strides in a relatively short period of time. Now she is ready to take the next step into the arms of her forever family.

Opal is visually impaired, with beginning cataracts in both eyes and an untreated, healed-over wound in the other. Like most dogs in millers' care, her injuries were never observed--or if they were noticed, they weren't treated. When Opal arrived in foster care, she was also battling an army of ticks, a nasty yeast infection, and a serious infestation of ear mites. These have all been treated now, and she is healthy other than her cloudy vision.

Opal is a truly gentle soul without a mean bone or cell or single mitochondria in her little body. She is laid-back and likes to chew on her Nylabone and play with her squeaky stuffies. Although she hasn't had any obedience training, she is a doll. One exception to this is her great love for tearing up paper, any paper, all paper she can find laying about Ð what doggie fun!

Joyous paper-tearing parties aside, Opal is very nervous right now and easily frightened by new situations and stimuli. Because of this, she needs a quiet, calm home with very patient and loving parents who are willing to help her overcome the trauma of her previous life in a puppy mill. Her family should have a quiet, fenced back yard so that Opal has a safe place she can go potty without fear of new sights and sounds at first.

Right now, she is about 50% house trained and needs to be taken out on a regular schedule to a familiar, reassuring area. At this point, Opal cannot go for walks around the neighborhood or park, however, her foster mom thinks that as she gains confidence her horizons will broaden. Opal is crate-trained, but she spent the last four years of her life in a cage 24-7 with no human contact, so crating is not ideal for her. In fact, we'd prefer to find her a family where someone is home all day. After what she's been through, she deserves it!

Opal likes children, but is skittish around them. She would be fine with gentle, dog-savvy kids over age 10 or so who can understand that she needs to be handled carefully and that her environment can't be too boisterous. Opal also likes other dogs, however she never really learned how to play, and so she seems to get overstimulated and confused about how to behave. She would probably prefer to be an only dog, however she might also be okay with one other, very laid-back male companion. She hasn't been observed with cats.

Opal's foster mom has this to add:

"Opal has a sweet and gentle spirit about her, and she is working really hard to overcome the horrors of her previous life in a puppy mill. She is still frightened by a lot of things, but she is finally beginning to trust. If we have gone out for a little while, she is so excited to see us when we get home. She does a little spin and wags her whole body. I believe that as her confidence improves Opal will blossom into the best little dog. She is going to make someone a great companion."

If you have the time and patience to adopt this little bud and help her open up into a beautiful, confident frog flower, please fill out an application. Then start shopping for 10 gallon hats - Opal is in Central Texas and absolutely will not be shipped.

Apply for me here!

Opal's Sponsors

The New York Dog Shop
Chris Palomo
Tessa Olsen
Kim Stevens
Hope this helps to buy you a new toy. From Bill & Chuck in DC
Corrin Martinelli
We are making this donation in memory of our Bronco who went to the Rainbow Bridge February 3, 2008. David Berry