🐾 *GECKO IS LOOKING FOR A VERY SPECIAL HOME* 🐾

📍 Currently in the Bristol/Bath area

Sometimes an adoption doesn't work out despite everyone doing their very best, and we now need to find beautiful Gecko a home where she can truly feel safe and begin to flourish.

We want to be completely honest about Gecko and what she needs, because the next home needs to be the *right home* for her.

Gecko was dumped at the Animal SOS Sri Lanka sanctuary with her siblings when she was just *one month old*. Born on 30 April 2022, the sanctuary was essentially the only life she had ever known until she travelled to the UK on 22 May this year, aged four. That is an enormous transition for any dog.

Gecko has now been in the UK for around 14 weeks and we have learnt much more about the sort of home she needs. 

❤️ *The lovely Gecko*

Gecko has had a big learning curve in the last 14 weeks, but has made huge strides with living inside a home. She is comfortable with all household noises now, and seems largely unbothered by outside noises. She has mastered the stairs, and learnt how to sleep in her dog bed.

Gecko’s biggest challenge is a *fear of men*. Although this wasn’t apparent when her adopters met her in Sri Lanka, since arriving in the UK, Gecko has been frightened of men (especially her adopter’s husband). When around her adopter’s husband, her fear mainly manifests as barking whenever he moves, pacing, and uncontrolled toileting. She has had a mixed experience with other men, for example strangers such as tradesmen, which has ranged from trembling/barking to being quiet and inquisitive. She has allowed some men who have met her to stroke her/feed her from their hand, but she has never been completely relaxed. Gecko is currently on anti-anxiety medication to try ease her symptoms, but her adopters do not think they have made a big impact with her fear of men.

When no men are around and she feels safe, Gecko is a loving girl and her playful personality is beginning to emerge. ❤️ She loves cuddles with her adopter and other females, and even sleeps in bed with her adopter’s mum. 

Thanks to her experience in the sanctuary, Gecko is also incredibly well socialised with other dogs. She has shown *no aggression towards dogs* and absolutely loves canine company. She particularly enjoys playing chase with a family dog she knows, and settles down for a canine cuddle after a run around.

Due to her fear of men, we feel Gecko would currently be happiest in a *calm female household*, ideally with another friendly, confident dog who could offer her companionship and reassurance.

We would particularly love to hear from someone who has *experience with overseas rescue dogs, very nervous dogs, or dogs who have spent much of their lives in a sanctuary environment*. Gecko needs someone patient who understands that trust cannot be rushed and who is willing to let her progress at her own pace.

Her lead and toilet training are still works in progress. She is improving on the lead every time her adopter takes her out, but she can still be unsure sometimes when she hears a loud noise, or passes people. Gecko has started to wag her tail when she sees her harness, but can still be a little awkward about putting it on. She sits nicely once her harness is on, and allows her adopter to put the lead on. She adores being let off the lead in a secure dog field, and sniffs and zooms around. Her recall in the secure dog field has been excellent, and it is easy to get Gecko back on her lead.

Aside from her fear driven toileting, she is largely toilet trained. She understands when the door is open she can go outside to the toilet, and when it is shut she uses puppy pads. She still makes mistakes, but she has improved ten-fold. 

Gecko also currently finds travelling in the car stressful and can drool excessively or occasionally be sick. It seems if someone sits in the back with her and comforts her, this improves.

None of this is being shared to put people off Gecko. Quite the opposite. We owe it to her to find someone who reads all of this and thinks, *"I understand that kind of dog. I can give her what she needs."*

Gecko has spent almost her entire life in a sanctuary. She doesn't need someone to "fix" her. She needs stability, patience, kindness and a home where she can finally feel completely safe.

We believe there is a wonderful little dog underneath that fear, and we're already beginning to see glimpses of her. 🥰

🐶 Excellent with other dogs

🐶 Playful once comfortable

🐶 Loving with people she trusts

🐶 Enjoys secure dog fields and running

🐶 Good recall in secure areas

🏡 Calm, patient home needed

👩 Female household strongly preferred

🐕 A friendly resident dog could be a real positive

🌍 Overseas rescue/nervous dog experience would be hugely beneficial

If you genuinely feel that you could offer Gecko the calm, understanding and long-term home she needs, please get in touch with *Animal SOS Adoptions*.

Please share. Somewhere out there is Gecko's person. 🐾❤️