- Breed: Labrador/Pitbull/Boxer
- Gender: Female, spayed
- Age: 3 year old
- Size: 70 pounds
- Good with…
- Dogs? Probably! With the right dog!
- Cats? Probably! See more info in Cohabitation section.
- Kids? Yes, 12+!
Hi! My name is Quiche Lorraine, and I LOVE LIFE!!!
History:
I was adopted from a local SPCA in early May 2025. All that is known is that I showed up as stray, was adopted by a family who had several other dogs, and then was surrendered back to SPCA with no reason given. Then I got adopted by my current moms, and things have been much better for me! They have helped me start to trust humans, and feel safe with them, and they have introduced me to how fun life can be. I am very grateful. It turns out that their life situation isn’t going to be a fit for me long-term, but they are committed to finding me a truly well-matched, awesome forever home soon. I will of course be sad to leave them, but am also very excited to find the more ideally-suited people and situation for me!
Personality:
Once I know you, I’m a super lovey-dovey girl and an Olympic-level cuddler/snuggler, I LOVE lounging all over you! Basically, I’m a 65-pound lap dog. You can move over and make loads of space for me next to you, and I’m still aiming right for your lap! I am also a head leaner…I love leaning my head on anything nearby–your lap, chest, arm, the side of my bed, the arm rest, even your laptop! I don’t quite get this “personal space” thing, but I’m learning that when you say “Goodnight!” it’s time for me to curl up in my own bed. Which of course is near to your bed. I just really, really love being close to my people.
I’m a super curious girl—one of my nicknames is “Nosey Rosie” because I am fascinated to know everything about everything! If you’re doing something, I’ll be there watching, or sniffing, or trying to help you with it in my doggy way.
I’m food-motivated and smart, which means I learn quickly when I’m set up for success. I know how to “Sit” (especially at crosswalks!) and “Down,” and I’m working hard on “Look!” (at you) when we are out on walks. “Touch!” (your hand) gets me so excited I can get a little mouthy with excitement, but am learning how to manage that energy with gentle guidance from my moms. I respond best to positive reinforcement (treats!) and patience.
Want to know my favorite things in the world? Snuggling (obviously)!! And snack time! Dog cookies…of course! But…celery, carrots, peanut butter, and bananas? Yes, please! I also deeply love toys that squeak, crunch, or give me something to gnaw on.
There are also some things that I don’t like. 1) Being left home alone. Not a fan. It makes me nervous and sad, and I will need your help getting more comfortable with you being gone. I don’t destroy anything in the house (one reason why I do NOT need to be crated), but I’m scared and occasionally have an accident or chew up one of my own toys; 2) Crates are a hard no for me. They panic me and I will squeeze my way out, which is DANGEROUS. That’s how some dogs accidentally strangle themselves, I cannot be in a home where crating is required. 3) I get a little spooked by sudden movements or by people walking behind me without warning, which is why being around kids would be stressful for me/not a good fit. 4) My current moms think that I don’t like squirrels and rabbits, because I bark at them so much, but truth be told, it’s really fun to yell at them, haha!
Regarding me and dogs…
I either did not get much dog-dog socialization in the past, or the dog-dog interactions I had left me scared because I’m nervous/excitable when I see other dogs. I bark at them a lot and need space between us when out on walks. I have had very few dog-dog meetings since being adopted to my current home, but I’m open to the idea in some safer situations. One time when we were getting ready for a walk, our neighbor came by with their foster dog who looked a lot like me. Our interaction was short, but nothing bad happened, in fact, it looked like we might be trying to figure out how to play. More recently, I’ve made good strides during group play at what my parents call “camp” (Bed and Biscuit Kennel) and have been pictured playing my heart out and also getting really snuggly with another dog! Maybe making friends isn’t so hard!
I am a profound sniffer of things, and can get so focused on all of the scents that I don’t notice that other dogs are coming near and then feel like they have snuck up on me, which scares me! So please keep an eye out and steer me away from oncoming dogs to prevent this kind of fright.
I’ve recently started taking medicine to help me manage my nervousness and big feelings while on leash. With a daily dose of puppy Prozac, my confidence both at home and in new situations is building. My parents and vet agree that sticking to my daily medicine is a good plan for the foreseeable future as I learn more about how to live comfortably and without fear.
Regarding me and people…
As you surely gather from all of the above, I LOVE people once I get to know them. With new people, sometimes I am fine right off the bat, but other times I am nervous (and barky) for a while. I never growl or snap or anything like that, but I can bark a lot when I feel nervous or unsure of a person or a group of people. I also can get overstimulated simply by being around too many people at once, especially if the visit lasts for more than a brief period. Help me ease in and out of social situations by keeping things positive, short, and sweet. Too many people, too much fanfare, or too long of a visit can leave me stressed out!
Cohabitation:
Adult humans:
Love you once I know you. Until then, let’s meet outside, and maybe just 1 person at a time!
Children:
Since I don’t like loud noises or to be startled, and I get overstimulated by too much activity and energy, I should not be around younger kids. Kids 12 and older would probably be fine, especially if they are the calmer, gentler types who love to be lounged on and snuggled.
Cats:
I am currently living with a cat. My moms usually keep us in separate parts of the house, but we’ve napped in the same room without issue and one or two times (before my moms realized that crating was not safe for me), I broke out of my crate and when they came home, we were both in the same room together and fine. If your cat is dog-savvy, we could meet and see what you think!
Dogs:
As detailed above, I need help gaining comfort (and maybe social skills) with dogs, and we need to do this mindfully and knowledgeably. Since I have some separation anxiety, living with a confident, playful and friendly dog might be great if we could become friends!
Why I am looking for a new home:
My current home is in a busy downtown area, which is stressful for me. Too much stimulation, too many dogs everywhere when we leave the house, too much hustle-bustle! And our moms, who are in their early 30s, are planning to start a family soon. They know that I am stressed by our home location and would be stressed sharing a home with a baby and they have come to the painful conclusion that they are sadly not the right fit for my needs. I like calm, stable, and predictable, and that is not what they can offer me.
Medical
I am in great health! I probably have some allergies/sensitive skin, I occasionally scratch or chew on myself, and when my mom gave me Apoquel and an allergy supplement, it improved.
Summary
[From her current moms]Quiche Lorraine is SUCH a deeply good girl, and it breaks our heart to realize we’re not her perfect match. She had a tough start in life, but she’s resilient, affectionate, and utterly full of love. She would thrive in a home that is stable and on the calmer side (but still up for fun!), and with an experienced, patient adopter or family who can truly invest in her success. She needs some daily outdoor exercise (but nothing excessive) and is happy to nap, chew on a bone, and lounge around with you (haha…ON you!) when inside. With the right person who understands her quirks and can help her with her fears with kindness and understanding, she will be your most loyal, loving and wonderful companion ever.
If you are interested in adopting me, please fill out an online adoption application and live close to Ithaca, Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, or Elmira. We do home visits on every applicant, and can’t do home visits where we don’t have local volunteers.
