Don’t let Esmeralda SunPower’s “resting grumpy face” fool you; this is an “outgoing” french bulldog looking for love.
The dog is currently up for adoption through Roadogs Rescue in Southern California. But the French Bulldog’s journey to find a forever home began in Fort Worth, Texas.
“Little Esmeralda was found abandoned in a box in a park in Fort Worth, Texas,” Nikki Carvey, founder of Roadogs Rescue, told PEOPLE.
A good Samaritan found the Frenchman and brought the dog to the Humane Society of North Texas. The Texas shelter quickly noticed that Esmeralda had “severe congenital spinal problems,” according to Carvey, and contacted Roadogs Rescue for help.
Esmeralda SunPower French Bulldog.
Roaddogs Rescue
Roadogs Rescue is dedicated to rescuing “underdogs,” explains Carvey. These are pets that are “old, medically fragile and disabled”. The California Rescue Service has experience working with dogs with spinal problems and were happy to arrange for someone to fly to California from Texas with a French Bulldog.
When Esmeralda arrived, Roadogs Rescue assessed the dog’s needs.
“Esmeralda is a Hot Mess Express, as one vet put it. She was born with serious congenital spinal problems — probably because someone was trying to breed a mini Frenchie — but instead they got one with an elevated spine,” Carvey says of the dog’s physical condition. “There’s really nothing that can be done surgically to fix it, so we’re going to try supportive care like physical therapy.”
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According to the founder of the rescue organization, the French bulldog can’t climb stairs and tires faster than some pets because of the crab walk it uses to get around, but those are the dog’s only limitations, especially since Esmeralda has such a “spitfire” attitude.
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Esmeralda SunPower French Bulldog sitting on the grass.
Roaddogs Rescue
“Esmeralda is one of those dogs who smiles through it all and takes it all,” says Carvey, adding: “She loves love and wants to be wherever she’s going. She’s typical French, so she can be quite commanding and I think she big and main.”
The dog currently lives with a foster family, but is looking for a forever home to manage.
“The ideal home would be someone who has French experience, especially with a dog that has had mobility issues,” explains Carvey. “Someone who works from home so he can spend a lot of time with her and has the funds for physical therapy if needed. I think she would enjoy getting out and walking in a stroller, too.”
In return, the adopter will get the company of a “happy and open” dog who is also “funny”.
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Esmeralda SunPower French Bulldog on the beach.
Roaddogs Rescue
“A dog like Esmeralda will give you so much more than you could ever imagine,” says Carvey.
The founder of Roadogs Rescue hopes that Esmerdel will inspire many animal lovers to consider adopting a pet with special needs, whether it’s this Frenchie or another animal.
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“We take in complicated dogs like Esmeralda because we believe they deserve the best lives, too. Some people look at dogs who are different, old or have health problems — and judge them as ‘not worth it’.” But we believe that these dogs reflect who we are as humans and that we should help the most vulnerable and sensitive. Likewise, you never know what others bring into the world,” says Carvey.
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Esmeralda SunPower, a French bulldog shows off her “resting grumpy face.”
Roaddogs Rescue
He adds about Esmeralda: “She reminds us to live each day in joy and acceptance and not to put limits on ourselves. She reminds us not to judge and to be open.”
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Those interested in adopting Esmeralda should contact Roadogs Rescue. Those who are not in a place to welcome a new pet can still support lifesaving by donating or volunteering.
“Finding people to adopt therapy dogs is getting harder and harder, which means that dogs like Esmeralda are the first to be passed over because they require extra care. If you want to help dogs like Esmeralda, get involved: adopt, adopt or donate. We spend about $70,000 a month just on vet bills. We can’t save lives without ongoing support,” Carvey says.
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Source: HIS Education