About Birdie

Good afternoon. Please let me tell you about one of the greatest loves of my life; Birdie. My name is Elissa Ochoa. I have this beautiful, perfect coonhound mix. She is also a mix of other retrievers, hounds, guard breeds and shepherds. I rescued her, but she really rescued me. She was just 5.5 weeks old, on Craigslist with photos of her siblings. With the same birthday as my father, August 6. I was seeking a service dog prospect and was keen on making it work. The puppies were being bottle fed due to the mother rejecting them. What was supposed to be a smooth adoption at 8weeks old, changed when the litter caught parvo. I happen to have a vet tech education, so I took her as a pup to lessen the foster's load. I took an 8hr road trip to pick up this tiny little puppy. A kitten collar was too big for her. At the time, we were perfect for each other. We could hike every day, and I was with a family who helped us financially. I could give her everything. And I did. For the first 6 months, we were the best team and god I grew to love her immeasurably. I am a practicing dog trainer, and we would safely and happily go anywhere we wanted for hours and hours. Hiking and training. She was my service dog prospect. My prodigy and project that I was so so proud of. I created what was an almost perfectly behaved puppy. She is so smart, trainable and eager to please. But then I ended up finding out I was pregnant just before I was going to get my IUD placed. Then my father died in March. Then my baby was born at 22 weeks gestation in April. And I had to stay at an extended stay hotel covered by my insurance to be near her. I made sure they let me bring Birdie, and together we waited out the long road of my daughter making it out of the NICU while I grieved. Continuing to train in the city. My baby miraculously made it out of the NICU. We made it. But her dad is my abuser. So..Together, Birdie and I fled a DV situation. I surrendered custody of my daughter to my family. And I fell into deep addiction for two years. Died, even, and came back. And..She was there for me when I was getting sober. Suffering with me. Healing with me. 2 years ago I was in the same position I am now. Having to move out on the streets in the next couple of days. Sobbing, starting to type out messages to find a home for Birdie. I have been sober off of my DOC for 10 months this time that I am facing homelessness. And maybe in a perfect world, we would be perfect road companions. Taking on the world together and hiking seeing beautiful things. Mending each others wounds. But I have serious health issues, she has developed some behavioral issues, and this isn't a perfect world. I have multiple sclerosis, diagnosed in 2018 when I was 21. But I could still manage Birdie as she was a puppy and I'd always had big dogs. And I am a good trainer with people's dogs. At least, I like to say I am, and I try really hard to believe it when people tell me. But I look at Birdie and feel so much shame watching her develop anxiety and depression. After I had my baby, after I was killed by drugs, my physical disabilities continue to worsen. And all this chaos started in her teenager stage, as she got bigger and stronger I got weaker. I also am low income and cannot afford the help of a paid stranger. Our circumstances gave way for her to develop a couple behavioral issues, mainly non aggressive reactivity and leash pulling. I also have a severe mental illness and things are so bad lately with my life. I can hardly get a grasp on my own sanity. She's given me a drive to learn to want to live. Through therapy groups and intensive therapy. I am barely coping. God I wish I could just make my physical disabilities go away or I wish I was rich so I could afford assistance with her training and care. Being a dog trainer, it is cruel of me to understand her language and not try the last thing I can to give her the life she deserves. And I have come to accept that the reality is that I have become much too disabled for a dog like Birdie. So as I fall apart typing this message, I am asking you to please please help us. Please, I love her so much. Name: Birdie Sex: Female Age: 3yrs 10 months Birthday: August 6, 2021 Spayed: No Up to date on vaccines: No Weight: about 60-70lbs Breed: Mixed Potty trained: Yes She has partial service dog training and helps pick things up when you point at them. Here is her Instagram, which also includes her wisdom panel.. I hope to hear from you soon. https://www.instagram.com/birdicus_brainius?igsh=aWU4YzU0enZhYXhx&utm_source=qr Sincerely, Elissa

Kitsap County
Suquamish, Washington