Other Info :
Napoli is a very special girl, one who was not expected to make it to where she is today. When Napoli first came into the rescue, she was suffering from severe neurological issues, and everyday activities were a struggle for her. After seeing a neurologist and having an MRI, Napoli was diagnosed with chiari malformation, hydrocephalus, and a diminished amount of brain matter. Basically, the base of her skull is deformed and puts pressure on her spinal chord, causing clumsiness and shifts in her equilibrium. The valleys in her brain are extra deep and wide, and the hydrocephalus is her body simply filling the empty spaces. After watching Napoli for many months and seeing her grow and change, we have determined that it is not a degenerative disorder, it will not shorten her lifespan, and she should have no further issues from her disorder. She was simply born a very special girl!
It is truly a miracle that Napoli is as healthy and functional as she is today. We never dreamed that she would overcome so many obstacles and virtually outgrow the difficulties that she came to us with. Napoli is much smaller than the average Boxer and will always be a tiny girl because her brain issues stunted her growth. She will always be a little clumsy and is a bit delayed developmentally. She's mastered sit, down, is crate trained, and rings the bell to go potty! The main issue that Napoli still has and may have for the rest of her life is vomiting, as her equilibrium still shifts from time to time and makes her nauseous. After a barium study and observing her, it's been determined that there are no medical reasons for her vomiting other than her brain disorder. It may be once a day, more, or some days not at all, but her forever family needs to be prepared for regular clean-ups. If you can over-look her quirks and aren't afraid of the occasional mess, then Napoli is no different than any other bouncy, happy, goofy Boxer girl!
Napoli loves toys, especially those that squeak, and will entertain herself for hours. She lives with a Boxer brother and Boston Terrier sister, and she gets along famously with them! Napoli absolutely needs a big brother in her forever home as she looks to the other dogs for guidance, comfort, and confidence. She's got lots of Boxer energy and really needs a brother that can match her play style and energy level. Napoli loves meeting new dogs and people, so dog parks and daycare would be a blast for her. She's everyone's best friend and has never met a stranger!
Napoli has two skin kids in her foster home as well, a 3 year old and 1 year old that she adores. She's been here since she was 8 weeks old and grew up with the boys, so she's wonderful with them. She would love some skin kids in her new home, or at least the opportunity to be around them frequently. Napoli has been around cats as well and is good with them as long as they can put up with her puppy antics and let her play with them.
While Napoli is potty trained, she has a hard time holding it in her crate for more than 6 hours. We feel it would be best for her to have a stay at home parent, or at least someone who will be home a good chunk of the day. It's what Napoli is used to, so her neurologist recommends that we keep things as close to her routine as possible. We have seen her thrive in this kind of environment and only want to see her continue to improve! She is also a very vocal girl who likes to patrol her yard and alert those around her when something just isn't right, so an apartment isn't an ideal setting for her. Napoli loves to run and play in the backyard as well as sun herself in the afternoons, so she would love to have a home with a yard.
Napoli is the most incredible dog I have ever come in contact with, she touches everyone she meets and makes you a better person because of it. You can't help but love her huge underbite, tongue that almost always sticks out, and how she insists on being carried like a baby to bed every night. Napoli should not be here today. She is a miracle baby that defied all the odds and has somehow made it out the other side of her disorder. She deserves the best and we intend to find that for her. :)
If you aren't able to adopt at this time, please consider making a much needed, tax-deductible donation to Legacy Boxer Rescue by clicking here.
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