Sophia 
Breed: English Bulldog
Sex: Female
Age: 3 years old
Weight: 41 lbs.
11/3/2018 Update:
Sophia was ADOPTED!!!! Sophia has found “the ones” and is the latest member of the No Borders Bulldog Rescue alumnae club, and we could not be happier.
Sophia (not her original name) joined the NBBR family after a local shelter called and asked if we could help find her a forever home. We are not sure what her original name was, but after reading her story you will understand why we chose a special name for this little girl. Sophia was a healthy and happy little girl with a family including several canine and feline siblings. All was gong well until Sophia woke up to find her family had packed up the house and moved out only to leave her locked in an empty house all alone. According to an extended family member that was able to rescue Sophia, she was in the house for several days. When she was rescued the only thing in the house was a blanket and a stuffed teddy bear. They found Sophia scared, alone and snuggling the teddy bear. Unfortunately, the family member that saved Sophia was unable to keep her and Sophia found herself in a shelter. When Sophia was dropped off at the shelter her intake notes stated she was “very stressed and anxious”. She was so stressed the staff decided to give her a day to relax before they vaccinated her. The one thing that helped Sophia to relax was her teddy bear. Sophia was on the thin side, having skin issues and to make things even worse, it was discovered Sophia was in heat. Based on their findings, the shelter staff decided Sophia needed to be at a breed specific rescue. Sophia then joined a foster family to settle in, through no fault of hers, that foster family decided they were unable to continue to take care of Sophia, so Sophia packed her bags and went to yet another home.
This foster home was the best thing possible for Sophia. While she was scared and had many behaviors that were not ideal, her foster dad began working with her. Putting her on a schedule, showing her that she was loved and allowing her to learn to trust humans again. While her foster Dad had signed up for getting her ready for her new forever family, Sophia had other ideas. The days turned into weeks, weeks into months and months into almost a year. During this time, Sophia blossomed into a completely different Bulldog. She had found her forever home and wormed her way into Dad’s heart, she wasn’t going anywhere. She bonded with not only foster/forever Dad (to an amazing extent), she also won the hearts of her two foster canine brothers. Sophia is the annoying little sister that they never wanted but are VERY protective of. She has really taken to her younger brother, she follows him EVERYWHERE and has to do everything he does (the annoying little sister mode). While her older brother loves her as well, he prefers a more quiet relationship and leaving Sophia’s pestering to be dealt with by her other brother. Sophia is a true testament of what Rescue is all about, while not the easiest at times, with love, patience Sophia went from a scared little girl to a member of a family that she is very protective of, and they of her. She went from being abandoned at a shelter to being the Princess of the family. Congratulation to Dad, brothers and most of all Miss Sophia.
5/28/2018 Update: Hey Friends!
It’s me Sophia… it’s been a while since I have updated you on what’s going on in my life. Time flies and everyone around here has been quite busy including myself. I have heard that some friends have been asking about me and overall I have been doing well, learning to trust humans again. I can’t believe it’s been 7 months since I have arrived in my foster family and FD says that I have made huge progress regarding my overall behavior. I am not as scared and aggressive towards strangers as I used to be, inside the house and on walks. There are still some individuals that I don’t like and I will let them know pretty quick that they shouldn’t come too close… I am also doing better with loud noises but any unusual noise in the house and I will start barking… I need to make sure that everyone knows that I am here to protect them. One thing that drives me crazy is garbage trucks… I don’t understand why they make so much noise and I can hear them coming from a distance… I just want to attack them! My foster brothers and I are getting along well and we have learned to respect each other spaces and we don’t fight over toys. We all eat separately because my older foster brother needs to be alone when he eats but we all get together and sit in the kitchen to get some yummy treats. I am going to confess I have gained some weight since I got here… food is good and treats are even better 😜 but FD says that with summer and the hot weather I am going to have to watch my figure as I won’t be able to exercise as much. I love walks in the neighborhood… every morning FB B and I go for a long walk and I really enjoy sniffing around, seeing people and try to chase squirrels, cats and birds… Yes I love chasing squirrels and birds in the yard and also on the walks… making it a challenge sometime for FD… especially that I have told FB B that he also should be chasing squirrels and cats when we are on walks… I have been doing lots of cool in the past few months and one of them is going to the dog park on Sunday afternoons… I like to run around, meet some other pups and try to find tennis balls… I love tennis balls almost as much as I love treats. Unfortunately with the heat over 100F this week, physical activity is going to be limited and I get bored quickly… I like to chew on my bones and nap but I also enjoy being outside a lot. My FD has been taking me to his office and also for car rides… I LOVE it… luckily I like everyone there and get some nice belly rubs from his coworkers. I can be quite charming when I want to… FD has been working with me to try to make me forget about my past and keeps on telling me that no one will ever abandon me ever again but sometimes it’s hard for me to forget and I get a bit anxious when he leaves the house or he is not around. But trust me I jump high and run around the house carrying a toy when he comes home to show him how much I missed him. I like to keep an eye on him at all time to make sure that what he says is true. He also gives me lots of belly rubs and I like that… you see am the only girl around here so I use my charms to get what I want and I think it’s working well. I get my allergy medication everyday so I have been doing well health wise except for an upset stomach once in a while causing me to have had a few accidents in the house as I wasn’t able to go outside. FD wasn’t too happy but I gave him the sad face and the I am sorry look and all was forgotten (or it seemed to be!) FD has found out that I love pillows and love laying on them… pillows on the sofa, on the bed and the best one is the back pillow of the big armchair in the living room that I have turned into my own personal daytime bed (am including a picture). In the past seven months I have changed a lot and while I am still uncertain and anxious about certain things I know that I have made great progress and it’s somehow easier for me to trust people again. I know am very thankful to FD, NBBR and all the good people who have stepped in after I was abandoned and worked with me to give me a second chance. Until next time… Sophia
11/12/2017 Update: It’s me Sophia, I apologize for being MIA but last week my FD was sick and I had to take care of him and made sure he got better. I have been busy giving extra loving and we spent lots of time cuddling. He told me I really helped him got over this flu bug he caught… I couldn’t be happier as I always try to thank him for taking good care of me and making sure me and my foster brothers are well taken care of. Even when he was sick we never missed a meal, got our treats and except for one day we got our walks. My itching and scratching has returned for the past two days so today FD took me to Dr H and I am on a new allergy prescription that should help me feel better soon. I am keeping my paws crossed as I hate feeling that way. Now it’s my turn to get some rest and have FD give me some extra love. Until next time… xoxo
10/23/2017 Update: This is Sophia… it has been 10 days since I have arrived in my new foster home and I am still adjusting to my new surroundings. I love my room and it makes me safe… that’s where I spend a lot of time when Foster Dad is at work and also when he is home. I like to lay next to him and watch TV or nap… I enjoy being around my humans and when FD is home I like to make sure that I stay close to him. Since I was abandoned I am afraid it might happen again but FD says that I am doing well and I don’t show too many signs of separation anxiety. What I can tell you though is that I am very happy to see him when he gets home from work… I twirl, I jump, I wag my tail, I smile and make sure he knows how I feel. I like to sleep in my room and I have the choice to either sleep on my bed or on the couch but last night there was a storm with thunder and lightening so FD came to check on me and found me awake sitting by the small door gate so he let me sleep with him and foster brother B in his bed. It was nice and I felt very safe knowing that he was next to me. Every morning, after breakfast, foster brother B and I go on a walk but this weekend I got to take extra afternoon walks… FD says that I am doing a little better and I was not pulling so hard on my leash today. What he doesn’t understand is that I smell all those squirrels and I want to hunt them so I go a little crazy! The weather has been cooler so I get to play in the yard and I love running in and out of the house. It has been 5 days since I went to Dr H. and I have stopped feeling itchy and no longer scratch myself. I take my pills like a champion and FD says that I look so much better than when I arrived. One thing that FD has quickly learned about me is that I don’t like loud noises… the garage door going up and down, loud trucks (especially garbage trucks) , fireworks, etc… to the point that I didn’t want to go out the house if we used the garage door but FD is working with me so that I feel less scared but he says it’s going to take time. One thing that I LOVE doing is chewing on my benebone, I also enjoy very much Treat time after dinner… my foster brothers and I sit in the kitchen and wait for those very tasty treats to be handed to us and I can’t get enough of them… I might need to be careful and watch my petite figure. Overall it has been a great week (except for a fight on Sunday with foster brother H over toys… I had been warned that he doesn’t like to share his food or his toys but I had to see it for myself… luckily FD stepped in and separated us with no harm done). Life is a learning experience… it’s now time for me to get my beauty sleep. Till later… xoxo Sophia
10/19/2017 Update: Hello, this is Sophia. Since last Friday I have been staying with a new foster family and I am slowly adjusting to the changes and I think I am liking it. I am a bit shy and scared at first of everything new so I need some time to trust and feel comfortable. For those of you who don’t know me and my story, my family moved and left me alone in the emptied house for days before I was rescued. I was waiting for them to come get me but they never did. Why leaving me behind? Did I do something bad? Did I need medical attention they couldn’t provide me? We will never know why such a cruel act but my new foster dad has been telling me he will make sure that no one will ever hurt me again and that I will be loved for the rest of my life. That’s nice to hear and that makes me want to trust humans again. Now, let’s forget about the past and let me tell you about me and my new foster life. First I am the only girl in the family… I have a foster dad and two foster fur brothers H and B. I can tell it’s a big change for them but we all get along and we are slowly learning about each other. I am a little bit more energy than they are but one thing we love to do as a group is run outside when we hear noises and other dogs barking in the neighborhood… we run through the house to the yard and then we are having a blast barking away like there is no tomorrow. One of my favorite things to do is chasing squirrels with foster brother B and there are A LOT of them in this neighborhood… Foster dad says it’s because there are pecan trees next door… what I know is that B and I will make sure they don’t come in our yard. Every morning after breakfast H goes first on a walk then B and I go together on a walk. I like walking around the neighborhood as there are large sidewalks and lots to smell (and more squirrels to chase!!!). Foster Dad says that I need to learn how to walk a little slower and not pull so much but between you and me I think B can loose a few pounds and he needs to speed up a little bit… this boy needs a good work out and I am here to help! You see B goes to work everyday with foster dad and he doesn’t exercise enough… I get to stay at home with H (he is older and spend most of his days sleeping) but I have my own puppy room. H can get grumpy at times and FD doesn’t want anything to happen to me. He doesn’t think it would but he rather be safe than sorry. H is also a Rescue and he had a rough life before being adopted… I know he is a good fellow but FD wants to take things slowly to avoid issues. I am a very well behaved girl and I have had no accident in the house… FD is very proud of me and that makes me a happy girl. For the past few days I had been scratching myself and been very itchy which I could tell was bothering FD because I could him hear say “Sophia No don’t scratch yourself” but I couldn’t help myself. FD made an appointment and today we went to see Dr H who said that I have a staph infection caused by allergies and he prescribed me some medications to help me feel better (I also got a shot at the clinic for immediate relief of the itching). FD said that I am a bulldog and like B and H I have allergies and that it’s going to be a struggle but he will make sure that I am comfortable and don’t feel itchy. I also got a pedi while I was there (don’t want to scratch the wood floors in my puppy room!) and FD said that I was going to get a medicated bath very soon. You see I am a girl and I like all this pampering… I think FD likes having a girl around and I can be his little Princess. Each time he is close to me and pet me I get on my back and ask for a belly rub which I enjoy very much. In the past few days he has done a lot for me trying his best to make me feel at home and take care of my well being so today for the first time I gave him a kiss when we were in the car driving back from Dr H. I enjoyed the ride and FD said I behaved well and was good company except when I was barking at the garbage truck in the lane next to us… I hate the noise they make and the way they look.. FD said that B is the same way… is that a Bulldog thing? There are so many more things I want to tell you but enough for tonight and I will update you soon on what’s happening with me… xoxo Sophia
9/18/2017 Update: Sophia continues to have great days….you know what would make her day even better??? Her own fur-ever home, her own family to love her. Look at this beauty. How could you not want her. Completely potty trained, lovable, playful and lap dog if you like. Don’t pass the gem up. This is one easy bulldog.
9/11/2017 Update: I do believe that sweet Sophia and stinker Blanca have had a great week. The weather has been awesome bulldog weather for a lot of romping and playing. Sophia is the kindest, sweetest soul you will come across. She is ever so gentle, even when playing and biting. Now don’t get me wrong, she has enough muscle to knock you down, but she is very careful to be gentle. She wrestles with our 5mo old bully and is great, and she gets along with our 3yr old bully just fine. She has this lil noise she makes when she thinks you are not paying attention to her. I love it!!! and will have to get it recorded.
The only problem I have seen is she does cower if you raise your voice to anybody or anything and will take off to a safe place. I have found this out by having to puppies in my house. Anyone looking to adopt…. they will loose out if they don’t look at Sophia, she is a GEM! She is completely potty trained!
8/27/2017 Update: Sweet Sophia she came into our home only a week ago but she came right in like she had been here before, very well house trained, she loves to play with her much younger fur sister we don’t allow a whole lot of play time cause she does still have her spay stitches and we are working on some skin irritations but all of which are healing nicely. she loves to play ball..basketball and tennis ball. we are working on commands she may have not had any in her prior life, but slowly but surely getting back on track. she loves her nyla bone..i also don’t think she had ever had one before. she is eating healthy and has a very good appetite she will soon have her beautiful girlish figure in no time.
8/19/2017 Update: Please welcome Sophia to the No Borders Bulldog Rescue family. Sophia is a 3 year old female English Bulldog that weighs 41 lbs.
Sophia (not her original name) joins the NBBR family after a local shelter called and asked if we could help find her a forever home. We are not sure what her original name was, but after reading her story you will understand why we chose a special name for this little girl. Sophia was a healthy and happy little girl with a family including several canine and feline siblings. All was gong well until Sophia woke up to find her family had packed up the house and moved out only to leave her locked in an empty house all alone. According to an extended family member that was able to rescue Sophia, she was in the house for several days. When she was rescued the only thing in the house was a blanket and a stuffed teddy bear. They found Sophia scared, alone and snuggling the teddy bear. Unfortunately, the family member that saved Sophia was unable to keep her and Sophia found herself in a shelter.
When Sophia was dropped off at the shelter her intake notes stated she was “very stressed and anxious”. She was so stressed the staff decided to give her a day to relax before they vaccinated her. The one thing that helped Sophia to relax was her teddy bear. Sophia is on the thin side and to make things even worse, it was discovered Sophia was in heat. Based on their findings, it was then the shelter staff decided Sophia needed to be at a breed specific rescue.
Sophia is a happy go lucky little girl. She gets along well with other dogs and has never met a human stranger. When she was with our volunteer she quickly warmed up to him and immediately made herself at home in the car. She quickly found her teddy bear and fell asleep. Stay tuned for more information as we learn more about Ms. Sophia as she joins her foster family. One thing is for sure, her teddy bear will be accompanying her wherever she goes. Hopefully, once she learns to trust humans again she won’t need the teddy bear, but if not her motto will be “Have Teddy will travel”.
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