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My basic info
Breed
German Shepherd Dog/Labrador Retriever
Color
Tan/Yellow/Fawn
Age
Adult
Size
Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg) (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Female
Pet ID
–
My details
Needs experienced adopter
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
My story
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Here's what the humans have to say about me:
Written by volunteer Gwen. Suzi spent her first 3 years in a rescue kennel with very little human contact. When I would go walk other dogs in her kennel she would run in circles in her pen, clearly excited to see a person but way too shy to be touched. She and her two litter mates were so scared of people they would pee all over themselves if we cornered them, but not once did they snarl or look aggressive. It just broke my heart to see her conflict in wanting to be loved but just too scared.
During the fall and winter of 2011, I spent some time twice a week just sitting in her pen singing, talking, and tossing treats her way. She would come close but not let me touch her. Finally after several months she let me touch her, and in April 2012, I took her for a leash walk! After that first walk she came around quickly and put on such a show of excitement whenever I came that I had to add her to my walks.
Toward the end of 2012 when the CARE, Inc. kennel location was in transition, I brought her to my house to foster and give her more attention. While she bonded very quickly to me and became quite happy at my home, she didn't see enough people to become adoptable.
She moved to a CARE, Inc. foster kennel in January 2013, where she sees about 6 different volunteers a week. She initiated a shy friendship with the other volunteers and the exposure has been good for her. Suzi is still very shy but bonds quickly despite her fears. She has probably reached the limit of confidence she can gain in the kennel due to lack of individual attention. The only thing that will save Suzi from living her entire life in confinement is adoption into an understanding home with people accustomed to helping shy dogs.
She will need a quiet household with a good fenced yard in order to have a successful adoption, but once she is established in a home I think she will be a loyal and confident pet. When I was fostering her, a friend visited me one day and we took a hike in the woods. Suzi became alarmed at me disappearing from the yard. She took advantage of a hole in the fence and escaped. Instead of using her freedom to run away, she trailed me through the woods and stationed herself protectively at my side until we got home. Imagine how she would be with a real owner?
She has never been indoors except for one brief trial walk into my kitchen on a leash. She was frightened, as she is of any new situation. She could become comfortable indoors with gradual introduction from someone she loves. Suzi is back at CARE, Inc. in its new location. She only gets out of her pen once a week when volunteers come to walk dogs. She deserves better.
Given just a few weeks of attention and love, Suzi could become the dog of your lifetime. She is completely devoted to someone who bonds with her. I wish it could be me, but it wouldn't be fair for me to take her into my already over-dogged life. She needs a home where she is the only dog, or perhaps with one laid-back buddy.
I'm guessing at her German Shepherd/Labrador linage because of her appearance and her personality. One of the most obvious ways I knew she had grown fond of me was when she started picking up a toy or bone and carrying it to the fence whenever I came around. She desperately wanted to give me something, and it was all she had.
Suzi is completely submissive. Other dogs boss her and take advantage of her at mealtime. The few times she was loose with my chickens she didn't chase them, nor did she bother my cat. She was scared of my rowdy grandchildren, but sometimes I am ,too! I think with patient care, she will accept any person or critter that's part of her new household.
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