Just a little fun at the park

Today was a SUPER busy day with boarding dogs going home, so our kids got a bit neglected. This evening I decided to take Phoenix over to the play ground to give her a chance to burn off some steam with her favorite DS, Atlas. I am hoping the video will load, because it is just random footage of her having a blast, but I think it also shows her personality and form really well. 

Such a baby doll. 

Post By Phoe

So Mom let me on the computer today because she was too busy to update.

Actually, she was just frustrated because she tried desperately to get pictures of me playing with my newest friend, Atlas. He's a big, strapping boy and he makes a great chaser - I run just fast enough to not be caught. I guess you could say I was playing "Hard to catch" :-)

Maybe I'll pose tonight. Maybe.

Can I Have Some Watermelon?

So Mom...is this cute enough to get me watermelon?

No? OK, what about this?? 

Sucker......it gets her every time.

A Touching Story

I posted this story on the NADSR Facebook page on March 19, 2012. These events totally made my day that day.

Phoenix (NADSR foster in Cookeville, TN) had a fabulous time on our ritual 2 mile walk around the pond at Cane Creek Park. Today was extra special though...
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Since I've been drinking water like it is...well water...Phoenix had to come into the public restroom with me part of the way around the lake. She was good and did a down-stay in the stall.

As we were leaving, a caretaker was wheeling in a mentally and physically handicapped woman. She had difficulty with speech, but she asked if Phoe would bother her. I said no, she was very sweet. Then she asked if she could touch her. I exchanged glances with the caretaker and then let Phoe get close enough that the woman could put her hand on her. Phoe just layed into her hand (usually she tries to roll over :-).

"What's her name?" The woman asked.
"Phoenix" was my reply.
"What?"
"Phoenix"
"Nicky?"
"Ahhhhhh, yes. Nicky"

Then she turned to the caretaker and just started saying "She likes me. Nicky really likes me." Phoenix just calmly laid against her chair and let herself be petted, never even trying to crawl in her lap. It was awesome. The caretaker hugged me, told me that the therapy dogs that used to visit hadn't recently and they were the highlight of the woman's week, and thanked me.

I almost skipped away :-)

Phoe taking advantage of a lake side photo opp that same day.

Just the Facts

Here is a basic fact sheet about Ms. Phoe.

Name:                                  Phoenix

Breed/Type of Animal:          Canine - Dutch Shepherd Mix

Gender of Animal:                Female/ Spayed

Age:                                     Approx 3yrs

Size/Weight:                         Medium - Approx 50lbs

Color:                                  Black Brindle

Up-to-Date On Shots?        Yes - Rabies, Distemper and Kennel Cough (Bordetella)

Has this animal been tested for heartworm?     Yes - and on monthly prevention

Is Phoenix Microchipped?   Yes.

Is your the dog good with the following? 
     □ Dogs - Phoenix can be tough on other dogs. She can run together with non-submissive male dogs. Any          other interaction should be directly supervised. She has never caused harm to another dog, but will try to be dominant.

     □ Cats  - Has lived with 2 cats in foster care for over a year. Phoenix ignores them, though they are never left unsupervised. Greetings with barn cats have resulted in her getting her nose scratched, so she avoids them completely. She has always been on leash for barn cat greetings, therefore she has never been given the opportunity to chase cats outside.

     □ Kids - Phoenix loves children and has regular interactions with 4-H Students ranging from 3rd through 12th grade. She has been trained and handled by a 14 year old. As a young, boisterous, working breed mix, she could get over excited and knock into small children. 

Is Phoenix housebroken?      She is crated at night or when we are away from home. She does not have accidents when supervised and let out every 4-6 hours.

Is Phoenix crate trained?     Yes. Phoenix is very clean in a crate.

Does she know any tricks?    Phoenix has been trained in Basic Obedience, and is a master of getting her belly rubbed.        

When looking for the “perfect home” for Phoenix, what would it be?

Phoenix's ideal home would be one with active people who will indulge her need to bound around outside, and then chill with the family. Boundaries would be set and required, but once settled in, she could be the laid back couch potato that she is. Daily training interaction would be done - even if its just tricks for treats. 

Phoenix can be an escape artist - though she has no desire to go anywhere. An electric containment system is needed, or supervision when out. She does best in a sturdy plastic crate with activities while crated. Phoenix is highly food motivated and loves her stuffed Kong, Busy Buddies, nyla-bones and stuffies.

Home For Phoenix

Home for Phoenix is a blog dedicated to finding a home for a sweet, sweet girl - Phoenix.

Lovingly known as "Phoe," Phoenix is a sweet Dutch Shepherd mix that has been in rescue for a long time. The truth is, she falls into that category of "a lot of dog for the average pet owner" and "clearly not enough drive to work." She is very sensitive to her people, and a sharp word or look will take her right from snarky to sorry. But she will push, and she will try to see what she can get away with.

So in this blog you will see a variety of her tails and pictures over the time she has been in foster home. A complete bio can be found at http://dutchshepherdrescue.org/NADSRdogs.html, along with a video. Other dogs that are available through NADSR are also posted. Potential adopters must fill out a Pre-Adoption Application at http://dutchshepherdrescue.org/preadoptform_region1.html and communicate with Trudy Donais, the CEO of the North American Dutch Shepherd Rescue (the only 501(c)3 dedicated to re-homing and rehabing this amazing breed).

Please share Phoe's story and help us find her the perfect home! I know it is out there. In fact I am sure there are many homes in which she would be very happy, and make others very happy as well.