Entered: 02/16/2019
Status: Adopted
Age: 4
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 59 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Springfield, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment completed for UTI and for bacterial skin condition on stomach, treatment for ear infection complete, receiving melatonin twice daily to calm her, receiving an inexpensive anti-anxiety medication, losing to a healthy weight
Temperament: Good with adults, previously lived with several children but was anxious around visitors and a lot of activity, good with senior dog in foster home, ignores cats
Update 03/26/2019: “She is much happier with the world! Now she does not always have that ‘worried’ look.”
Shadow was started on an inexpensive medication to help her anxiety and now she is much happier with the world! Now she does not always have that “worried” look. Her new family will be required to keep her on this medication for a minimum of six months after adoption.
This pretty lady was recently groomed and was wonderful for the entire process. Her skin infection has resolved and she is now ready to move on to a furever home!
Original: “Shadow is always ready for the leash to come out for as many walks as possible. She has learned to go into a quiet sit, no jumping allowed, before the leash is attached for walks…good girl.”
Shadow was brought to a Maryland shelter after her family gave up on her anxiety around visitors. While she lived with a large, active family with numerous children, she would be crated when visitors came in the house. The family was worried that she was too anxious; however, the shelter was told that Shadow never tried to bite. Shadow had been professionally trained inside the home and seems to have retained this training. The first week in foster care provided Shadow with a lot of time for quiet snoozes and frequent walks alongside the resident senior male Springer. Shadow did exhibit anxiety and mild agitation early in the week, so she began taking melatonin, twice a day. This has successfully smoothed over her edginess.
In the shelter, Shadow was quiet and good with the other dogs and the handlers. She did, however, come out of the shelter as a matted mess. Her coat seemed clean but was very unkempt. As soon as she arrived at her foster home, she happily allowed her foster mom to cut out the dreadlocks under her ears and the mats all around her fur. Shadow rewarded her with slobber kisses and wanted constant belly rubs. Clippers were not used, and she wasn’t bathed since Shadow seemed really scared of the bathtub. The following day, she easily allowed nails clipped and hair trimmed around paw pads. A full grooming is in Shadow’s future.
While the Shelter vet provided needed vaccinations and ear infection treatment, it was reported that Shadow previously had bladder crystals. MAESSR’s vet determined with ultrasound that there were no crystals present. Shadow did have a urinary tract infection. Additionally, her stomach had red irritated areas (pyoderma) with minor crusting and her top coat was dry and flaky. Both infections are being treated with an antibiotic. Shadow’s lab work was all within normal ranges, including thyroid testing. At the shelter, Shadow’s weight was 64 pounds; she’s now down to 59 pounds…way to go, Shadow!
Shadow is a perfect house buddy. She is happy to be by her human’s side all the time as a loyal Shadow. She is housetrained and does not yet have a signal but will follow the resident Springer out to the backyard. She likes to sniff around the backyard but does not seem interested in running down squirrels. She totally ignores the resident cat, and she lived peacefully with a cat in her prior home.
Shadow is not eager to use the crate and may associate this with the negative experiences in the prior household. Since she has perfect house manners, Shadow is given free access in the home when her foster mom leaves. After short trips, she will return to find Shadow sitting on the stairs holding a vigil for her return. Shadow has no separation anxiety and will look quietly out the window as the car pulls away. She does try to get out the front door as her foster mom exits, hopeful that she’ll be invited along since she loves car rides.
Shadow does not counter-surf, bother the trash can, or beg at the table; she likes to hang out under the table, perhaps hoping something will appear down there. She recognizes that beds and sofas are not dog places and is happy to rest on a towel or a dog bed. She sleeps soundly through the night on a dog bed alongside the big bed and waits for her foster mom to move before moving herself. Shadow is very satisfied with her dog bed options and especially likes the one in front of the heat source. She will snore away during late morning or mid-afternoon naps.
Shadow is always ready for the leash to come out for as many walks as possible. She has learned to go into a quiet sit, no jumping allowed, before the leash is attached for walks…good girl. While she pulls a bit, she will pace alongside the resident Springer. She and her senior companion will snooze on adjoining dog beds, but neither will engage in active playing. Shadow is not too interested in dog toys. She will retrieve a thrown stuffed toy and will drop the toy at her foster mom’s side. Shadow does not stray into the other dog’s food area, and she allows her foster mom to move the food bowl around while she is eating. Shadow does get really, really excited and demanding if she knows a pizza box is present!
If Shadow ever seems distracted or agitated, her foster mom simply tells her to “sit,” and Shadow immediately complies and offers up a nice “shake.” A few visitors have been over during her first week in foster care, but Shadow was kept on the leash with a very controlled meet and greet. Visitors, who were all adults, were asked to ignore Shadow and all was well. Shadow was definitely wary and ultra-cautious. Her foster mom is working to desensitize her to the door bell and visitors coming in the house. This wariness was also noted during her vet visit as Shadow would peer around the corners before walking down a hallway.
During her first week in foster care, Shadow needed time to decompress from her time in the shelter. She has been transitioning to a quiet household and neighborhood and seems to enjoy this new-found haven. While she previously lived in a very, very busy household, it seems that she is content with a quieter and calmer activity level inside. Outside, Shadow is an avid walker and would easily make a nice jogging companion as she is very agile.
Shadow’s ideal home would be a quieter one as this well-behaved girl seems to enjoy an easier pace in her environment. Does this sound like your household?