Kelsey

Kelsey

Requirement: Must be the only dog in the home

My name is Kelsey. I’m 6-years old and I have curly furry ears!

Once I get to know people, I want to be their good friend. I lean in for petting and stay close to their sides. Foster mom describes me as affectionate and very calm. I like being where the people are!

My other likes are tummy and neck rubs, tennis balls, and soft plushy toys. I nuzzle with my stuffy, “Lamb Chop,” and entice people to play tug with my lamb and me. Kongs with peanut butter are delightful!

Going for walks is a super pastime! I’m well behaved when wearing the Freedom, no-pull dog harness. Sometimes I react to big dogs, not small dogs. Foster mom makes sure there’s plenty of distance between other dogs and me while out walking. Tasty treats distract me from what might be concerning me too!

I wish I could have a Forever Family to love and who would love me back. In my first home, two other dogs would gang up on me, and my owners trained me using a prong collar. These scary, sometimes painful things perhaps contributed to my sometimes fearful/reactive behavior. That family gave me away. I came to my second home with a limp. It was discovered that I had a partially torn ACL. Unfortunately, at the same time, my second owner found out she had a broken ankle. She didn’t think she could give me the care I’d need following both our surgeries, so I was surrendered to As Good as Gold.

Thanks to contributors to As Good as Gold, my surgery was completed in April. My recovery has been excellent (I’ve been lucky to have a veterinarian as my foster dad. He and his wife have been supportive in so many ways.) My recovery period will conclude May 19, four weeks post-surgery, so then I’ll be ready for my FOREVER forever home. Foster dad says I’ll still need to take things easy for the first month in my new home.

I’m a pretty smart girl and treat motivated, which have helped foster mom and dad get me on the right track in terms of certain issues like toy and food guarding, having my harness removed, and learning manners like sit-stay, down-stay, off, and leave it.  My forever family will need to continue to gain my trust and work with me on these things, but don’t worry, my foster parents say I’m a quick learner.

As you read, I am sensitive about having my harness removed, especially if it’s being done from behind me. I’m also sensitive about having my rear paws touched; therefore, having my nails trimmed is not my favorite activity!  Foster mom finds it helpful to give me treats when removing my harness. She says the nail trimming requires slow movements and that high-value treats soften the process. Simply leaving the trimming to the trained professionals is an option too.

Foster mom and dad describe me like this: “Kelsey is a gentle, friendly, and wonderful girl who will make a great addition to any family she joins.” I DO love people, and I sure do hope that I can find a family who will give me a peaceful and loving home.