Sandy

Sandy, 6-years old

I’m ready for my very own family!

Foster mom and I worked together on my basic list of needs, and here it is:

• mentor dog
• fenced yard
• quiet routine home with adults—seniors would be great
• someone at home most of the time (I can be left for 2-4 hours with treats, music, etc.)
• limited interaction with children under 12 years of age
• I think cats might be okay. I have seen them during walks and know how to approach them slowly.

This will be my first and forever family! Being with my foster mom and her family has allowed me to have a better understanding of this next phase of my life. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do at first. That’s why a mentor dog is so important. I watch my furry foster sibling, Rex, very carefully. I’ve learned it’s okay to be in the house, to take food from a bowl, that it’s okay to lie on the floor inside, and especially okay to use the outdoor bathroom!

Foster mom thinks that one funny thing I learned was how to chase my tail! Her dog, Rex, taught me! Foster mom says, “It’s hilarious!” She saw that I was so excited I smiled and kept doing it! Fun times!

Being outdoors, especially in this cool fall weather, is amazing! I’m not too excited about coming back in when foster mom says it’s time, though I’ll come in eventually. Walking is beginning to gain my interest! Initially I stood back when foster mom said it was walk time. But now I often head directly to the front door to have my harness hooked up, and I’ll walk further too!

Being near people has gotten easier for me. Some months ago, when I first came to live with my foster family, I tried to avoid walking near them. Now, I don’t worry about that quite as much. I even indicate my need to go outside now on my own—not always depending on Rex! I’m leery of adults who visit, but when they come to the door now, foster mom says calmly, “Oh, Sandy, we have company!”  She repeats it a couple of times, and so now I’m beginning to understand the concept. I might bark initially, but then I’m thinkin’, Oh, they’re talking to me, and petting me—I guess this is okay!

Being around young children often makes me anxious. I’m simply not used to the noises and quick movements they seem to make. Foster mom thinks I’m getting better with this age group, and I do permit them to touch me on occasion, but still, a home with little children will likely not be the best situation.

Foster mom’s gentle instruction and kindness help to ease my tension, anti-anxiety medication also helps.  I feel I’m coming out of my shell more each day.

During the evenings I’ll lie in my open-doored crate or outside of it while everyone watches TV. Initially, I didn’t want to be so near everyone. I’ve been slowly approaching foster mom and her family for petting too—that’s new since I’ve been here!  Foster mom can now walk near me when I eat too. I used to get anxious about that and wouldn’t eat. One of my favorite discoveries in this new world is bones filled with peanut butter! Now this is a taste sensation!

Please let me now if you think I’d be just the right young lady for your family!