Lacey wandered our neighborhood for about three weeks before we took her in. Talking with neighbors, many had seen her and said she interacted well with their pets. She was extremely shy (it took three bowls of dog food before she would approach me). Our vet looked her over and said she is in remarkable health for a stray. No malnutrition, ear mites or worms. He believes she had a litter sometime in the last 6-9 months, and that she was probably dumped after the pups were sold.
Sweetheart | Funny-Face | Pretty Girl
Peek-A-Boo!
Foster Situation: My family is me, my wife and two small dogs (~15lbs). We live just outside the Columbia city limits and have a fenced yard, but it is not big enough for her energy. She handles a leash as well as any energetic dog does and enjoys walks. She spends a lot of time outside (as long as it isn't too hot or raining) and handles a yard well. We have a six foot privacy fence, but a four foot gate. While she could easily scale the gate if she chose to, I have never seen her try and she has never escaped. She sleeps inside and is crate trained. We believe she is house broken, but have not had her inside and not crated long enough to be completely sure (she has gone several hours inside without messing. A dog trainer with Columbia Second Chance gave her a basic temperament evaluation and said she is very adoptable. The only concern she voiced is that Lacey shows some anxiety in new situations and she is concerned how Lacey might handle a situation with 2+ other dogs. She is very tolerant of our two small dogs. She will play with our Cairn, though Molly is hesitant of her larger size. Our Westie, Riley, is dog selective and sees any quick movements or sounds from Lacey as aggression which he attempts to correct (jumping on her and a lightly biting the back of her neck). Lacey is very tolerant of his behavior and does not respond in kind.
I think the best living situation for Lacey would be a family with either no other dogs, or one other compatiable dog of the opposite sex, where she can be inside around them most of the time but has some space outdoors to play.
Training: Lacey has no apparent training (though if I say "get in your crate" she will walk into it with little hesitation). We have begun basic training (sit before walking outside, sit before food) and she is catching on much faster than our previous dogs. She has a bad habit of jumping on people (though she will stop if her energy is redirected). She is crate trained and we believe house trained. We are just beginning to train her to wait to walk through doors, wait on food and basic commands (i.e. sit) and she is catching on very quickly.
Playing | More Playing | Tug Play Anyone?
Personality: Incredibly affectionate. She likes playing and food, but desires love and attention before either (even first thing in the morning). She is shy around people in unfamiliar situations, but when someone she knows (i.e. me) is around she is very outgoing and interested in other people. She is also very energetic, which is probably mostly from her age.
Best Attribute: Loves to be around people. Her primary concern is not playing with people. While she loves people she is mostly content to be around them and chew on a toy or sleep. She will be a wonderful and faithful companion for someone or their family.
For more information or to meet Lacey, please contact Andrew. If you prefer, you can fill out the On-Line Application and we will forward it to her caretaker.
Love me please |
