Wednesday, April 5, 2006
 Roxie
arrived today in the middle of a thunderstorm and downpour of rain
and hail. Poor girl was soaked by the time she was snug in
her kennel. Her ears and tail were way down as the hail bounced
off her head. She must have wondered what is happening to her!
But, her worries didn't last long. She
is a beautiful Black Lab and Border Collie cross, with a little
white patch on her chest. She is about 40 to 50 pounds, about two
years old, very healthy and current on all vaccinations. Roxie is
heartworm negative and currently on preventive.
She is so happy, full of energy and
tail-wagging-come-see-me attitude that her kennel almost glows. It
is hard to believe that she has been in the shelter since early
February. And she was very lucky to be there! The good folks at
the Amador County Animal Control found her stray and running on a
busy road. She was so glad that someone stopped for her that she
jumped right into the truck. At first, no one cared enough to come
for her. Then some folks stopped by, identified her but said that
they had given her away several months earlier. So, she stayed at
the shelter where she became a favorite of the volunteers. But she
was a little too enthusiastic so no one adopted her. Since our
Daisy found a home, she was chosen by the shelter to come to us
for school and her second chance.
She didn't waste any time make fast
friends with all of us. She loves hanging out with everyone and
being the social butterfly. Everybody is a buddy that she has not
met yet, and she can't wait to climb into your lap. But she is a
little too big for that! Roxie, you're not a Chihuahua! Being a
Lab and Border Collie, she has the best of both breeds. She is all
about the friendliness of a Lab and has the smarts and funny
characteristics of the Border Collie. Her expression as she
snuggles up makes us laugh every time.
She has a great attitude and is just
starting training. Being out with people is her favorite activity
and training just makes it better. Like all dogs, she really shows
her personality when she learns what people expect. When she
doesn't have to worry about doing the wrong thing and learns how
to get our attention she can concentrate on being a little
comedian.
Here she is learning to walk nicely and
what it means when we ask her to heel. When she gets it, the loose
lead shows how together the team is and is the first measure of
readiness to work off leash.
She is trying hard, and has had no
problem understanding what we're teaching.
Oops! But it's only her first day.
Jumping is not allowed, especially when it raining, the field id
muddy and Cal has a clean coat! But Roxie is very smart and will
soon learn.
In about a week or so Roxie will know
how to heel and walk nicely with you on a leash. She will sit and
lie down when you ask, both from the side and front. And she will
know how to auto-sit. That is, she will sit down when you stop
walking. That is important, because when you take her for a walk
into town you should be to be able to concentrate on traffic and
other folks walking rather than the dog. When you approach a
crosswalk or a friend to talk to, she'll sit quietly until you
proceed or invite her to say hello. If she is here long enough, we
will take her on a field trip to practice these skills. Otherwise,
she would be welcome with her new owner in a field trip class.
Did we say that she like to play?
Nothing is better after a training session than a little play time
with Jake the shepherd. Roxie is very social with all the other
dogs and if they are up for it, she'll play until they drop.
Roxie is a very good girl. She has made
it obvious why the folks and volunteers at the shelter liked her
so much. If you are looking for a good happy addition to your
family, please think about Roxie. She's just waiting for someone
to love her. Please drop us a note to
info@twincedark9.com or call (209) 223-3194 if you would like
more information or to come and meet Roxie. She would like that!
Update, Sunday April 9, 2006
Roxie participated in the group classes
this weekend. She had a great time and once she decided that the
other dogs were not just there to play, she did great. She was so
happy to see so many dogs in one place that she was almost beside
herself. But, she learned that good manners is important with dogs
as well as people. Although she has to continue practicing, she is
off to a great start and everyone loved her. And, best of all, she
got along with everyone!
Update, Thursday, April 13, 2006
It is so much fun working with Roxie
that I can't wait to see her in the morning. She is also settling
in and is loving the school routine. Her obedience is going well.
She knows sit and down from the side. We don't teach a specific
stay command, rather it is implied with the others. When we ask
Roxie to sit, she will hold that position until released or we do
something else. She knows how to heel and is learning to keep a
loose lead when on a "free dog" walk.
The best part of her day is when we try
new things. She has lots of hidden talents. The other day we tried
a tracking exercise. Margaret and Ruth had left to take their dogs
for a long walk up the hill and along the canal. About 15 minutes
after they left, I took Roxie and showed her when they started and
she took off nose to the ground. With some encouragement and a
little bit of coaching she followed the trail and found them!
She enjoyed that and now looks forward to more tracking exercises.
That will be lots of fun for her adopted family because she will
be a star in hide and seek. Also, she loves romping over the
agility equipment. Not doubt that is her Border Collie side coming
out, but with training she would be an agility master. She is a
good girl that brightens the day, rain or not! Whomever adopts
Roxie is going to be very lucky, indeed!
The
Amador County Animal
Control Adoption Application is available to be completed on
line and send in if you like to pre-qualify for Daisy.
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Roxie 
Roxie
Happy
little Roxie really got lucky today and left with her new family.
She tried very hard in school and learned, well mostly, not to
jump up on people. That was hard for her because she is just
bursting with happy energy and wanting to meet new people and old
friends. Whether rain or shine, if you needed to he cheered up,
just visit Roxie's kennel. Now she has own family with kids and
another dog to play with. 