Charlie: ~1 Year Old Female, Black Lab Mix, 50 lbs, Not Spayed.
Background: Charlie and two other dogs (we think they are siblings) were found in a park in Modesto, likely dumped. A good Sam picked them up and took them to her house, but had to keep them in the backyard as she had other dogs inside the home. We have all three dogs in our program. While they are all on the timid side, Charlie is the most skittish out of the three.
What Charlie's Foster Says: Charlie is a small, very shy, sweet girl, still learning how to be part of a family. She is adjusting steadily to life inside our house and being around people. While she initially stayed in her crate all the time except to go outside, she is now comfortable resting on a bed, watching the goings on during the day, and at night sleeping on her bed on the floor in our room. She enjoys lounging in the backyard and looks forward to riding in the car and a walk at the park in the morning, along with an afternoon leash walk around the neighborhood every day.
Charlie knows her name and walks well on leash. Very interested in meeting other dogs, she is timid but very curious. She follows our dog, an 8-year old labrador, and is more confident to try things with him showing her the ropes. With people, she is nervous and not yet able to allow them to approach her. While at home, Charlie is more interested in pets and scratches behind her ears when calm and resting comfortably on her bed. Over time, she is becoming more treat motivated and is following us from room to room. She is not aggressive at all, instead choosing to play keep away or simply freeze if frightened/cornered. Not a barker or a digger, she does enjoy having a bone or horn to chew on occasionally. She likes to run and jump up on things outside, so she might be a good jogging or hiking companion.
She would do well in a quiet home with another dog and also likely to be fine with cats. Seems less nervous around women so far. It will take more time and lots of patience to bring her out of her shell, but she will offer lots of love in return.
What Charlie's Rescue Rep Says: More Progress for Charlie. She started out with a wonderful foster, extremely fearful and shut down, where she was for about 10 days. She hid in the foster's backyard during the day and slept in a crate inside the home at night. We placed Charlie with what was supposed to be a temporary foster while her first foster was on vacation. Charlie ended up taking to the foster's resident dog, Bosun, and he seemed to help her come out of her shell a bit more so Charlie has remained there.
Charlie has learned that human touch is nice, although she is still very scared of her foster dad. She likes her crate and uses it as a safe spot. Charlie does her business in the yard and will run around with Bosun on occasion. Charlie is now walking on a loose leash and tracking the foster, which is a huge change for a dog that was hiding in the backyard. Everything has been new for her. Charlie's making steady progress in her foster home and will need a patient adopter to continue the good work her foster has been doing. Working with a trainer will also be helpful. We think she would thrive in a home with another dog. Charlie is very sweet but very timid.
Medical: Charlie is up to date on core vaccines, heartworm tested (negative), and microchipped. Lab Rescue will coordinate her future spay.
Located In: El Cerrito
