Alice German Shepherd Dog & Husky Mix Boulder, CO

Alice is the sweetest girl, who has the saddest story. She is getting more and more comfortable now every day! At first she didn't have a name... they named her Alice because they didn't want her to die without a name. She had come into a small Texas shelter caked in mud and wreaking of sewage. She had collapsed in a ditch when an officer carried her to his truck. She was brought into the shelter, where they learned she was pregnant. It was 1 in the afternoon when they found Alice pale and cold to the couch in the recovery room. That's when he named her Alice... maybe if she knew when she woke up she was wanted, she would hold on. And hold on she did. For 59 days Alice held on. Day after day she'd lift her head off the floor as she heard the same squeak and clank of the door to her kennel opening and closing when the staff brought her food. Once in the morning, once at night. Her coat still smelling strongly of sewage. Was this really all she had to look forward to? A life curled up on the cold, hard cement.
Alice had given up. She wouldn't lift her head and would tremble as staff passed by. She no longer wagged her tail. She didn't want to leave her kennel. She just laid there, waiting for the sounds of her next meal. It wouldn't matter anyway. She had stopped eating them altogether.
On day 60, the gate opened and, as always, Alice stared straight ahead. There was nothing for her out there, why bother? As her body tensed, waiting for the familiar noise. She paused. Instead, her legs were hoisted out from underneath her as she was carried (like a baby, may I add!) through the shelter. She was placed in a crate in the back of a van. The motor hummed as the shelter grew smaller in the distance.
She couldn't believe it! She was in a real, warm home! A foster home :-)
For a while, things remained the same in foster. The time she spent on the streets and then locked away in the shelter is difficult to be undone. Alice remained terrified for about 2 weeks. Though she was unsure, she got lots of pets, lots of treats, and slowly learned that she was safe.
It took two weeks with very little improvement...until her foster heard a squeak!!! Alice had picked up a toy and carried it to the dog bed. She chewed on it quietly...the foster stood in shock. The foster offered her a treat that she took gingerly.

Alice has been through a lot, but she is the absolute sweetest girl. She is in Colorado now, with a foster. Alice will thrive with an adopter that will treat her with kindness, patience, and lots lots lots of love and tlc. When an adopting family is sensitive to the challenges of change and acclimation for these dog's, the transition is far easier. A home with a very loving and nurturing family that understands that blossoming takes time would be perfect home for Alice. Socialization, pure love and belly rubs is a gift to a dog that is undergoing a life change. Given the time and space, these dogs shine.

We think that Alice would do great in a home with other dogs to help her come out of her shell faster!

Alice is currently heartworm positive, but we have already started her treatment to get rid of it. She is not contagious to anyone or anything, and Farfel's will cover the complete cost of the rest of her treatment!

Alice is a German Sheperd/Husky mix, at just about 2 years old and 50 lbs!
She is up to date on her vaccines, and spayed! She is also potty trained!

The following is info from her foster:

1. Overall behavior - she will not eat, drink, or go to the bathroom if there is a person near her... she likes her space! However she has zero aggression. She is really a little angel. When she is frightened, she just tries to hide or run. She would never bite or attack anyone. I was able to bath her, flush her ears, and trim her nails with no problem. She also lets you poke and prod her, and pick her up and hold her like a little baby :)

2. Bathroom - she is house trained. However, she would not relieve herself for 24 or even 36 hours straight if she is scared. When she could not hold it anymore, she would have an accident inside the house. For her to go potty outside, I have learned that I have to leave her alone by herself (make sure the yard fence is secured). I lead her outside on a leash, then I disappear. Only then will she go relieve herself. Once I figure this out, she is led outside 2-3 times a day. Now, no more accidents. At the beginning, I connected 3 leashes together to make it a long long leash so I can catch her after she has finished potty. Gradually she has learned to come back inside on her own.

3. Eating/drinking - her appetite is sporadic. She sometimes starts eating her breakfast at 11am, other times at 3pm. I have learned to just leave her daily portion out (not freefeed.. but leave the correct portion) and let her decide when to eat. Yesterday, she did not eat or drink for a whole day until 7pm. By 930pm, she emptied her bowl. I leave her food and water bowls next to her bed (her comfort zone) and then leave her alone. That way she can eat or drink when no one is near her.

4. Night time - She actually likes the dog bed and is often seen sleeping with her legs up in the air, like in the pic. So she does know how to relax.

5. Walks - starting about a week ago, I took her along for our twice-a-day walk with my other dog. She is scared, but she seems to get accustomed to it more and more with each outing. She will go with you once you put a leash on her.

Alice is arriving on transport in Boulder on Wednesday 1/6/21. Applications are currently being accepted for our wonderful pup. If interested in this gorgeous, very cuddly/sweet and loving best friend, please fill out an application completely at http://farfels.com/farfels-rescue/adoption-form/ and submit.

**PLEASE NOTE** If you're truly interested in adopting from us, please be sure to fill out our Farfel's Rescue adoption application found at the link above or at farfels.com. Adoption site applications such as Petfinder, Rescueme and Adoptapet don't provide enough information and therefore aren't useful. Our Farfel's application is the only initial tool that we have to determine a great match for this very deserving puppy. We're sorry, but in most cases, we're unable to get back to those that don't submit our Farfel's Rescue adoption application. Thanks very much for choosing rescue.