Cookie Catahoula Leopard Dog & Labrador Retriever Mix Chiefland, FL

UPDATE: Cookie was returned to us on 4/5/23. She had been re-adopted by her original owner but unfortunately, after several months of trying to make it work,they were unable to. Cookie no longer got along with their cats and was wanting to eat them. Cookie needs a home without cats but she does very well with other dogs. Cookie is a quirky girl. She does have trust issues and can be fear reactive but once you win her over, she is a very loyal and loving dog to people. She has always seemed to do well with children..it is only grown people, and particularly men, that she is leery of. She will require a special type of person who can give her space and patience while she learns that she is safe with you. Cookie does not show well because of this guarded behavior but she is a great dog once she trusts you! She walked right back into our home like she never left so she doesn't forget either.
Cookie was brought to us with 2 small female dachshunds (both adopted). Cookie is believed to be approx 5 years old and a catahoula/lab mix weighing in at 52.2 pounds as of 5/18/21, when she saw the vet and received a clean bill of health and was updated on her yearly vetting. Cookie was originally adopted from a kill shelter by her former owner. She had to give her and the other dogs up because they moved and were only allowed to keep 2 of their pets so they had to make the hard decision of choosing between them. All of the dogs were super scared initially coming into rescue and basically freaked out. (It was a good thing that Cookie was not relinquished back to the shelter as she may have been put down because of her initial behavior).. The dachshunds settled in after about a week but Cookie had jerked the leash out of my husband's hands from fighting so hard to get away that first night and ran around our yard for 2 weeks, not letting us get close enough to catch her.She was THAT scared! Poor Cookie FINALLY started getting closer and closer as she saw that we were safe and that the other dogs trusted us so she decided to give us a chance. I went outside and left my house door open. Cookie came close to me but still hung just out of reach. She then did something I had hoped for..she went inside. My husband closed that door and we had her! Th transformation was instantaneous. Within minutes, she wanted our attention, bu that night, she was coming to us on her own, within a day,we couldn't leave her sight. Now, she looks for us and follows us everywhere. She can go outside off leash without fear of her not coming back in because now she WANTS to be in WITH us! This girl has been thru so much. We were told that her former owner suspected she had been abused prior to her adopting her from the shelter and she certainly behaved like she had a mistrust for people,initially. However, once this girl trusts you, you have a friend for life! She adores children and is great with other dogs..large and small. She has done fantastic in the house with the exception of getting on our table when we leave. Its only when we leave though so I think she is looking for us. She may have a touch of separation anxiety so a home where someone is home most of the time or where she can go with you would be her ideal. She isn't extractive if left alone though and probably if our table wasn't by the window, she wouldn't try to look for us but this girl is smart! She is also quite well behaved. She walks on a leash (we learned that a harness is best for her,especially initially).I really only have great things to say about this girl. If you can get over that initial hurdle of building that bond of trust, you will have a loyal friend for life! She also is a good watchdog and will bark to announce visitors so great dog for a single person or someone who may not feel secure at home.We greatly advise getting her out and about to get her comfortable in new situations and with new people. Its always beneficial to them not to feel stressed in unfamiliar places and with unfamiliar faces. All in all, a great dog who just needs understanding and some space and patience initially. Love and understanding will win this girl over everytime! If interested in giving Cookie her forever home, please submit your interest and your adoption application via email or text ONLY to 352-215-3260 (phone calls will not be answered or returned from this number). Cookie's adoption fee will be $175 to help cover the cost of her vetting and daily care while with us.