Sally Australian Cattle Dog / Blue Heeler Virginville, PA

TO CONTACT THE FOSTER HOME, email safecat2014@yahoo.com. DO NOT use the Petfinder form. Inquiries don't reach us.

We undoubtedly have a ton of cute pics of Sally but this particular one embodies all things Sally and her place in this big world.

You can definitely see the gentle softness in her face & eyes. But on the flip side you can see the distance, the hesitation and fear of what is in front of and around her. The photo shows how close and yet just out of reach, on the verge of a breakthrough our little Sally is... We feel the world and contact with people in the big world is all new and overwhelming to her.

We made up a story of Sally’s life before ACDRA changed it forever. We made it up based on Sally’s quirky and weird response to things. Things like turning on the water, her food being made and presented to her, her potty habits and her pacing behavior.
Our story for her is maybe one of a kenneled/breeder dog. Her only experience being the confines of a kennel. Possibly a breeder dog that wouldn’t produce. She was not fixed but also did not appear to have ever had a litter at ~ 5 years old. It may have been her inability to produce puppies that got her cast out into the big bad world?! When you turn on water she takes flight, pacing the area like you are about to hose her down! Open the food bin and you see signs of excitement, a recognizable event in her life. Maybe the only thing she looked forward to? But when you bring her the food she backs into the far corner of her crate and will not approach her food until you leave the room and close the door.

When she first arrived she pancaked when leashed, had to be carried outside as she acted like you would never let her back in. She has faithfully used a pee pad by the door and never messes her crate area. She is finally trusting the outside for potty after 3 weeks and the presence of other dogs outside with her.

Regardless of her story, we know it wasn’t great and it has left her being scared and overwhelmed but somehow as gentle as can be... Fear is a driving factor but never snapping or aggression under any situation she has been put in thus far.

What is it that we want for Sally? We want a home with another dog(s). The resident dog(s) should be confident, playful but not dominant or pushy. She loves the company of dogs and is so much more open to us when she is with our dogs. Nudging us for pets and giving tail wags! A secure fenced in yard as she is a flight risk right now. We are hoping for someone who has the time to devote to bonding with her and working with her. There is no doubt she will bond with her person or people once she learns to trust. We do fear the longer she stays in foster that this will happen and she will need to start all over when adopted.
Sally has a crate that is open all the time but she is gated into two rooms while we are at work. She does well, is never destructive but has been caught on the cameras pacing the room perimeters like a trapped animal intermittently when home alone.
We don’t think Sally would thrive in a home with children simply due to the excessive noise, activity etc. that children bring to the equation.

Do you want a sweet, soulful little project? Do you crave a dog that will bond with you so deeply it will take term Velcro dog to a whole new level... then Sally is for you!
Sally is a little thing at just under 30 pounds is UTD on vaccinations, was just spayed and is microchipped and on flea, tick and heartworm prevention. She has been great with other dogs and even introduced to the tiniest of kittens with no negative behaviors. We have ducks/chickens etc and she has showed no interest. Sally is being fostered in Virginville, PA.

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http://www.acdra.org/adoption-application