Sky German Shepherd Dog & Australian Shepherd Mix Cincinnati, OH

We first met Sky in the fall of 2015, a beautiful pup of just six months who'd been found running as a stray with her brother. This comment from a volunteer at the time sums up the Sky we remember: "She is just an all around happy girl. She plays hard-to-get for about three seconds then dissolves into cuddles. She just can't help herself!” The kind of dog you couldn't help but love, Sky was very popular among volunteers and suitors alike. She arrived at our shelter in October and by Thanksgiving was home with her forever family.

Or so we thought.

Then the couple had their first baby. They reported that Sky had been wonderful with their new daughter, until she started becoming more mobile. During the baby's first month of crawling around, Sky grew increasingly uneasy. No trainer was consulted. Four and a half years after being adopted, Sky found herself back at STAF.

The family reports that Sky (est. birthdate 4/15) is a sweetheart around adults and kids 8-years and up. She absolutely believes she is a lapdog despite her 60 lb frame. She loves being outside, will spend hours in the yard (fenced yard a MUST!) and wants to curl up in bed at night. We can attest firsthand to Sky's sweet, snuggly nature :O) But this lovable shepherd girl needs more than just affection.

It was immediately evident upon her return to our shelter that Sky was not accustomed to being walked. Many walks with many patient volunteers later, her leash manners are much improved. She has also gotten better at passing other dogs calmly. While Sky was fine with the other resident dog in her former home and previously attended doggy daycare, the family reported that she had--under their care--become increasingly choosy about her doggy friends. She may be happiest being the only pet.

She has spent time in foster care, so we can provide lots of firsthand information about house manners, etc. Sky needs a dog-savvy family to help her build confidence and feel safe again ... to serve as a role model in approaching the world with confidence and calm ... to provide her with the love, training and stability she needs to be her best, beautiful self. For keeps this time.

Please visit www.STAF.org for visiting hours, a downloadable application, and additional information.

• All of our animals are spayed/neutered and current on shots.
• We do not do same-day adoptions; we ask that you return for a follow-up visit before taking an animal home.
• You must be 21 years or older to adopt from STAF.
• We require a 4-foot-tall physical fence for homes with children under the age of 11. We also may require a physical fence for specific dogs on a case-by-case basis, depending on each dog’s behavior and exercise needs.
• Due in part to increasing coyote activity/incidents in the area and the difficulty of predicting how a dog will respond to invisible fence training, we can not adopt to homes with invisible fences.
• We do request vet and personal references.
• We can facilitate adoptions within a 75-mile radius of our Cincinnati-based shelter.

Please visit www.STAF.org for visiting hours, a downloadable application, and additional information.