A final day of vacation and then it’s back to the city for me. I don’t want to leave Michigan, it’s my happy place. The air, the terrain, the animals… I’ve seen seven deer, baby turkeys, a few frogs, and of course so many happy dogs. I even made a quick trip to Southwestern Michigan Humane Society and fell in love with a cat named Saint Patrick. Seriously though, I’m close to bringing him home. He’s cat/dog/people/kid/weird uncle friendly. Take a look at him, he’s the snuggliest dude ever and he’s been patiently waiting for his forever home for over a year. Idk why, Saint Patrick is perfect. Please, someone, adopt him.
Anyways! Another Friday and another Rescue Confessions! This week, I’m bringing you Tassha, the sister of last week’s spotlight Cooper. I love Tassha’s story and I have a feeling you will too…
Veronika’s Turn:
Tell us about your rescue! Name, age, breed, species??
Hello, my name is Tassha. Can you believe they thought I was a Shepherd-mix? Really!!?? I mean, look at me… At the time, I was only 47 pounds and not even a year old. They guessed I was more mature than I really was. I gave them a few other challenges right after they adopted me, but I am jumping ahead. Looking at my picture, let’s see if you know what I am.
Most people thought I was a hound for sure, maybe a Greyhound, definitely some Shepherd, maybe Ridgeback, or a Coonhound. Luckily, the DNA test revealed my true nature, a guard dog through and through! 75 pounds of guarding instinct in the form of a Pyredoby: 50% Great Pyrenees and 50% Doberman. Whoever looks at me can see one or the other but never both. I am now 3.5 years old.
Where did you two first meet?
Our first date was at the Anti-Cruelty-Society (“ACS”) in Chicago on “Clear-the-shelters” day. I saw her and knew I wanted HER to be my mom, so I greeted her with such a friendly smile and wag that she could not walk by. That was under my persona of “Louise Arcola”. The shepherd-mix. 47 pounds, 1.5 years old. HA!
Why did you decide to pursue adoption?
Adoption was the only option for my Mom. She had such luck with a prior adoption from ACS and would only want to help a mutt in need of a home rather than support a puppy mill by accident.
How did you know they were “the one” (or two, or three!)?
Well, as I said. I made sure that my “Mom” did not go any further. How did I do that, you ask? Here is some advice for all you guys in a shelter: be friendly (everyone loves a smile ☺), not too overwhelming (being a bit mysterious is adorable, don’t you agree?), and snuggle, snuggle, snuggle. How did I do?
What advice do you have for someone who is deciding whether or not to adopt?
First and foremost, make sure that you have the ability to care for the adoptee for the duration of their life-expectancy. It is not like speed-dating or serial dating, this is a serious decision which requires shelter, food, love, and energy to a companion. Try to find a match for your energy level and personality to enjoy the time spent together without being frustrated or bored. Learn as much as you can about the breed and characteristics to understand and have a better way to communicate. If you are adopting, you might want to consider training within the first few months to train yourself and the adoptee to learn to communicate as it will make the rest of the time so much for enjoyable.
Anything else you’d like to share (favorite dates/stories/lessons learned)?
So, going back to my adoption day. I snuggled with Mom and we bonded. I wrapped my new brother Cooper around my big paw and won Dad’s heart. All papers were signed, and we were ready to walk to my new home. We opened the doors, and YIKES, there was a noisy, crazy world out there. Remember, I was such an easy-going cuddle in that courtyard, but once the city breeze took a hold of my nose, I lost all confidence and I stopped in my tracks. If Dad did not have the amazing strength and stamina to carry me for the most of the way, city-block by city-block, I would not have made it. It took a while, day-by-day for me to explore every new sound, different floors (stairs and elevators, metal and wood) to become comfortable with my new surroundings. Everyone had such patience with me and it paid off. Look at me now, a confident dog, ready for a game of hide and seek:
Tassha’s Turn:
Favorite toy:
Googly – my red squeaky toy, probably the only one that I have not ripped into shreds
Most impressive trick:
My athletic ability, and how I can stretch from a compact roll into such a long dog
Least impressive trick:
My very masculine bark
I will do anything for:
Food, no need to differentiate, I eat it all
Tennis balls or squirrels:
Squirrels for sure. Tennis balls are reserved for Kaya, my “sister” who sends messages from doggy-heaven. She was a true shepherd-mix (Belgian Malinois), also from ACS and we miss her dearly.
My favorite place:
Daycare to get my energy out running with 50 other dogs and then snuggle up with full body contact with Mom
It drives my mom/dad the craziest when…
I fart loudly and without embarrassment in an elevator with all the neighbors.
Likes to dress up? (Prove it!)
A girl-tie – I actually have two, here is my turquoise version:
Well, there you have it. Have a fantastic weekend and see you back here next week for another Rescue Confessions!
xoxo,
Christine