Another Cold Day at the Shelter...

 

Belize hung out with staff member, Jasmin, today.  She loves visiting the off-leash area where she can be free to run around.  When they got too cold, they came inside and hung out in the main lobby for a bit.  Belize was excited to say hello to everyone who walked in the door and was full of kisses for the staff members. 

 

                                            This beautiful girls needs a family of her very own!
                                                                   mckelvey.laura731@gmail.com
                                                                             (770)374-1338

 

Christmas at the Shelter

Belize made new friends at the shelter.  She loved playing with Emmerson.  They played hard and for a long time.  Nothing exhausts this pooch!  There are so many things she wants to do.

She is currently hanging out with me at the front desk.  I had a stocking full of goodies for her.   Don't worry!  Pictures will be posted soon.  She loved her squeaky toys, her pig snout, and her bully stick.  She is also getting professional photgraphs taken today.  It is a big day!

http://www.facebook.com/v/10152371408820177

 

Belize is Now Available for Adoption Through PAWS ATLANTA

Belize is now at the shelter and awaiting adoption.  I wish, so much, that I could have kept her here until a home was found, but my dogs needed a break.  We have had at least one foster dog in the house for the last 13 months.  They did not approve, and no one was getting enough attention.  Belize now has the chance to play with other dogs--something she loves to do and be seen by potential adopters on a regular basis.  I am hoping that she is adopted more quickly now.  I will be there 5-6 days a week with love, treats, and toys to brighten her day.

That being said, it is still a shelter, and I want to get her out of there and into a home ASAP.  It is a very clean facility, the staff is compassionate, and the dogs go out on walks and have play dates throughout the day. However, it is scary to be caged with so many other dogs and not knowing which people might end up being THE people.  It is lonely to sleep alone in a kennel instead of in a warm bed.  Please continue to spread the word that Belize needs a home.  This girl has been through enough.  She deserves love, attention, and a beautiful future.

A New Year is Coming...

2013 is coming upon us with a quickness, and Little Belize still has not found a family to love her.  I am trying, really hard, to get her on the right path and get her into a secure home where she gets enough attention.  Unfortunately, her needs are not met with me.  She is a sweet little peanut, but my dogs do not want to share the love.  I keep her separated from them, and I have to rotate between her and them every day and also work a full-time job.  There is not enough of me to go around.  She is safe with me, but she is not as happy as she should be.  She needs to live with someone who has the room to always have her be a part of the family, who can show her that the world is a wonderful place, who can show her that she is not the only one that can love unconditionally.   She wants to meet lots of people and other dogs.  She needs walks and new experiences.  There must be someone out there ready to strike out on a new adventure with an amazing best friend.  Belize is just waiting for the day to come.  Spread the word!

Working Hard to Be Your Dog

On Thursday, Belize and I went to the East Atlanta Farmer's Market.  There were loud motorcycles, other dogs (some that were friendly and some that were not), lots of people, lots of food, and even a cat that tried to chase us down the street!  It was a little overwhelming.  Belize was searching for friends and comfort, but when someone would reach out to her she would get so excited she would jump on them, lick them, and even gently mouth their hands a little bit.  I realized I had rushed her into this event too quickly.  She had been crated while I was at work, and then I took her straight into a whirlwind of energy and things that spark the senses.  I was glad she loved everyone so much, but I knew she had not mastered the art of greetings.  I took her on a walk around the neighborhood and then circled back.  We sat in a calm area, apart from the festivity, and tried to "settle."  I gave her treats when she seemed to be more relaxed and then I brought her home.

Today, we have been doing training drills on and off throughout the day.  We are working on "leave it" and "off," along with teaching her to sit when she wants attention or is greeting me at the door (refrigerator, wherever).  She is working hard and learning quickly.  She is still a puppy, and she is still so excited to have someone pay attention to her, so you can tell it takes all of her mental power and self-control to do what you ask her to,  but she so badly wants to please (or get a nip of hotdog--we are in the stage of high-value rewards) and so she does it.  I am so impressed and proud of her.  She is going to be a great dog for someone because she will do anything to be with them, impress them, make them laugh, and console them when things get rough.  She likes the treats, but she lives for "good girl" and an ear scratch so we use that as a reward frequently too.

BUT no one wants to work all day so we try to play a lot too!  We did a fun impromptu photo shoot for Stubby's Heros.  They are being kind enough to post us on their Facebook page--what a wonderful group!

Belize is available for adoption.  If you or someone you know might be interested, please have them contact me at mckelvey.laura731@gmail.com

A Snapshot of the Life You Could Have

I made this montage of Belize to show her growth and to show her exuberant spirit that grows and strengthens every day.  She has been through so much and yet she is so loving.  Please watch this video and, if you cannot adopt, share it with your friends.

Belize Navidad!

 Belize had a great Thursday and Friday night.  On Thursday, we started working on our doggie IQ.  She quickly mastered this treat puzzle and so we moved onto the surprisingly more complicated treat cube and tug-a-jug.  I really did not challenge her long before I gave her a stuffed Kong and called it a day.  We will work again in the future!  Can you say spoiled?!

I would like to tell you that she is a genius, and that she got those treats out of that cube all by herself, but I would be lying.  She is so interested in hanging out with me (anyone) that she does not care to focus on a food stuffed cube when I (anyone) am around.  She would rather have my rubs and affection.

I admit it!  I stuffed it with peanut butter.  She was not sure what to think of the sticky stuff at first.  She looked at me, licking her lips, in confusion, but it entertained her when I had to crate her with it later and there was not a lick of peanut butter left this morning.

Tonight, we met with a friend in Oakhurst.  We stopped by Taj Ma Hound to pick up a Boneyard Bag. Belize does not mind getting the "rejected" cookies.  They are equally delicious, and she gets more of them!  Little does she know she will have to share with the other pups.

We took a long walk around Oakhurst before meeting Yvonne for coffee, and then we took another walk to look at Christmas trees.  Belize wanted to say hello to everyone that walked by and seemed very disappointed when people did not reach down to pet her.  She has a particular fondness for children.  Her tail would go a mile a minute the second she spotted one.  She walked fairly well on a leash.  She did not pull at all, but she would gravitate to anyone walking by us, haha.  She could not resist all the friendly faces!  She really was great though.  She was not overly exuberant, but she was happy.  She did not notice all the squirrels rustling around in the leaves and running up and down trees.  She politely sniffed other dogs walking by.  I couldn't be more proud of her and so a rewarded her with this little elf when we got home.

                                                    This little elf did not stand a chance.

                        That is one satisfied customer.  How can you resist that happy dog face?

Belize would love to go home with you!  Contact me at mckelvey.laura731@gmail.com for more details.