Just when I'd almost given up hope there was any 'play' in ChaCha, she started enjoying tug-of-war and chase games with both resident dogs and recently started showing interest in stuffed toys. She is not into rough-housing though, and will end the playtime if the other dogs get too frisky.
ChaCha is interested in humans of all ages and will seek attention from those who are calmer and quieter. She spent an afternoon with 2- and 5-yr old kids and was very gentle and enjoyed being close to them.
She is relaxed in her foster home now, but still fearful in new environments. We continue to take her on car rides, go for walks and visit new places with one of the resident dogs along for support and each outing goes a little better.
She's happy, wiggly and loving with her humans. She walks nicely on leash and has learned to 'sit' for food, going outside and to be petted and is now working on 'wait'.
With these recent breakthroughs I'm feeling really confident that with kind, soft-spoken humans and a confident companion dog she will continue to make someone a playful, well-adjusted companion.
Update from foster 3/12/14 Cha Cha is house and crate trained. She's a sweet, loving, gentle dog that enjoys snuggling and hanging out with her people. Although cautious with strangers, she warms up quickly. She ignores the resident cat and dogs, but takes cues from them about how to live in a home. Cha Cha will need a quieter household and gentle people who will calmly and patiently introduce her to the world as she is easily frightened by loud noises, new places and even changes in her environment. She would be ok with children who were a little older - very young kids might be a little overwhelming for her. A confident, quiet dog will help her adjust.
Update from foster 10/2/2014 ChaCha is very good with both dogs in her foster home. It took her a long time to get playful with them, but now she plays tug of war and LOVES to play chase games. She is not aggressive when meeting new dogs, but would not take kindly to them getting in her face - ChaCha prefers to initiate a greeting herself. She needs to be part of a pack, so another dog or more in the house are highly recommended for her prospective adoptive home. She does well with the dog- savvy cat in the home.
ChaCha has some hunter in her and would actively pursue a rabbit or squirrel.
ChaCha is drawn to small kids. She has been around toddlers and kids ages 8+. She wants to be near children, likes attention, being petted and go on walks. ChaCha does not know how to play, though - so she doesn't fetch or chase a ball.
In her current home, ChaCha and other dogs are housetrained on a schedule and do not have a free reign of the house when their foster parents are away. ChaCha actually likes her crate and thinks of it as a safe zone.
ChaCha walks well on leash with a halter; doesn't care for collars. Knows Sit, Wait, Down. Nervous in the car, but is getting better. ChaCha barks occasionally, but appropriately and stops when told to.
ChaCha is very good about getting pedicures, although she is not a huge fan of bathing. She tolerates a bath if handled patiently.
ChaCha is nervous in new situations/surroundings. She needs a lot of encouragement and patience, but responds and improves with appropriate handling. ChaCha's energy level is moderate. She LOVES to tear around the fenced-in yard, but settles nicely when in the house.
What is ChaCha's favorite thing to do? She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her people! Just pet her, love her, talk to her!
She is so loving and genuinely enjoys being with her people. Great companion.
ChaCha's new family will have to take it slow and introduce her to new things gradually, calmly and confidently. This girl must have had a difficult, scary beginning of her life, so she may get very nervous by a sudden loud sound, and needs time to regain her confidence and feel like things are OK again. Patience and understanding by her prospective adoptive person or family will be rewarded with a ton of love from little ChaCha.
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Thank You!
*The pet you are viewing is a rescued pet which is most often from an animal control facility and does not come with a pedigree. The breed(s) listed are our best guess and are in no way guaranteed. Sometimes the pets appear to be a particular breed(s) in the pictures we receive from our rescue partners and when they arrive we are surprised to see an entirely different breed(s) in person! If you choose to DNA test your adopted pet, test results may vary from company to company and our breed guess may not be reflected in those results as it is just that, our best guess. It is with deep longing that we wish there was a breed called "cute" as we believe all of our dogs would fall under this new breed classification!
Completion of an Adoption Application via our website www.midwestanimalrescue.org is the best way to show your interest in an animal and is the first step in our adoption process.
*Animals who are not fully vaccinated and altered are not eligible for long distance adoption.
When you adopt a pet from Midwest Animal Rescue and Services, your adoption fee covers: Microchip and registration, Core Vaccines including Rabies, Distemper and bordetella, age appropriate heartworm testing or FeLV-FIV testing, sterilization, heartworm/flea-tick prevention and deworming while in foster care.
Adoption fees are non-negotiable and can be paid by cashier's check, money order or credit card. We do not accept personal checks.
Any issues that arise after adoption are the full responsibility of the adopter after the finalization of adoption. Adoption fees are only part of the expense of owning a pet, so we ask you to consider the costs for the life of the pet before adoption. We recommend pet insurance.
Other Pictures of Cha-Cha (click to see larger version):
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