Fostered in Pace, Florida
Hershey is a 7 to 8 year old Great Dane who is learning how to enjoy life after a very rough start. She came into rescue alongside another senior neglect case, Shaggy, and the two are currently being fostered together. After years of living outdoors and being used for breeding, Hershey is still working through the physical and emotional effects of that life. What she needs now is a calm, patient home where she can continue to feel safe and settled.
She can be unsure of new people at first, so slow introductions are important, but she warms up quicker than you might expect. Once she trusts you, she is incredibly sweet and affectionate. She is a total leaner and loves to rest her head, or her whole body, against you, especially if you are sitting down.
Hershey has done well with other dogs in her foster home, including an alpha male, a young playful Dane, and even a Dachshund, but proper introductions are a must. She can be growly if rushed and does best in a lower energy environment where things do not feel chaotic or crowded. She has also been around livestock including goats, pigs, and cows without issue. She will chase outdoor cats but responds when corrected.
Because of her past, Hershey is an anxious dog. Too much excitement or close quarters can make her uncomfortable, and she does not tolerate being poked and prodded, especially at the vet. She will need an adopter who understands her boundaries and can advocate for her.
She is crate trained and knows “kennel up,” and will even relax in her crate with the door open. She is doing well with potty training and is starting to signal when she needs to go out. She and Shaggy both have excellent nighttime habits with no accidents, and they settle in well for the night. Hershey prefers to sleep in the bed with you.
When supervised, she has free roam of the house and is not destructive. She has never been one to get into things. No counter surfing, no shoe stealing, and no chewing on things that are not hers. When left alone, she does best with access to a secure indoor and outdoor space like a mud room with a doggie door.
Hershey must be fed separately due to food aggression, which stems from being severely underweight when she came into rescue at just 75 pounds. She is now a healthy 130 pounds.
Physically, she is still healing. Years of living on hard surfaces and repeated litters have taken a toll, and she does best with short walks and a relaxed lifestyle. You may hear her softly moaning in her sleep because her body has been through a lot. She was recently deemed healthy enough to be spayed and had her surgery two weeks ago. She is recovering well.
Hershey would do best in a calm, low traffic home with a patient adopter who understands that trust takes time. A quieter environment without constant activity will help her feel secure. She can live with other dogs, but they should be well balanced and introductions must be done slowly and thoughtfully. Because of her food aggression, she will need to be fed separately.
An adopter who is home more often or can provide a consistent routine will set her up for success. Experience with large breeds or anxious dogs is a plus. Most of all, Hershey needs someone who will respect her boundaries and continue showing her that life can be safe, predictable, and kind.
Hershey’s adoption fee is $300. She is vaccinated, spayed, microchipped, heartworm negative.
To read over the adoption requirements before applying to adopt Hershey, please go to www.nwflgdr.com/adopt.
Please note: NWFLGDR does not transport. All adopters are required to pick up the dog in person from his or her foster home.
SHAGGY
Great Dane
🇺🇸
Pensacola, Florida
male, extra large, senior
Great Dane
Pensacola, Florida
