Ivy has already had more than one chance to prove just how badly she wants to be here.
At three years old, she landed at the county shelter terrified and overwhelmed. She struggled to eat, startled at the noise around her, and spent much of her time trying to make herself small. Even then, there were little glimpses of the dog underneath all that fear: she would come back to a handler for reassurance, sit beside them for affection, and take treats gently before venturing off again.
Ivy eventually found herself on the euthanasia list, and Rescue Street got her out. Then, almost immediately, she became critically ill with double pneumonia and was hospitalized.
She survived that too.
The Ivy who came home from the hospital had some catching up to do. Fortunately, she approaches catching up with considerable enthusiasm.
Ivy is affectionate, playful, curious and deeply attached to her people. She loves squeaky stuffies with the intensity of someone who has recently discovered that life contains squeaky stuffies. She'll play fetch and actually bring them back, challenge you to tug-of-war, put her paws in your lap when she wants to be close, and distribute pitty kisses freely. She knows sit, takes treats remarkably gently, is potty trained and crate trained, and genuinely loves her kennel. At bedtime, she'll settle in and sleep through the night.
Walks are a considerably bigger event in Ivy's calendar. She is good on leash, loves getting out into the world, and sometimes has more enthusiasm than she initially knows what to do with. Other dogs can be especially exciting, and Ivy has been learning that seeing another dog does not require experiencing every available emotion simultaneously.
She has worked with a professional trainer and continued that work with Rescue Street, and once given clear, calm guidance, she has shown us a dog who can settle, think, and make good choices. She has been calm and friendly around other dogs and tends to be most comfortable with calmer, less vocal companions, including shy or timid dogs. Any canine roommate should be chosen through a thoughtful introduction. Cats are not a good fit for her at this time
There is a certain tenderness to Ivy that becomes much easier to see once the excitement comes down. She can carry tension with her, but when she realizes she is safe and understands what is expected of her, her whole demeanor changes. She wants connection. She wants to participate. She wants very badly to get things right.
A few months ago, Ivy was the frightened dog at the back of a shelter kennel who could barely bring herself to eat. Then she survived the euthanasia list. Then she survived double pneumonia.
Now she gets to have the part of her story where surviving is no longer the main event.
She gets to live.
Please visit our website www.rescuestreet.com to learn more about this amazing pet and to see other available dogs and cats.
