Adopted: Joey

 

Quick Facts:

  • Breed: German Shepherd mix
  • Gender: Female, spayed
  • Age: 8 years young
  • Size: 60 pounds
  • Good with…
    • Dogs? From a distance!
    • Cats? YES! YES!
    • Kids? Yes! 15+

Hello! My name is Joey and I am the best cuddler and most loyal companion you will ever find!

History

I was lucky to be rescued at one year-old by my current owner. I had been abandoned at the local SPCA and was unsure what would happen to me, and then this nice elderly lady came and brought me home! We’ve been together for seven years now, and it has been soooo nice! I kept her warm at night by sleeping in bed with her when she needed me, I have chased the pesky squirrels out of the yard (she never asked me to do this, but I could tell she wanted me to), and I let her know when anyone came to the house. We moved from NJ to NY together but now my sweet owner has become too ill to take care of me, so her caretaker has promised to find me a really terrific new forever home. I’m sad to not be with my owner/mom anymore, but I am very excited for what everyone tells me will be a very sweet next chapter of my life.

Personality

I’m very, very friendly and wow do I LOVE FOOD! I’ll be patient, I’ll never take it from you if you haven’t given me permission, but as soon as you say “sit” and have a treat for me….oh boy am I a happy girl! I’ll take that treat SO GENTLY from your fingers and then go running into the next room to eat it quietly and enjoy every last morsel! Sometimes I’ll take the treat on the couch to be comfy while I eat!

Though I am 9, I have really good energy and like to play with ball and run around outside in our yard! I will bark at the squirrels (Haha, take that squirrels!) and when anyone who pulls into the driveway I will let you know they are here! Don’t worry, as soon as you tell me it’s okay, I settle right down and am quiet.

I’m really good with visitors! Since my owner has been sick we have had nurses around the clock in our home and these are people I’ve never met before! It’s okay though, I listen to any adult who gives me a command, so even though they are new, I still listen when they say sit, or put me outside on the lead so I can enjoy the fresh air.

I’m really smart! I can sit on command and shake paws! If you want to teach me more tricks, I think that would be great fun and I’m sure I’d learn them in no time!

Even though I have energy and like to play, I can be a super mellow couch potato too! I will sit with you if you let me, and I love getting pets and belly rubs! Like most shepherds, I do like some space, so I don’t love being hugged and snuggled, but I do love being next to you, I’ll keep you warm at night on the bed by your feet, I’ll put my head next to your lap on the couch, and I will lay at your feet. I just want to be where the people are, and be part of the pack!

I have to admit that I’m not great at walking on leash when other dogs are out and about. If they are at a good distance, I’m perfectly fine, but I don’t like them getting too close to me. It makes me nervous, and then I bark/growl/pull to let them know to please stay away. That’s how we dogs communicate our feelings and wishes– they understand what I’m saying. Keep in mind that my owner never worked on this with me, but I’m a really smart girl, and think that if you did some consistent positive reinforcement training with me in this situation, I am certain I would improve (at least somewhat)! Given this though, I would very much like to be the only dog in the home please. I promise to be the best dog you could ever have!

Cohabitation

I’m fantastic with people! I’ve met a lot of different people since my owner has been sick and I have been friendly with everyone! Little kids make me nervous so I’d rather not be around them, but teenagers and adults are the best!

I pay no attention to cats. I live with one, and she will try to say hi to me (by swooshing her tail at me) every once in a while, and it doesn’t bother me at all, but I’m also not really interested in being best friends with her either. I’m very easygoing about cats—I could sort of care less if they are there or not– so will be happy to live with cats or without them. But if your cat is looking for a best friend dog buddy, I am afraid I might disappoint.

Other dogs make me very nervous/excited and I’m not very good at controlling myself around them. I act dominant sometimes, I’m not sure if it’s because I’m scared or because I fancy myself a top dog (or both?), but no matter, I need to be your only dog please! 

Favorite Activities

  • Eating! All food rocks!
  • Running around in the fenced in backyard! Playing ball!
  • Laying in the sun!
  • Laying at your feet while you watch tv or next to you at bedtime!
  • Barking at squirrels!
  • Offering up my head so you can pet it!
  • Following you from room to room to make sure you’re okay and letting you know that I love you and you are not alone!

Why I am looking for a new home

My owner has Alzheimer’s and she can no longer take care of me. Her nurses have to focus all of their care on my owner, and I don’t get almost any attention anymore. It’s very sad for us all.

Medical

I’m in great health! Nothing to report here, whoo hoo!

Summary

I’m a great companion and an all-around wonderful girl! I am caring and loyal and sweet and silly and very emotionally aware…I can often tell when you don’t feel well and want to stay by your side to let you know that you’re not alone. It’s a very sad situation that my owner is so incapacitated at this point that she can’t be my mommy anymore, but I am super glad to know that I will get a new mommy or daddy sometime soon. Please come and meet you, you will love me!

If you are interested in adopting me, please fill out an online adoption application and live close to Ithaca , Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, or Elmira. We do home visits on every applicant, and can’t do home visits where we don’t have local volunteers.

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