Ellen aka Mama dog as she goes by, is looking for a very special home. Mama takes a long time to trust new people and bonds strongly to only one person when she deicides to let her guard down. Mama was found as a stray and taken to a small rural shelter with limited resources. Being a guarded soul as she is she was not at all handleable at the shelter by staff so we agreed to pull her so she can learn to trust in a home setting. Mama surprised the shelter staff with puppies days after being brought in. Having already made the commitment to pull Mama, we of course took the whole family. It took me and my family a while to gain her trust, especially in another new place, with day old puppies and lord knows what her life was like to land her a full term pregnant stray no-one claimed. Time went by and Mama raised her three puppies and was the absolute best mama dog she could be. Her pups were adopted when ready and Mama was listed as well. She was adopted by a very nice couple but unfortunately Mama ran away from them minutes after getting her home. Mama dog is just does not trust easily and as many dogs do, she refused to go to anyone and we worked the next 24 hours to live trap her and bring her back to our place. Mama showed how strongly bonded she is to me and still months later doesn't leave my side often. Mama dog is a flight risk in new places with new people so we have been wondering if staying here would be best for her. As most people in rescue, we have several resident dogs already and to keep a dog I feel is adoptable is not justifiable. Mama dog would absolutely prefer a home with less animals. A home where she can be a spoiled princess and someone's whole world. She is the most loyal you'll ever meet once she has decided you're her person. Although a new home and a new person will be an adjustment for her and may take her time to get comfortable, we truly feel she will be happier in the long run. One less dog here also opens up our house a little bit more allowing us to say yes to helping the next dog in need. Mama is spayed, vaccinated, been on monthly parasite prevention, has great house manners, is crate trained and leash trained. Mama can be off leash in the yard and stays with me and has wonderful recall. However, since her initial instinct is to run when scared, she can absolutely not be let outdoors off leash or without a fence until she has 100% settled in to her new home and is bounded with her person. She can coexist with dogs, cats, and chickens but she would also just love being an only pet. We will not require that though. What we are looking for is someone willing to give her time and space to learn to trust on her terms. She very much loves treats and offering snacks helps to speed along the bonding. She has been groomed regularly since with us but will likely be skittish with a new groomer as I am also the only groomer she has been to since in our care. We may never find the perfect fitting home for Mama dog but if there is one out there, I could never deny her that either. This is a good dog that deserves to be the center of someone's world and in rescue she has to share our love with so so many. If you have made it this far you must be interested enough to apply for adoption, applications can be filled out on our website underdogsalvation.com.
