Hail Mary

Description

* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, August 22nd from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.   Adoption fee: $800 Hail Mary: A True Winner!   Every once in a while, a dog comes along who feels like the answer to a prayer—and Hail Mary may be exactly that dog. This gorgeous 5 year old, 45-pound Poodle is gentle, affectionate, wonderfully well-mannered, and incredibly easy to love. She has a non-shedding coat that will require regular professional grooming to keep her looking and feeling her best.   Hail Mary has the calm confidence of a seasoned veteran, the occasional running style of a baby deer, and just enough playful spirit to keep life entertaining. She is the kind of dog who fits naturally into a household without needing to be the center of attention every second—although she will certainly never turn down a good petting session.   Slow Mornings and Leisurely Meals   Hail Mary generally wakes around 7 a.m., but she is more than happy to sleep in when the rest of the household does. Once everyone is up, she heads outside for a potty break and spends a few minutes peacefully exploring before coming back inside for breakfast.   After the family leaves for school, she enjoys a 20- to 30-minute walk. She then settles in for a serious day of relaxation, rotating among the floor, couch, and her favorite spot underneath the dining room table. She gets another walk in the middle of the day and a final walk in the evening.   Dinner is served around 7 p.m., although Hail Mary believes meals are meant to be savored. She takes her sweet time eating, often leaving a little food in her bowl to return to later. There is no rushing this lady.   The Ultimate “Oper Doper”   Hail Mary’s foster family affectionately describes her as an “oper doper”—a dog who ambles happily through life at an easy pace, seemingly saying, “Oper dope,” as she goes about her day. She is exceptionally calm, gentle, and mild-mannered, with a soothing presence that makes her delightful to have around.   She loves every member of her foster family, but she is also comfortably independent. She does not need to follow her people from room to room or remain glued to someone’s side. Instead, she is content to relax nearby and enjoy the company.   When she wants attention, she makes her request in the sweetest way possible: she quietly places her nose into your hand as a subtle reminder that more pets would be appreciated. She loves sitting beside her people on the couch—and occasionally directly on top of them—but she is equally happy to settle down on her own when everyone is busy.   A Playful Side Emerging   Hail Mary has been calm and easygoing since the day she arrived, but as she has become more comfortable, her playful personality has started to emerge. She is beginning to chew on appropriate toys and chews, play with toys, and occasionally unleash a brief but enthusiastic case of the zoomies.   Most of the time, she is a professional lounger. Once in a while, however, she decides it is time to demonstrate her athletic ability. Watching her run is highly entertaining because she is all legs and sometimes resembles a baby deer discovering how its limbs work. Her energetic bursts generally last only a few minutes before she returns to her regularly scheduled couch time.   A Friend to Everyone   Hail Mary has not lived with another dog in her foster home, but she is extremely excited whenever she meets dogs on walks. She approaches potential friends with so much enthusiasm that more reserved dogs may not quite know what to make of her. Hail Mary would love the opportunity to play, but when she cannot greet another dog, she is easily redirected and continues on her way.    Hail Mary has spent time with children ranging from 3 to 17 years old and has been wonderful with all of them. Crowds of children do not faze her, and she remains calm even when an enthusiastic child approaches her directly. She does not jump on people or overwhelm smaller children, and she happily accepts affection from kids and adults alike. Her gentle, steady temperament could make her an excellent addition to a family with children of any age.   Walks, Sniffs, and Good Manners   Hail Mary loves going for walks and considers sniffing every available scent an essential part of the experience. She walks nicely overall, although she may pull a little when an especially interesting smell catches her attention. Fortunately, she responds well to redirection.   She does not bark at dogs while walking. In fact, her foster family has heard her bark only once—when a neighboring dog finished saying hello and walked away before Hail Mary was ready for the friendship to end. Apparently, she felt one formal complaint was justified.   House-Trained and Home-Schooled   Hail Mary is completely house-trained and has excellent manners inside the home. She has not needed a crate in her foster home, so her crate-training history is unknown. She has not used potty pads or a doggy door.   She can be trusted to relax at home without getting herself into trouble. She does not dig, attempt to bolt through doors or escape from the yard, chew household belongings, jump on visitors, or bark when people come and go. She has recently begun enjoying appropriate chews, but she leaves items that do not belong to her alone.   This smart girl already knows “sit,” “down,” “wait,” and “shake.” She is also learning to move from a down position onto her side, which helps her family check her paws for burrs after walks. She patiently allows people to remove burrs from between and underneath her toes—a particularly valuable quality for a fluffy dog who enjoys exploring.   Her Perfect Teammates   Hail Mary could thrive in many different types of homes. She would be a fabulous family dog, a gentle companion for adults, or a wonderful addition to a household with children. She may also enjoy having a playful canine friend, provided the other dog appreciates her enthusiastic approach to introductions.   Her ideal adopters will enjoy leisurely walks, couch time, affectionate nose nudges, and the occasional baby-deer zoomie. They should also be prepared to maintain her beautiful non-shedding coat with regular grooming.   Hail Mary offers a truly special combination: she is affectionate without being demanding, independent without being distant, playful without being overwhelming, and exceptionally easy to live with. She can happily share your space when you want company and relax on her own when you are occupied.   Sweet, steady, smart, and endlessly gentle, Hail Mary is not a last-minute desperation play. She is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime catch that could carry her future family straight into the end zone.