Passport

Description

* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, August 29th 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: $650 Meet Passport: Your Ticket to a Lifetime of Adventure   Passport is a 4–5 month old German Shepherd mix who has been with DPS Rescue since she was just seven weeks old. She weighs about 25 lbs. We have watched her grow from a tiny baby into an exceptionally smart, loving, and adventurous puppy— and now she is ready to stamp her ticket to a forever home of her own.   Ready for Takeoff   Passport begins her day whenever her people do, heading straight outside for a potty break before breakfast. Mealtime is one of her favorite events: she gets so excited that she jumps in happy little circles, but she already knows she must sit before her bowl is served. She even gulps down her morning medication as though it is a special bonus treat.   After breakfast, Passport is ready for her morning walk. She may be eager to get moving, but she politely sits while her harness and leash are put on. Once underway, she walks beautifully in her harness. She is friendly and curious when she encounters people and dogs, greeting the world without barking or jumping. If another dog is interested in playing, Passport is delighted to enjoy a friendly sidewalk tussle.   During the day, Passport enjoys having free run of the house. She is comfortable entertaining herself and does well when left home alone. When her people are around, she often follows them from room to room, quietly keeping them company. She also loves stretching out in the sunshine outside. By evening, she is happy to settle at her people’s feet while they relax on the couch. Passport likes being close, but she is not an overly clingy snuggler; her preferred form of affection is often resting her head across someone’s feet and gazing up with her beautiful dark brown eyes, just in case a face scratch might be available.   Smart, Spirited, and Eager to “Work”   Passport has the intelligence, energy, and enthusiasm you would expect from a Shepherd mix. She learns new commands quickly, loves earning treats, and is thrilled whenever someone gives her a job to do. Training is genuinely fun for her, especially when it involves a new challenge.   She would be an exciting match for someone interested in continuing her education through obedience classes, agility, scent work, or other dog sports. Passport would also make a fabulous hiking and adventure companion. She wants a life that keeps both her mind and her body engaged.   Of course, Passport is still very much a puppy. She gets spectacular zoomies, races through the house and yard, and sometimes jumps around in an enthusiastic attempt to start a game. She is teething and can still be a little mouthy, although she has already improved tremendously. She loves squeaky toys but is surprisingly gentle with them and does not usually rip them apart. She is not much of a digger or destructive chewer, though sticks and interesting plants remain highly tempting puppy delicacies that should be kept out of reach.   One of Passport’s most charming features is her curly tail. When she becomes excited, it springs happily from side to side across her back like a furry windshield wiper.   A Friend to Dogs and People   Passport currently lives with Sunshine, a six-year-old Golden Retriever, and would happily play with her all day if given the opportunity. She loves other dogs and could thrive with a playful canine companion, although she could also be the center of attention in a home committed to providing plenty of exercise, training, and social opportunities.   She has done well with children, but she is an energetic, mouthy puppy who can become bouncy when excited. As with any young puppy, her interactions with children should be closely supervised. P  Passport’s Potty Progress She is very good about going outside when she has access to the yard and tries hard to avoid accidents indoors. She will also potty on command when taken outside before her people leave the house. Passport has experienced some bladder leakage related to a medical condition called urethral sphincter incompetence. She has been seen by a specialist and while they expect that she will have this condition for life, no surgical intervention is required. She takes a medication called Proin daily and it manages her condition well. The medication is not expensive (approx $30 per month) and widely available. Passport believes her pills are delicious treats and takes them eagerly. Her adopters should be prepared to continue her medication and veterinary care while reinforcing the excellent habits she is developing.   Passport is generally a very quiet puppy and rarely barks. Her exception is the crate, where she will voice her objections. Because she has done well with appropriate freedom in her foster home, she may be more comfortable in a puppy-proofed room or pen while her family continues helping her build positive associations with confinement.   Your Next Great Adventure   Passport’s ideal family will appreciate everything that makes a bright, active puppy so rewarding. She needs people who will love her deeply, continue her training, provide plenty of play and exercise, and give her constructive ways to use that clever Shepherd brain. She is looking for adopters who want more than a couch ornament—although she will gladly keep their feet warm at the end of an active day.   Sweet, observant, playful, and always ready for action, Passport has all the makings of an extraordinary adult dog. She checks in with her people, wants to make them happy, and approaches dogs, people, and new experiences with joyful enthusiasm. Give this wonderful girl the guidance and adventures she craves, and she will become the best friend you could ever hope to have along for the journey.