Misty is a golden retriever-chow mix who is looking for her permanent home. Her previous family abandoned her, and a kind neighbor took her in to help her find the kind of appreciative family that she deserves. First, she is stunningly beautiful-- with warm, expressivebrown eyes; thick, soft hair; and a robust, healthy build (not chubby or flabby--but muscular and strong).

Second, she is a HAM for belly rubs, and will flop down on your feet and beg for a few pets. She is housebroken, good with cats, chickens, but does like to pester the goats by chasing them around the yard. She has been just fine with my other dogs, both big and small, male and female. Occasionally at first she did become nervous at times and would growl to tell them to go away, but was never aggressive. After 1 week, that has mostly disappeared and she is usually looking for a playmate instead. It is awfully cute, though, when she does a happy little play bow in front of my nearly deaf and blind yorkie--she just doesn't understand why the fact that her head is bigger than his whole body should be a reason not to play.

She has become almost completely crate-trained within 3 days! She is a bit on the short side, and will want to put her front paws up on the windowsill in order to look out on all the antics of the goats and chicken. She is still learning about some of the finer points of being a housedogfor example, that snacks are only from people, not to be snarffed from the countertop. She sleeps quietly all through the night, and is exceptional on leash, though sometimes a little excitable and requires that you pay attention. She is extremely responsive to voice commands, and even though she won't initially know what you are asking of her, she is very attentive when talked to and will be at your side as quickly as she can. She has a good appetite, but often likes to take a few short breaks to walk around the house before finishing the last of hermeal. She has beautiful white teethwith which she is very gentle. You can put a treat directly into her mouth without risk of ever being pinched. She has gravitated to children, and wags her tail when she even sees one approaching. She seems to have just as much affinity for men as for women, and does not require a harsh voice or physical discipline to train her. She just wants to avoid the mean mommy-nos and get the good girl! praise!

She is young still (2-3yrs), and greatly appreciates a good bone to chew, particularly while in her crate...otherwise the crate bedding takes the brunt of her teeth. She is quickly learning that she must be invited in order to come inside or outside through a door, but is so very smart, that it only took her about 45 seconds to realize how to operate the handle on my heavy story door. She just HAS to be with the people, and watching foster mommy work in the yard through the glass is not acceptable to her. But, in her courteousness, came straight to my call and flopped down for that favorite belly-rub.

She is a timid girl by nature, and is much more able to relax when given calm, soothing reinforcement and lots of "good girls" for settling down. She likes to be groomed, and even tolerates foster mommy's annoying habit of looking in her ears, in her mouth, picking grass from between her toes, and snipping off little snaggy bits of hair. In all honesty, though, she luxuriates in a plain old brushing!

With all these attributes, she will make her family a fabulous companion--beauty, brains, charm...this gal has it all.

She has tested mildly-positive for heartworms, which are currently being treated. She still needs to be spayed, once her heartworm treatment is finished. Since she is such a healthy, robust woman, she will likely fare these experiences just fine. She is up to date on Frontline and Capstar.

Update - Misty is generally very good-natured with other dogs, usually curious and playful. She has shown some intolerance, however, for other large dogs who are too assertive or territorial. Although a sweetie to the core, she is also no wimp, and her forever family will want to make sure they don't allow a large, in-your-face type of dog to challenge her. She will not hesitate to meet the challenge and defend her pride and dignity, even if that means trying to put that other dog in his place.