Zoe

Zoe is approximately 2 years old in these pictures taken March 22, 2008. She had always been kept out on a chain with little protection and sometimes no food or water. The neighbors would watch out for her and helped by giving food and water. Zoe was taken in by those same neighbors when they noticed that her owners had just left her when they moved.

Zoe was pregnant and gave birth to four puppies (Tipper, Scooter, Hammy, and Piglet) on Thanksgiving Day 2007. The neighbors are keeping her and two of her puppies until we can place them. An LP volunteer has the other two puppies until we can place them.

UPDATE - From Zoe?s foster mom ? February 5, 2008
I will miss her more than I will miss the puppies. Zoe has been let down and disappointed by humans in her past. She deserves a great home with a happy family that has nothing but love to give.

Here is some info about Zoe...First of all she came to our house on November 23rd...she has been with us since then. Her puppies (Hammy, Scooter, Tipper, and Piglet) were born also on 11/23.

Zoe is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met. She is loving and obedient. She came from a home that had young children and she seems to be drawn to children. We don't have children in our house but we have seen kids playing when Zoe and I are out for our walks. When children or adults approach Zoe she is excited but happy and friendly.

I have tried to introduce Zoe to our dogs, but only one time. The meeting did not go well and the situation was stressful. She had just had her puppies and my husband and I had just brought Zoe to our house. She was aggressive and excited but not towards any of the humans. We know Zoe was not the only dog that lived at her original home and she was friends with one of the dogs because we had seen them play together. All this aside, I feel she would do best in a one dog home. She is so loyal and loving. Zoe?s new owners would get so much love from her that they would not need another dog.

Zoe has a lot of energy. She just wants to join in on what ever you are doing. If you are setting to watch TV she is fine with that. If you are running and playing she wants to do the same. She is a strong dog so she would need constant supervision with small children because she does not remember her strength. I don't believe she would EVER hurt a child. She could however scare a child or hurt the child unintentionally if she was to knock the child down. She is social and wants to be part of the group. Zoe would be a waste of a good dog if she is stuck with a family that leaves their dog alone or ignored.

We observed Zoe with her puppies from day one. She is the best mom. For two weeks she laid with her puppies to keep them warm. She would only go outside long enough to use the bathroom and she wanted to come right back in. She would allow us to pick the puppies up but she was always right there to see if they were ok. She was never aggressive with anyone during this time. And while we are speaking of being aggressive...some dogs get nervous when someone or something gets near their food. That has not been the case with Zoe. I have had my hand in the bowl while she is eating she does not even flinch. I have tested this several times in different types of situations and she has never reacted in a negative way.

Zoe learns very fast. She came to us with a lot of bad manners (jumping up on people, snatching or reaching for 'human' food, etc.) Now she understands what we expect of her, she just needs to be reminded. Dogs do not understand the difference between clean clothes and dirty clothes so dogs should never be allowed to jump on you or anyone. If it is ok to jump on you when you are dirty then it has to be ok an ALL the time. If you don't want to get dirty when you are clean you must adhere to this rule. Just a firm NO is fine...stepping back if you need to avoid contact. Then you must praise her as soon as her feet are all on the ground. Zoe will sit and stay but not if you walk away...we are still working on this one. She walks very well on a leash but she does best with the 'no pull' kind. She does come to you when she is called however if she was to take out after a cat or squirrel she may become temporarily deaf!

UPDATE - March 22, 2008:
We have found that Zoe does fine with male dogs but not with females. She also does not like cats. Zoe wants to please and walks well on the leash and seems to be a very smart girl. She is housebroken too.