Foster Home Update 8/5 - We have only had Georgia a couple of days, but she is a real sweetie.  She is soooo mellow and easy going.  She waits for her food and for her treats like a real lady!  She is getting along with our other two dogs well.  Here are some wonderful things we have noticed about her:

She loves people
She is not food aggressive
She is not an alpha dog - so she can easily be with other dogs in a household
She is well mannered - she does not get up on couches, beds, etc.
She does jump up, but actually, she more like stands up!  We are working on this, but it is hard, because it is really kind of sweet!
She likes stuffed animals
She is totally crate trained
She does not chew on anything!
She walks perfectly on a leash - no pulling at all!
She likes to smile
She is not a big eater
She comes when called
She sleeps through the night without any problems
Her fur is shiny and super soft
She does not shed very much  at all
Basically, she's kind of a perfect dog!

Shelter Update 7/31/11:  Georgia is such a lovely girl.  She doesn't like being in a crate and always flops down on her back in front of her crate when her walk is up.  Georgia loves belly rubs and a good stuffed animal to cuddle with.  Sometimes Georgia gets jealous of other dogs getting to go out for a walk and barks, but we just tell her to wait her turn.  She has the most beautiful carmel colored eyes that show true expression.  Georgia has a habit of "jumping up" on people.  But it's not like a nuisance jump, she just stands on her hind legs and puts her front paws on your tummy.  It's like she's saying, "Hey, I'm right here.  Can I get some love?"  You can't help but give her ears a scratch when you look into those eyes.  Georgia has become a shelter favorite and we just don't understand why someone hasn't snatched her up!

Georgia and her baby Peach (get it Georgia..peach)...came to us from another shelter that had a terrible fire. They were strays abandoned at the local vets office! This Mama and her puppy are very close and we would love to adopt them together if possible!

Let's not let this girl suffer from 'Black Dog Syndrome'.  If you don't know about BDS, it's real.  Wonderful, loving black dogs get overlooked by potential adopters...simply because they are black.

Foster Update 8.15.11: Georgia is getting along wonderfully.  She is one of the most affectionate dogs we have ever had.  She really loves contact with her people.  She is getting more used to the routine at our home, and now is eating better.  She still likes to jump up, but we've taught her we would rather she just "stand up" to get our attention, instead of putting her paws on our work clothes!  So, she now stands up on two feet to get attention and to receive her treats.   It is very cute.

We took Georgia to an event last weekend, and it was amazing how she tense she got as soon as we walked in.  I think she gets fairly anxious with all the dogs and cats around.  In our home environment, she is extremely calm and collected - not anxious at all.  She is submissive to everyone and all of our other pets.  She really has been perfect - so perfect that the other day she found a bag of cookies (my mistake!) and was really enjoying them when we found her.  The really cool thing was that she just let us take the bag without any fuss at all.  We had to laugh at how easy going she was about it. 

She will always come when she is called - this is such a cool thing.  For some dogs, this takes a lot of practice, and a lot of good treats.  But, since Georgia loves attention, she will come running just for a good ear scratching.  And that really makes her people feel really, really good inside.  I think Georgia is the kind of dog that makes your house feel more like a home.

Like many dogs in the South, Georgia is heartworm positive, but don't let that stop you from adopting a great dog.  We are treating her with monthly heartworm preventative, our preferred method.  Many heartworm positive dogs go on to lead long and healthy lives.

*** According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Labrador Retriever is a loving, affectionate, lovable, patient dog. Once known as the "St John's Dogs," the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Originally from Newfoundland, Canada the Labrador was trained to jump overboard into the icy waters to haul fisherman's nets to shore. Specimens were brought to England in the 1800's by English ships coming from Labrador, where the dog's fine retrieving instincts were honed and developed. One of the best family dogs and canine companions because of their gentle, loving disposition, the highly trainable Labrador also excels in drug detection, as a guide for the blind, and service dog for the disabled. The breed is also an outstanding obedience and field trial competitor. Highly intelligent, loyal, willing, and high-spirited. Lively and good-natured, they love to play, especially in water - for they love to swim. They have an excellent, reliable, temperament and are friendly, superb with children and equable with other dogs. They crave human attention and need to feel as though they are part of the family. Labs are easily trained. These dogs are watchdogs, not guard dogs, although some have been known to guard. They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.