Foster Update 12/29/2011

We decided to take Sasha home from the shelter a little before Christmas. She was being kept in our front room where people are always in and out of. While other dogs barked and carried on when people or other dogs walked through, Sasha just stood there wagging sweetly.

It didn't take very long for our dogs to warm-up to her...notice I said "them to her" as she was ready to play, give kisses, and snuggle with everyone from the moment she walked in. The Queen Bee of our house, Bailey (the white dog sleeping with her), actually bullied her a bit in the beginning because she was so sweet and submissive. Now they sprint out and around our yard together, Bailey looking for squirrels, Sasha going along for the run.

She can be a hard wrestler with the bigger dogs, but she is a big gentle giant. She definitely adjusts herself depending on the person or children she's around. With my husband, she likes to get on his lap and bear hug him. With me, I can't get her to sit up to save my life, she is constantly flopping over for belly rubs. If you give this dog belly rubs and tennis balls, she worships you. So far, she has gotten two tennis balls in her mouth at one time!

Sasha is free roam - we tried putting her in a crate and she pushed on the door so much she scratched up the top of her nose. Not terrible for her first crate time in a new home but we decided to try her free roam to see how it goes and she is MUCH happier and just plays and snuggles with our other dogs. 

At first it was hard for me to believe that this girl was part beagle...but she definitely is. Though she hardly barks, when she does it's a beagle bark...including the lack of moving her mouth that some beagles do when she does it. It was actually super cute! For the most part, she is a mellow lab through and through!

Here are some additional highlights about Sasha:

• 100% Housebroken
• Crate trained but does not need to be crated
• LOVES all dogs
• Super gentle, very loving
• She is happy, playful, and carefree
• Likes to cuddle and receive belly rubs
• Loves people and children, though large, she is extremely gentle with things smaller than her (i.e., babies, puppies)
• Loves, loves, loves tennis balls. She walks around, sleeps with, and chews on them (does NOT destroy them).
• She loves bones and will occasionally fling around a stuffed animal with another dog
• Known commands: Sit, Shake, Stay, No, Give Kisses

This sweetheart came to us from a family that is losing their home and moving into an apartment where they do not allow pets.  Sasha has instantly become a shelter favorite!

When they adopted Sasha from the SPCA, they were told she was a Labrador/Beagle.  While she looks nothing like a Beagle to us, her personality is very similiar.

*** 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.