Xena12-09


	Age & Sex: 3 - 4 yr. old Female


UTD: Yes


	Weight: 45 lbs.


Other Dogs: Yes


	Color: Fawn


Cats: Unknown


	Ears: Natural


Children: Under 5: ? Over 5: ?


	Tail: Docked


Professional Training Required: No


	Spayed: Yes


Microchipped: Yes


	Shelter Surrender


Location: N. Bellmore, LI, NY

Adoption Donation $300

1/9/10 - Xena girl has some home. Wonderful couple, previous adopters.
Xena loved them and off she went to her new life. A far cry from being picked up on the streets of Brooklyn.
Have a great life Xena....we did what we promised we would do for you.

12/29/09 - Xena is pending adoption.

12/23/09 - Wow, where has the time gone. This girl is so awesome, you forget the is a foster girl :o)). She has blended in with the pack, and is doing just great. She is getting along with everyone, continues to just be a wonderful guest.
She crates extremely well, now actually anticipating my request to go in the crate, and heads in before I even say "crate". She loves to run and play outside. After getting 18 inches of snow on the island this weekend, she was out there running with anyone who would play with her. Luckily we have another new guest, a female 6 yr old dogue de Bordeaux, who also has a playful side, so these 2 have hit it off, and are good friends.
She did see a squirrel in the yard, and too off like a bat out of h*ll after it, and I don't think she wanted to play with it. If it runs, Xena will chase.
She continues to have a great appetite, and since we wanted to put some weight on her, we have been giving her 5 cups of kibble, with assorted goodies added, like fat free vanilla yogurt, American cheese, chicken cutlets, pasta....and she finishes every bit.
With all the dogs here, Xena would really love to get a bit more one on one with the 2 legged folks. She is a total love bug, will look at you for attention, and give you sweet, gentle kisses if you make eye contact. She really is a special girl who deserves nothing but the best. Do you think you can be her new forever family. If so, ask for her by name, it will be the best way to start off the new year, for sure!

12/10/09 - We have made wonderful strides with Xena the last few days. She is now completely incorporated in the pack, just one of the crew. This took a few extra days, as we had to bring Xena's activity level down to match the current activity level of the existing pack, which is a bit on the laid back side. With verbal corrections of "easy, easy", she has finally "gotten it" and understands. That is not to say that she is a calm dog. When I let her out by herself in the yard, she gallops around like a jack rabbit. If there were a young dog out there with her, she would be able to keep up with any dog I have seen. She loves it outside. Now that she is more subdued in the house, she is seeing very little crate time. Right before we feed her (as all the dogs get very excited right before meal time, so she is better in the crate at that time) and at bed time, when I go upstairs. She has no problem with the crate, usually settles down very quickly.
Xena loves to walk around and pick up all the stuff laying on the floor. We have all kinds of squeaky toys, ropes, marrow bones, ...you name it and she will pick something up to occupy her time. She is a really good girl. She will walk over to me at the computer table looking for some lovin, which I am more then happy to give her.
From what I have seen of her this week, she should go to a home where the pack leaders will understand that Xena will need a firm, steady hand, and with that, she will be a great dog. Without it, I can see where she could upset the balance of a pack unless properly controlled, like we did here. If you think you have those qualities, then this is the girl for you. She is super sweet, has the eyes that will melt you when she looks at you, and as you can see, she is a looker :o)) Does all her business outside, a great eater.....what more are you looking for?

12/6/09 - Xena is making nice progress in her foster home. She had the sniffles, but seems to be doing better, so we moved her into the main room downstairs where she is now with many of the dogs that live here. We are crating her so as to control the energy level with all the other dogs.
Xenia has a ton of energy. When I let her out in the yard, she runs around like a puppy. She just loves the space and freedom. We have been introducing her to a variety of dogs. She met my spunky, somewhat dominant female Boston with an attitude, and that relationship will take time to work. With all the dogs in the yard, I have taken her out on leash, and she begins to stalk my Boston. We do not allow that to develop, and she takes her leash correction well. She understands I am not going to allow anything to happen. She intermingles with 4 of my 5 pugs without any incidences and my Sir boxer boy and her appear fine. She doesn't seem to have any issues with my laid back female French mastiff either. My laid back Peke is also ignoring her, and vise versa. My young bouncy pug who doesn't know his size, gets her interest with his pounding of his paws into her. We are not sure what her reaction will be, so we keep her under control. We are all in the learning stages of her joining the pack. It does appear that she is well suited for dogs that are submissive, regardless of size.
She is relaxing in her crate, very comfortable to be with all the dogs. No whining, barking or undesirable behavior. She really is a very good girl. No accidents in the house, always does her business outside. We have gone on many walks, and she is very well behaved with the people and dogs we have passed on the walks. She did see a rabbit jump out of a bush and it was a good thing I had a good grip on the leash, or I think I would still be chasing her now :o)).
Xena is eating like a champ. We are giving her 2 cups, 2x's daily with pasta, chicken and fat free vanilla yogurt mixed in. She never leaves a bit over...I swear the bowl is cleaner AFTER she is done then before I filled it :o))
I took her to our groomer yesterday and she was perfect. Let them do everything, and now she is all clean and smelling like the pretty lady she is.
She has not been here that long, but I have to say I am really enjoying her company. Eager to please, obedient and all the kisses you want. Stay tuned for further updates on this gem of a girl.

12/3/09 - What a gem we have uncovered in a nasty old shelter. Xena, an approximate 3-4 yr old female is just a pleasure to have. She arrived yesterday and after a long trip to get to us, went for a nice walk, did her business, stretched her legs and came right in and settled in her crate.
She ate very well, went out and did her business again (she walks great on the leash) and settled down nicely. I spent a few hours with her watching TV and she was soaking in all the belly rubs and massaging I gave her. After another nice walk, she settled in for the nite.
No barking in her crate, and this morning, she was all wiggly so see me. Kept her crate totally dry and clean, went out and did her business and had a nice breakfast. Finished everything.
So, Xena knows sit and paw (I did not teach her that :o)). So far she seems to be good with other dogs (tested her briefly at the shelter), although she is a bit sniffly, so we are restricting her contact with the resident dogs till she is better. She also needs to be spayed, which we will do when she is better.
Xena, from the looks of her has not had the easiest life. Beside being about 10-15 lbs under weight, she has soars on just about every joint. You get this from lying around on concrete. You can see some in the pic's by her thigh and paw knuckles. She has also been clearly bred multiple times. And, despite this, we have a girl here who is just totally sweet and loving. Well behaved, I really like this girl.
Working on fattening her up, which those who know me know that she better be adopted in a few weeks, before she is too fat :o))
A word of advice, get your apps in quick, this is a girl who will have a new home in the very near future. Make sure it is you who will be new family.