Critter Details

See Rita’s HomepageGo to our official website This is Rita! She’s an Australian Shepherd born 6/22/21. Rita is a breeder release, most likely from a puppy mill. Before coming to the rescue, she spent her life in a cage. The world is like another planet to her. She is scared of almost everything, especially humans. She’s been at her foster home for around six weeks. For the first week she was here, I let her have her crate and then took it away but now she will not go back in. She likes it best where humans are not. The challenge is getting her exposed to the real world while not causing her too much stress.  At first, I had her in the living room so she could be around the action (not that there’s much. My house is very quiet.) Wherever I put her, she will stay. She does not go anywhere while I’m around. I know when I’m gone that she likes to explore but as soon as she lays eyes on me she goes to her spot and stays there. I’ve fostered two other dogs similar to her and this is normal. They want to be free and sniff stuff but they are terrified of humans. They will get over it. My understanding is it takes about a year.  I would leash and carry her outside daily for the first few weeks which she hated. She would just stand there until I carried her back inside. There is no getting her to walk where you want, especially on a leash. Eventually, I figured out that she likes being outside very much but alone. Now, she stays in my screened in back porch with her water dish and rug. I leave the porch door ajar so she can come in and out as she likes, which she does all day. She wants to be outside but not for extended periods. I think she likes knowing the safety of the porch is just a few feet away. I LOVE to catch her outside in the yard being a dog. Of course the second she sees me, she freezes and slinks away.  She is super sweet and really likes pets. Whenever I approach, she is apprehensive but as soon as she realizes I’m not going to make her go anywhere she lays down and lets me pet her. She’s not potty trained but is doing very well. She always goes on the potty pads when she’s in the house and while on the porch, she has been going outside. This surprised me as I’m pretty sure she’d rarely even been outside. She may have figured it out from my other dogs. The car totally freaks her out. I’ve only taken her to the vet and back. She would be fine with kids as long as they are not too young. She needs quiet. I’m sure she’ll be ambivalent to cats.  She’s a purebred Aussie so I know a lot of people will be interested. PATIENCE will be needed. Just to get her to walk on a leash will take months, who knows how long until she trusts people. I definitely do not spend the time with her that she needs for that. My priority has been getting her adjusted to her new environment. I interact with cuddles a few times a day but otherwise leave her be. Her new family will need to do a lot more than that or she’ll continue to be antisocial. Rehabilitating a dog who has been treated like a plant their whole life is a big commitment. It is worth it if you have the time and patience. They develop their own personalities and quirks and leave a strong and memorable impact on the families who love them. Adoption fee includes: Full veterinary exam, Alter, Prepaid microchip, Dewormed, dental, Rabies vaccine (if age appropriate), Distemper combo vaccine(s) appropriate to age, Bordetella vaccine, 4DX (over 6 months of age), Flea/tick and heartworm preventative while in rescue. Adoption fee: $595.00