x Abby

ADOPTED AUGUST 2008!

OK, so enough people have asked if Abby is a basenji mix that we will post her as such, but we really don't think so. She does not have the personality of a basenji and is much bigger. On the rare occassion that she does bark, it is loud and clear. We are, however, fairly certain she has pretty much Ibizan hound in her. Ibizan hounds are very sensitive to anesthesia and Abby was, well, sick as a dog, after her spay as a result of the anesthesia. (She has since recovered and is perfectly fine now.) Her personality matches that what is typical for an Ibizan: Quiet, clean, playful, polite, gentle, sensible and sensitive. Also, some distinct things about her physical characteristics: The long upright ears, the very long neck, very long toes, markings and coloring. People always comment on how skinny Abby is. That is simply the lean sighthound build that she has inherited. The one difference is Ibizans have a very high exercise requirement, which Abby does not have. Sure, she LOVES to go for walks but if she is not exercised regularly, she does not become nutty with excess energy buildup. Abby is quite calm for her age, a very well-behaved dog, and she is highly trainable. She has a sensitive nature so a correction goes a very long way. For example, she was quite the puller on leash. After just a couple of leash corrections, Abby walked in the park for over 1 mile very nicely. She doesn't like to do things the wrong way and prefers knowing how to do things right. It was quite a challenge to crate train Abby. One look at that crate and she planted herself firmly and said "NO WAY! NO HOW!" So early on she was stuffed into a crate, well, because that is the way it is in foster care - all fosters are crated. Period. Once in, she was fine and would hunker down quietly for the night. Gradually we were able to entice her in partially with a treat (stuffing the rest of her in) and now she happily goes in her crate when a treat is thrown in. In fact, she now goes into her crate all on her own to nap during the day. Here is Abby's story...

Abby was taken to the shelter by her owner who didn't want her any more. Kind of like last season's dress you take to Good Will because you don't want it any more. Abby was terrified at the shelter. When the other dogs would start barking her eyes would dart back and forth and she would shake. We had to leave her in the shelter for a week until a foster spot opened up but as soon as one did, we went and got Abby and she is now in a foster home.

Abby behaved like a perfect young lady in the car on the ride to her foster home. She sat quietly in the back seat, relieved that she was leaving the shelter behind her. Upon arrival at her foster home, she was given a bath. She didn't quite understand the whole bathing concept but she quickly caught on and started to cooperate. After a few hours she started to relax and play with toys. She is clearly much happier now. Her nails were incredibly long but she sat very nicely for her manicure and pedicure and can now walk much more comfortably.

Abby is a very sweet dog, about 2 years old and weighs 50 pounds. She has now been spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and tested negative for heartworm.