Tabitha was saved from a high kill shelter in Texas, where dogs generally have just 3 days to be saved before they are killed for space. Tabitha is spayed, core vaccines, rabies, de-wormed, heartworm tested negative and micro-chipped. She has an estimated date of birth of 4 November 2016 and weighs around 53.00 pounds. She has been listed as a Collie / German Shepherd Dog Mix. We have no way of knowing the exact breed, so it is up to individuals to decide what breed they think she most likely is.

On the shelter notes it states that Tabitha was fearful aggressive and had to be sedated to be caught. When she arrived at the shelter she was very fearful and would growl. I left her to decompress for the first day and then went to spend time with her. When I went into her kennel, she would go out into the run and when I followed her she would shy in the corner and growl/talk as if she was telling me to just leave her alone. She was not showing any aggression and it was clear she didn't want to bite. I spent time with her and then decided she would do better in the house with me and my dogs so that she can see the dogs interact in the house with me and learn that humans are not all bad.

I put a slip leash on her and with a little reluctance she walked over to the house. I spent some time with her alone in a room so that she could get used to the noise of the dogs and the smells and hopefully build up some trust before I took her into the main part of the house. After introducing the main dogs she followed me out of that room into the house. Her demeanour was starting to change and she was definitely starting to relax. She was watching the other dogs be excited with me and within 2 hours she was coming up to me, wagging her tail, and enjoyed the fuss and attention. She was very wary if I put my hand above her head to stroke her, so I worked with her and she is a totally different dog. 

After time now living in the house, she has learnt to use the dog door and to go outside to do her business, she loves playing and chasing with the other dogs, she loves the toys and the hooves to chew on and she just loves getting fuss and attention. She is constantly checking in with me throughout the day and is clearly comfortable and happy now.

Tabitha is great with other dogs, although she can get a little excited at times but is very responsive when a dog barks or growls at her, I do believe that it is just over stimulation with living with so many young, active dogs. When she is in a family setting with a good routine and some training I do believe that her excitement will reduce for sure.  Being a Texas girl this is her first experience of snow and it is definitely something she enjoys. She really has a lot of enjoy and charging around chasing and being chased and diving in the snow she finds a lot of fun. We do not have cats at the rescue, so have no idea how he would act around them.

Tabitha is around a year old and she acts as your typical "teenager" she is high energy, she is extremely smart, she will push your limits, but when she knows that there is no manipulating you and she respects you, then she is an absolutely wonderful dog. She is extremely affectionate, when sitting or lying close by she will lean into you or rest her head on your feet. She would make a great family dog, or companion to someone who wants that special buddy to take everywhere with them. 

​We do not recommend dog parks for several weeks, if not months, it is so very important for families and dogs to form a strong bond and get to know each other before exposing them to the potential dangers of dog parks. Although all GaDaH dogs are very well socialized with other dogs, lots of other dogs have not had the benefit of this socialization and do not always know how to play and act with other dogs. You also do not know the control the other families have over their dogs and you should always have a good recall for your adopted dog before going to dog parks.

Tabitha as mentioned is full of energy and so a family with an active lifestyle is a huge bonus. She rode great in the car and when she settled down she was happy looking out of the window. She would benefit from lots of road trips and adventures, hiking, trips to the lake, the beach and anywhere that she can burn off some of her energy and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds the world has to offer. She will need a family that understands the importance of training and we encourage all families to work on basic and advanced training as a family so that boundaries and expectations can be set and both Tabitha and her humans can learn each others body language and personalities and form a stronger bond and understanding of each other. 

Tabitha is available for adoption from Give a Dog a Home, German Shepherd Dog Rescue for an adoption fee of $550.

This fee is not negotiable and is used to cover the rescue costs of pulling, vetting, health certificate, transport from Texas to Maine, monthly preventatives, supplements, food and anything else that is needed.

If you feel that you have the heart and home to give this precious soul a wonderful life, please go to our website, under the APPLICATION tab, complete, then submit the APPLICATION. Our process takes around 2-4 days, and ensuring your references are aware that we will be calling, could speed up the process. Once you have been approved, we discuss any questions in regards to the dog you are wanting to adopt, then you complete and submit the contract, make payment and then we can work out the pick up / transport arrangements.

Please do NOT submit an application if you are not looking to take home a new best friend within the next few weeks.

http://www.giveadogahome-sanantonio.org

Tabitha is located at the rescue in Sebec, Maine . We post in various states along the east coast and Canada where we have had lots of successful adoptions to enable more exposure for these beautiful saved souls. Families will need to be prepared to travel to the rescue to meet and take home their new best friend. Sebec is located just outside the towns of Dover-Foxcroft and Milo (approx 8 miles) and approx 45 miles from Bangor. There are also lots of hotels, motels, pet friendly accommodations  and wonderful camp-sites for the more adventurous families and what a great way to get to know your new best friend. If there are options to arrange transport, we will work with you to make it happen.