Heidi (Bastrop TX)

Hi, my name is Heidi and I'm 3 years old! After escaping my home several times, my owners finally decided that they couldn’t contain me anymore and surrendered me to a local shelter. Lucky for me, I didn’t have to spend one day inside a shelter kennel and went immediately into a foster home who was familiar with my breed. I am fully vetted, microchipped, spayed, crate and house trained for the most part. (I have a bit of fear urination that may happen depending on the situation as you'll see later in my bio, but my foster family hasn't had any issues once they learned what worked for me.) I am fairly social, getting along with other dogs, cats, and people. I understand the words “sit, come and Heidi” but most of the time I will just lay down and roll over when these words are asked of me until I learn that you are a safe person. I love body massages and belly rubs are my jam! My foster mom towel dries me and my paws down when it’s a wet day outside and I don’t mind that either.

I am dog and cat savvy and typically get along either playing, avoiding or existing along other dogs/cats. I love to dig for gophers, chase squirrels and watch deer. Despite being a pointer, I don’t really pay attention to birds, although I listen to a good whistle.

When I first came into my foster home, I attempted to find weak spots in the fenced in yard but I’ve since learned that I like it here. so I stopped looking for a way out. They give me respect and freedom with access to a dog door and lots of rides to town so I don’t feel so trapped. While I don’t enjoy being put in my crate, I tolerate it like a champ.

My foster family is home most of the time and their schedule is all over the place so I never know what to expect aside from breakfast and dinner and the occasional snack. Sometimes I’m crated if they all have to leave at the same time and I have tolerated up to 4 hours in my crate just fine. I get a bit whiny and scratch at doors and things when left unattended in the home for too long. We are working on that. I also sleep in my crate at night. When I see my foster family settling n for the night, I usually follow suit and go to my crate by myself.

My biggest issues are fear related. My foster family thinks I got yelled at a lot and when I would get caught, I’d be punished so when someone calls my name or tells me to come, I cower, roll over and present my belly. If someone puts hands on me in this position, I will pee from fear. However, my foster family has learned that attaching a leash to my collar in this position and then asking nicely for me to follow, works like a charm. I know it’s a little extra work but it helps me be confidant that I won’t be punished.

My other issue is that I really enjoy the smells from the garbage can and if left alone long enough with access, I might take it upon myself to rid the can of its smelly inhabitants.

I 'm decent on a leash but I like to go fast and my fosters are slow so I pull a bit to encourage their pace to quicken. I’ve met children in strollers, men and women and I really like tall men with cowboy boots and farm smells.

I love squeaky, plushy, crinkly toys and have a bit of a hoarding problem. If you don’t offer me enough toys, I’ll steal yours. My favorite thing is to bury them and/ or collect them in a pile in the yard. I get the zoomies with them too sometimes. I will sometimes play fetch with toys but not balls. I have two big toys boxes here. I like to take the ones from inside to outside. I will do this all day long. I love it when my foster family put the toys back inside. It's a fun game!

I’m loving and sweet, chatty at times and love to jump up and give hugs (even though I know I’m not supposed to). I am currently in a home with no other pets and I get lonely sometimes. I would love to have a brother if we get along. I’d love a new home with a patient family who understand I will need time to feel safe again. Preferably with a man who likes to take me for rides and to go places with new smells to enjoy.

I tolerate baths but am not a fan of water. The vet is a scary place. I also have a habit of darting through gates or doorways when given the opportunity. This includes car doors. I escaped my current foster home once when they opened the gate to take the trash out to the curb, only to go to my neighbors yard and when presented with an open car door, jumped right inside. I was so proud of myself! My foster mom was not happy but she giggled, said she understood and took me to town for a joy ride to calm the urge for adventure.

I like having people around who understand my need for curiosity and adventure. My need for understanding in scary situations. Someone who understand that my natural response is one where I think i'm in trouble and who will work with me to let me know that I am not in trouble and that I will be ok with them. Space is a huge factor in my confidence building and I appreciate someone who gets that.