Topanga (insert Corey Matthews voice here, iykyk) is just getting back from a lovely weekend with a foster (shout out to Tamara and her family) who participated in our Home For the Holidays weekend foster program. Topanga definitely loves her people, and toys are life with this gal. Topanga has potential to excel in a sport dog home, since she has a higher drive and love for toys. We would recommend that she be an only dog or be in a home with slow introductions to other dogs. For being at MACC since the end of August she has been handling shelter life better than most, and would like to find her forever home ASAP. Her foster provided us with a wealth of information about her, here is what they had to say:

Topanga is the sweetest thing-we absolutely adore her! She's always checking in with her people, with nonstop tail wags and kisses. She loves car rides and rides like a champ (you will get kisses if the harness isn't quite short enough. She's wicked smart and hasn't had one accident in the house.

Her first day with so much change, she was overstimulated and it showed. She was an absolute sweetheart to us, but like a bouncy ball in a rubber room. We noticed a difference by the next day and more each day, but she definitely needs grace (and a very watchful eye) during the initial decompression phase.

She still has her wild moments where she gets mouthy, but I’m confident she could learn with gentle guidance if she was in a home longer. We’re already learning when they’re most likely to occur and heading them off at the pass. However, pillows, blankets and dog beds are not safe when she suddenly hits this mode (it has to be a trade or it becomes tug, which we’re trying to avoid with things that aren’t toys). She’s a vocal tug player where she sounds like she’s growling - we had a dog like this, but may worry some if they don’t know.

She’s constantly looking to our faces to see what’s next. She does come and sit by us when we eat, but is so polite. It’s really hard not to cave with that sweet little face politely asking for a taste.

Out on walks, she’s constantly on high alert and surveying the scene. I’m sure she’d become more relaxed if she was here longer, but this is probably part of the cause for her gremlin phase and maybe even her barrier reactivity (doesn’t sleep all day so she can keep tabs on us and constantly feeling the need for alertness makes her like an overtired, slightly nervous toddler - she doesn’t know where to direct her energy/feelings).

We met a neighbor out on a walk and my parents unexpectedly stopped by this week - she just loves all people to pieces. Just a little too mouthy for a home with young ones in my opinion, for risk of an accidental chomp. I think she would adore them, but needs some guidance first to truly be set up for success.

She sits if asked while you put on/remove her harness to go out. She sits patiently while you prepare her meals. My husband said she even waits until released (I haven’t asked this of her).