Hi, my name is Wendy!
I was living in a cage at a shelter, and it was a big scary place with lots of dogs who were all upset that they were there. My owner turned me in to that place and I don't think he knew how I'd be living there, or what could happen to me. I can't believe he just dropped me off like a bag of trash!

But, I have finally gotten some good news. The people at the shelter love me so much that they sent me to the "big city" to find a new home.

I love everyone I meet, including kids, dogs and cats. Can you help? I'd love you forever!

Love,
Wendy

A Note From Her Foster Home:

Wendy is a sweet girl who is finally enjoying her new life. At her fosters family's home she is finally learning what toys are and that it's fun to play. She's having a great time playing in the yard with the other dog so she would probably really enjoy life with another dog.

She behaves like a very nice lady at the day care she visits and on walks. Wendy is a little shy so she will need someone to be patient with that and give Wendy a little time to warm up to you. She is definitely worth the wait!!

If you've wanted a shepard Wendy is your girl. She's everything you love about them.... smart, loyal, gentle. A wonderful companion for someone willing to look beyond the shyness.

Please feel free to fill out an ADOPTION APPLICATION on our main website, www.midwestanimalrescue.org, by clicking on the Form/Applications link under Website Features.

Thank You!

UPDATE FROM WENDY"S ADOPTIVE HOME AUGUST 18th, 2011

We changed Wendy's name to Ava upon adopting her.   She just didn't look like a Wendy to us, and she responded quickly to the name change. 

It took a few months after adoption to get Ava to trust and feel comfortable with us and with her new home.   We did consult a canine behavior therapist when we first adopted her so we could get professional guidance on the best way to work with her and help her to settle into life with us.  The therapist worked with us and Ava in our own home in order to reduce her stress of having to go anywhere or be around any additional strangers.

She is still shy with strangers, and is especially fearful of men wearing baseball caps, but has made a LOT of progress in the 2 years since her adoption.  She loves to go hiking, camping, and boating, and attends WoofDah Doggy Daycare two days a week so she can play with other dogs on a regular basis.  She also enjoys going to the off leash doggie park - especially in winter when she can run in the snow.   She has 4 kitty "sisters"at home that she has fun with - there are 2 of them in particular that she likes to play with, and she is always up for trying to sneak into the cat food!   We have an active/outdoorsy lifestyle, so Ava gets plenty of exercise and has the chance to visit many places.  The summer after adopting her, we purchased an RV so she will always be able to vacation with us. 

Ava has added so much joy to our lives -  our goal in adopting her is to give her the best life possible, and we're very devoted to making that happen.   She is the sweetest, most loving dog, and seems to be happy and content in her new life. 

Thank you to MARS for bringing us together!

I have attached photos of Ava cozied up in her bunkbed in the camper enjoying a nylabone,  hiking a state trail,  taking a break to enjoy lunch during a hike in Big Woods State Park,  sitting at the breakfast table in the camper (this was just a fun picture, she doesn't actually sit there to eat!), her birthday photo from WoofDah this year,  another birthday photo with her bff's from daycare, and the last photo is all of us in the paddle boat with Ava wearing her pink polka dot life jacket.  Believe me, the German Shepherd in the pink PFD gets lots of staring, pointing, and laughing from our fellow boaters when we are out in the canoe or the paddleboat.