URGENT!
Two dogs in Des Moines, Iowa area need homes immediately:
home foreclosure
Savanna is a 4 year old spayed, female Australian Shepherd. I rescued Savanna from an abusive and neglectful home when she was just under a year old. When I got her, she was very timid. When you put your hand out to pet her she would flinch and quiver because she thought you were going to hit her. She didn't even know how to play!

It's taken a couple of years but she has become a wonderful dog. She is very happy and is a great companion. I have never seen a dog who has so much love to give. She wants to be by your side wherever you go. Savanna is an indoor dog and would prefer to sleep in bed right next to you, but would be content sleeping on the floor next to you. At times Savanna will still shows signs of her abuse as she is very sensative, especially when you raise your voice at her. She will need a home with someone who can give her lots of love and attention. She gets along well with other dogs and absolutely LOVES cats.

The other photo is Savanna's best friend Marley. I adopted Marley from the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines when she was 4 months old. She is a Shepherd/Collie mix, 8 years old and spayed. She is an absolute goof ball and will make you laugh everyday!! She and Savanna are inseperable. She is very sweet and kind. She is also very spoiled and is used to sleeping in my bed. She loves the outdoors, especially the snow, but doesn't want to stay out there as she has been raised as an indoor dog. She gets along very well with other dogs and cats.

Both dogs will be visiting the vet this week to make sure they are up to date on shots. We are in Truro, Iowa just south of Des Moines. They do not need to be adopted together, though it would be great if that were possible. I just need to find homes for them very soon!

I have lost my job and my home is about to be foreclosed. I have to move into an apartment and cannot bring the dogs with me. I have to find them a new home, but do not want to give them to just anyone. This is absolutely breaking my heart because I'm not sure I can part with them, but realize I have no choice. I have to be out of my house by July 10 so I need to do something ASAP. If you think you might be able to provide a loving home for Savanna and Marley, I can be reached any time by phone at 515-238-7437 (ask for Sue), or email at sabrandt99@gmail.com.

Jo
Iowa

Casey (Protege #0106) is a sweet little black and white puppy. She is about 3-1/2 months old, and currently weighs about 7 lbs. She loves meeting new people and learning near things.

Casey would love a home where she had another doggie friend to play with, but if you'll keep her active and entertained she'd enjoy that too. She will likely be a small dog (20 lbs or less), as her parents were a Rat Terrier and a Mini Aussie. Her coat takes after the Rat Terrier side and is short and easy to care for.

I have been fostering her for a couple of weeks and she has slept through the night with no crying, fussing, or barking every night since I have had her. She is crate trained, meaning she sleeps in a crate, enters willingly, and spends her days in a crate when I am at work.

Like all puppies she needs to be watched closely so she continues to build good habits, but currently her housetraining is going great! She knows her name and loves to come running back to you when you call her, especially if you have a treat to reward her!

She is still learning about riding in a car and isn't always quiet, though rides nice if she is tired out; she is also learning about walking nicely on a leash.

Casey is very comfortable being handled and has been extensively socialized. Basically she's a joyful little puppy who wants to continue to learn new things, play with lots of toys, other dogs, and people and have a home to share her love with!

Here is a little video of Casey in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9yjfHSR0T8.

You can see a slide show with lots more photos of Casey here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/maziemeistermoumou/Casey#slideshow/5352557810713677986

Casey is up to date on her vaccinations, wormed, on flea and heartworm preventives, and will be spayed before adoption. She is currently being cared for in Coralville, Iowa. Contact Jayne at mcjayne@yahoo.com for additional information and with questions.

Jo
Iowa

Meet Ralphie (#0105) . Ralphie is a 8 month old (13 lb!) Mini-Australian Shepherd who is neutered and up to date on all shots. Ralphie came from a breeder who was selling his dogs at exhorbitant prices and having trouble getting rid of them (go figure).

Ralph was an outside dog and came to Protege with ticks and mats all over his coat. At first I thought Ralphie might have trouble adjusting to the inside life, but he has had absolutely no issues that we can't overcome. Ralpie seems to be completely housebroken and has had no accidents in the house since he came to his foster home two weeks ago. He also will go to his crate for a treat and although he is a little whiney at first, quiets down after a couple of corrections.

Ralph is a sweet dog who absolutely LOVES people. He wants to be with people at all times and is a great snuggle companion. Ralphie's foster family has two young children who Ralphie gets along with well, though at first Ralpie was very cautious and worried about the kids. He would do great in a family with no children, or older children. He could be placed in a family with younger children, but may take longer to adjust to them.

Ralphie also gets along with most dogs, but prefers to be left alone at times. Although Ralphie loves his foster brother and sister, he has shown some dominance with other visiting dogs in the home. Ralphie may do best as an only dog, but could easily live with other dogs as well. It would be important for Ralphie to meet potential adopters and their family/pets before an adoption took place.

Ralphie is great in the car. He loves to ride on laps, but will also sit quietly by himself. Ralphie is very treat motivated as well as human motivated. He has learned sit and is currently working on down. Ralphie is quiet around the house and is very calm and mild-mannered. He likes playing with stuffed toys and will tug at times. Ralphie is probably the cutest dog ever and needs a home where his people will love him for the rest of his life. Could that be with you? Contact Jayne at mcjayne@yahoo.com with questions and for additional information.

Jo
Iowa

Sam is a 17 week old Toy Australian Shepherd. She is a blue merle with two beautiful blue eyes. She is up-to-date on her shots and is still in the process of being housebroken. She is great with other dogs and children. She currently weighs 6.4 lbs and shouldn't be more than around 12 lbs full grown. She is very calm and loves to snuggle. Loves to play and go on walks and be outside with you. Sam is currently in Marion. Please e-mail Effie at azecm2005@yahoo.com if you are interested in Sam. Adoption fee does apply.

Jo
Iowa

Meet Phoenix (Protege #0102), a handsome sable merle male Aussie ! Phoenix was a stray picked up in Illinois along with a Sheltie and they were apparently good buddies. If I had to describe him in one phrase I think I'd say he's the perfect "boy's dog". I can see him following a boy around on his adventures and waiting for him at the bus stop. But, having said that, he'll fit in wonderfully with any active family. Phoenix is between 1-1/2 and 2-1/2 years old and still has puppy energy in him, but he is full grown and a large, substantial boy weighing in at around 55 lbs. He loves to play fetch (see video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tz3_3TjvAM) and might make an enthusiastic agility dog. He's curious about the world around him and is always on the move; until YOU settle into a spot and then he's right by your side.

We are working on crate training as he's not fond of it yet; I suspect he was left crated a long time when young. He is already learning to walk nicely on a leash. We do recommend him ideally for families with kids over six years old. He is patient and loving as the day is long with kids, but we can see little kids getting knocked over by his exuberant movements and we can see him mistaking baby and toddler toys for his own and chewing them up.

Phoenix is great with cats, kids, other dogs; he always has a smile on his face and wants to participate. He loves cuddling and being petted and, in fact, almost seems to go into a trance when you stroke his head slowly and steadily.

His weak areas are chewing (puppy still in him?), he's a bit of a messy water drinker, and he's not happy about being crated.

He's a good traveler once you get him into car (hasn't learned to jump in himself yet), and loves to ride along. He is neutered and current on vaccinations, on flea and heartworm preventatives.

Phoenix is ready to join you for a life full of adventures! Visit this boy soon...with his regal good looks and big grin, he's going to make someone a great companion. Phoenix is fostered in Cedar Rapids. Contact Jayne at mcjayne@yahoo.com with questions and for more information.

Jo
Iowa

Kirby is a 7 month old mix of of Am bulldog and pitbull terrier- (and some mystery other breeds.) He is loving and loves to please- he gets along with everyone including cats whom he seems to love. He knows his place in his foster mom's pack- but he does try to push the limits which is why he made it to the bed which is like reaching the inner sanctum. One problem is that Kirby doesn't seem to understand that you do not go potty in the house. There seems to be no organic reason for this- but his foster mom lives in a high rise building on the top floor and in order to go outside, there is a multiple stage ordeal including an elevator and that seems to be enough to confuse dear Kirby about the new learning system. He is not in any way a resistant type- a bit stubborn at times- but nothing outisde of a typical Am bull. He is 7 months, he weighs 37 pounds and is likely to gain another 10 + which means he will be around or just under 50 pounds at full weight. Obviously as you can see he is gorgeous and a real lovebug- that is 'ticking' on his coat- well actually I think his skin- at first he looked like a dalmation- but he is not- that is ticking that many Am bulls get. So he's got the coloring of an Am bull- as in Petey from Our Gang- but his circle around his eye is real.

If you would like to know more about Kirby- he is officially the responsibility of Philadelphia Animal Control- however his foster mom Linda, is responsible for his adoption in every way at this point- so please contact her at el3dann@aol.com. His adoption fee is 40 dollars and he will be neutered previous to the new owner's taking him home. Also he is up to date on shots- including rabies and is wormed. Kirby suffered a bit in his early life. His tail was cut off without anesthesia and though its healed perfectly- it makes mom very sad to think that anyone could cause this baby pain. Oh- these dogs stay puppies for 3 years- and he accepts his crate- but not with gusto- better get him quickly cause foster mom is spoiling him to death!

Linda
Philadelphia, PA