My name is Tabatha - 30 lbs!!

Please read entire bio before contacting rescue. Courtesy listing! Please contact Janet Cook of the Angel’s Heart Dog Rescue at: adopt@angelsheartdogrescue.com and not the rescue connected to this page! The preferred method of contact is by way of e-mail. Make sure you check your spam folder for an e-mail reply from the rescue.

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The shelter listed Tabatha as an Australian Kelpie mix, and I tend to think that is the case, but most people do not know what that breed is and this cute dog is getting lost in searches. Cattle dogs are very similar but please note that Tabatha is some mixture of herding dog. She may be mixed with Corgi, Aussie Shepherd, or even Border collie, but the point is, she is darling and when we are out in public, she is noticed by everyone. Tabatha has a beautiful, soft, tri-colored coat. She is about 10 months old, according to her shelter paperwork; however, she may be closer to a year. She weighs 31 lbs. and is a great medium size (please note that she looks much larger in photos; in truth, Tabatha is short and pudgy).

Tabatha has a very sweet and loving nature; she loves everyone she meets. She gives sweet kisses and sometimes offers her belly for a belly rub. She is a relatively chill dog considering her age. If I am working at the computer, she is lying on a pet bed in the same room as I am working in. If I am working in the kitchen, she is hanging out on a throw rug, watching me work. From time to time, she is attention seeking. If she is not sitting with me or trying to put her paws on my lap, she goes off to explore the yard or hang out with the other dogs in the pack. Tabatha has an independent side to her, but if she sees activities going on that she is not being included in, she will bark until I include her.

Tabatha still displays puppy antics, for example, she might take out your slippers, socks, and other items onto the grass. She may go into the bathroom trashcan and get something out, or put her paws up on a counter if she sees something interesting up there. All an adopter has to do is close off doors to rooms that you do not want Tabatha to access and put away certain items, just basically keep a watchful eye, and a crate should be used as a transitional tool to a new place until she can be fully observed, when folks are away from home.

Herding dogs can sometimes be a bit mouthy. By that, I mean they will put their mouth on a wrist, arm, even an ankle, to communicate or play. It is similar to puppy play biting; it is not aggressive biting, does not hurt nor break skin. People who know herding dogs understand this. Tabatha’s mouthing has been very minimal; she stops if you tell her to, and I have never seen her nip.

Tabatha is becoming more and more playful with the other dogs. I have seen her play both rough and gentle, depending on the dog or the day. It varies. A larger more boisterous dog may intimidate her, and I have heard her squeak if she gets scared of another dog’s exuberance. Other times, she is the exuberant one. Tabatha lives very peacefully in the pack, with both big and small dogs and has never shown any aggression. She lived at the rescue’s main location for a bit, but was then transferred to one of the rescue’s foster homes where there are just two other dogs, but also five cats. Tabatha is actually amazing with the cats; she is very gentle and has tried to play with one cat, but please note that the cats in this foster home are quite dog savvy. In transferring her, Tabatha showed resilience as well as an ability to adjust quickly to a new setting.

Tabatha is a smart dog who can train quickly and easily. She is food-motivated so that is a plus for training her. This breed type enjoys being mentally challenged so formal training is something that Tabatha will excel at and is encouraged. Tabatha was initially insecure when leashed towards other dogs that were also on leash, but we have been working with her with regular walking with another dog, and she has improved considerably.

Tabatha picked up the potty routine quickly. It helps that I always have a door open, but she also learned the dog door right away. She is crate-trained, and sleeps quietly in an appropriate-sized wire crate at night, but prefers that the crate be positioned near me in my bedroom. (All adopted dogs MUST BE primarily indoor dogs with outdoor access for play and potty. They cannot be excluded to the outdoors away from the people, and all dogs must sleep inside the house.)

Since Tabatha is still a puppy, the home we seek for Tabatha is one whereby the people are not collectively gone for extended hours on a daily basis. We would LOVE for Tabatha to have a doggie friend so she can benefit from staying dog social. A home with a conventional yard is considered a requirement, but I may forgo the yard if Tabatha has another dog within the home that will play with her. Tabatha is a super sweet and relatively easy to handle dog overall. She is quite obedient and charming but with a penchant for the mischievous. I think she is a great find and anyone would be lucky to have her!

Tabatha is spayed, fully vaccinated (including rabies), front-lined, dewormed, and micro-chipped. If you are interested in Tabatha, please contact Angel’s Heart Dog Rescue at: adopt@angelsheartdogrescue.com. The phone number to the rescue is: 626-340-9316. There is no need to phone the rescue until you have first submitted an interest via e-mail. Please visit my website at: http://www.angelsheartdogrescue.com and go to the Adoption Tab to read about the adoption process and fees; thank you!