Tulip - Female/spayed - Beagle/Shepherd mix (best guess) - adult (5-6 years of age) - 38 pounds (on the small side of medium) - sable medium coat - plush
Tulip is a character, but underneath her crabby expression is a very sweet dog who is crossing over to the sunny side of the street now that she is in foster care.
Sturdily built, Tulip has short legs and direct, honest eye contact, especially when she is communicating her desire for a treat. The beagle half of Tulip regulates many of her terms, and most of those terms involve her love of treats. Running a close second to treats is Tulip's profound joy to have a soft bed. She has also evidenced approval of the lovely fenced yard which she explores intently with her nose to the ground, and she has attempted to show her appreciation by running to fetch the ball that her caregiver throws. At this writing, she likes to run after the ball, but sees no point in bringing it back.
Tulip came to our organization through a volunteer who had noted Tulip's long-time residency at a rural Humane Society. During her one and one half years there without being adopted, Tulip compensated for her sadness at never being chosen - she developed her own way of rejecting adoptive candidates before they could reject her. Although the dedicated staff at the shelter saw through Tulip's behaviors, and loved her dearly, it was difficult to convince prospective adopters to take a chance on the enraged little dog who glared at them menacingly through her chain link kennel.
Compounding her behavioral marketing debacles was the additional difficulty of the way she smelled - Tulip was taken into custody immediately after being heavily sprayed by a skunk, and despite numerous cleanings, it took a long time for the scent to fade.
It is well to ask "what exactly DOES make this dog lovable?" And she truly is. The answer lies partially in her underdog status, but mostly in the fact that she is so resilient; despite the fact that Tulip has arranged her personality to seem irascible and unpleasant, the truth is she is blustering. Just since coming into foster care, Tulip has softened. She has become eager to please. She loves to have her head stroked. Her dark eyes have begun to shine with joy when she receives attention. Without asking outright, she is begging for someone to pet the chip off her shoulder.
Tulip is more than deserving - she is a vulnerable and sensitive dog who will blossom by being wanted. She will work hard, and be a joy to train if she is given a chance to know she is valued and needed. And she will reward her adopter(s) with the kind of bond and loyalty that is only possible when you give a dog who expects nothing a chance.
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