Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
My name is Ginger and I’m looking for my forever home. My must haves: a securely fenced yard, no small kids, no small pet animals (dog-savvy cats are okay). I’m 6 years old and foster mom calls me Lil’ Lady because I’m such a polite, dignified, shy, and gentle girl. She always tells me how proud she is of how well I’m adjusting to my new world. You see, I lived my whole life at a commercial breeding facility making puppies. When SIRA came to rescue me, I had never lived in a home before, so everything is so new and overwhelming. Where I came from, humans were scary, so I’m getting used to how kind and gentle everyone is here. When I first came to my foster home here in Flint, MI, I was so scared that all I did was hide and shake in my crate. But after just a couple of weeks, I’m learning the new routine and I’m feeling much more safe and secure. Now when it’s time to go outside and play, I get excited and wag my tail. And when it’s dark and quiet and the humans have gone to bed, that’s when my playful, silly side comes out and I toss toys up in the air or chew on chew bones or even do a little redecorating, collecting stray socks or other treasures for my nest. Foster mom says that I’m very smart and learn quickly - and I’ve also gotten good at expressing my opinions (and I have some!). Like if we’re out walking and I decide I’m done, I’ll just sit down – or turn around and walk back toward home. Or if I grab something that I shouldn’t be chewing on and foster mom says “no, ma’am,” I’ll leave it alone for a while, but I might go back to find it again later just to see if she really meant no. I like getting attention from foster mom. She’ll stroke me and talk to me with her kind, gentle voice and it just feels so good! I let her touch my paws and tail and even pick me up. I like it when she brushes my fur too. It feels nice to be pampered. Sometimes when she stops petting me I’ll boop her hand – just a little boop – with my nose to ask for more. I also love being able to go outside in the fenced yard here at my foster home. Sometimes there are bunnies out there for me to chase! Going for leash walks is something I’m practicing. I used to get so scared when cars would pass that I’d lay down and tremble. Now that I’m more used to them I’ll just stop and sit and watch. I’ll need a very patient forever family to help me continue to get used to all of the new noises and movements and experiences that happen in the world. I get along well with other dogs and I’m even good with dog-savvy cats (but I might chase them if they run from me). But foster mom thinks that I wouldn’t be a good match for other small pets (based on how excited I get to chase and catch bunnies). I’d love to find a quiet, laid-back forever home. One with an easy-going dog to help me learn the ropes would be great. If there are kids in the house, it would be best if they were older kids who can understand that loud noises and sudden movements really scare me. I’d love to have a nice cozy crate to use as my den and safe spot – and maybe a sofa where I can hang out next to you and chew on my chew toy. I’ll need a securely fenced yard where I can explore and do my business, since I’m still figuring out this whole leash-walking thing. Sometimes walks are just too much for me with all of the cars and people walking and kids playing and lawnmowers. If you’re patient and give me time and gentle encouragement, I promise I’ll be a very good girl. I’m not loud and don’t make a racket. I’m good in the car and totally okay being left alone if you need to go out. I haven’t shown signs of door bolting like other Shibas, but my forever family will need to be careful when opening doors or gates so I don’t slip out. I’m healthy, spayed, up-to-date on vaccinations and I weigh just under 30 lbs. If you live in the Midwest and want your very own Lil’ Lady to be by your side, then visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the application process to become an approved SIRA adopter. Applying helps SIRA get to know you and your home environment so they can make sure we’d be a good match. Once approved, SIRA will introduce you to my foster mom so we can meet!
