PetStyle

To be considered for adoption you must complete the SIRA Adoption Application available on our website. Read about our adoption policies and proceedures at www.savingshibas.com/adopt_a_shiba.html. If you have any questions please email adoption@savingshibas.com. Key Info: * 4 months old* Red Female * 9 lbs. * Will be spayed, UTD & Microchipped prior to adoptionChicago area Placement PreferredIL, WI, IA, IN, MI, MO Placement Only Sponsor me!For information please email admin@savingshibas.com Nessie is being fostered by Aimee & Beth in Glen Ellyn, IL. For more information please email shibarescue@aol.com. Meet Nessie! October 29, 2009Nessie is a sweet and loving little Shiba! She was released from a puppy mill with about 300 other dogs and is learning how good life can be. She is very inquisitive and eager to explore everything in the wide open world. Nessie loves to play with toys of all kinds: soft squeaky toys, balls, and KONGs filled with special treats. This is especially important because she has entered the chewing phase of puppy hood. She needs to be provided with many engaging toys to play with or she turns her attention to the furniture. She needs to be in an x-pen or crated when she cannot be watched. This is also aiding in her potty training which is coming along very well. Nessie LOVES all other dogs. She takes cues from the other dogs around her about whether she should be happy and playful or nervous. It is very important that she be placed in a home with another playful and confident dog. Nessie, at this point is displaying more beta tendencies and we would prefer to place her with another beta dog. We are working on basic obedience cues with Nessie. So far she has picked up walking on a leash so long at we do not apply any tension. Given another couple of weeks she should be walking on a leash with absolutely no issues. We have also started teaching her sit and down. She knows the meaning of 'no.' Nessie's forever family will be required to take her to positive based obedience classes to improve her confidence and help reinforce the bond after adoption. Nessie would do fine in a home with gentle children over the age of 12. Her prey drive has not developed yet so we do not know how she will do around cats and other small pets. This will probably not be known until she is closer to 6-8 months old. However, she does very well with two 5 lb. Chihuahuas. Both of Nessie's back knees have been diagnosed as grade 2 luxating patellas. At this point she does not require surgery to correct the problem. There is a chance that she will never require surgery. However, her forever family must be prepared that she may need surgery at some point in the future. She will need to be kept on glucosamine/chondroitin and fish oil supplements, and her weight will need to be closely monitored. Nessie is such a little joy. She is full of puppy energy and kisses for those she loves. She will make a wonderful addition to her forever family's life!