Professor Penny aka Penny is a kind and gentle soul whose love for her family and friends is felt deeply. She is a 45 pound Australian Shepherd/Australian Cattle Dog mix. Penny was rescued as a stray when she was about a year old. When she was rescued she was not spayed, was covered in ticks, and knew nothing about living in a home.
Four years later she is the perfect respectful family member with lots of new skills! Her lovable docile nature has made her a fan favorite at her vet and groomers. Her family has always been obsessed with her little tail that she enthusiastically wags up and down when excited. Unfortunately, her owners are looking to find a new home for Penny. After the introduction of the family's first child, Penny's anxiety has increased, and has caused strained relationships between Penny and the family's cats.
Penny is house trained and was crate trained when she was first rescued, however her behavior is so good that she is now left alone out of her crate with no incidents. She loves to walk and smell what her neighbors are up to! She is great on her leash, but is leash reactive to some dogs. On walks, Penny is happy smelling her smells and doesn't pay attention to small animals like squirrels. She is a very polite walker and knows to stop at each crosswalk.
Like all Aussies, Penny wants a job and in her current home her job is fetch! She takes this role very seriously. She finds fetch is best done with one particular ball and would love a home where that one ball could be thrown for hours! Or at least in a home where she can be given a variety of physical and mental stimulation. Penny also loves to be part of the weekly yard work. She will politely follow the push mower around and drop her ball at your feet until you throw it.
Penny fully believes that the cheese tax is legally binding. She has never taken food from countertops, tables or anywhere else she is not supposed to, but stays close when cheese might be dropped. She also believes all delivery people should be watched closely and will tell you when your mail or packages have arrived.
Penny’s previous life is a mystery, but it has left her with a weariness to new people, especially men, and new situations. On daily medication and with patience she has flourished and has welcomed many people into her circle of trust. Her new family should have experience with positive reinforcement training and be ready to provide support to get Penny comfortable in a new home.
Penny has lived with an infant for the past 9 months and has done great with her new pack member. She showed no stress to the crying and unpredictability of the newborn. She has also interacted with many kids from 2-6 and loves them all. When she sees her tiny friends she wags her tail and immediately rolls on her back to receive their love. We think she would be best in a home with slightly older kids as they would understand her boundaries. Penny also has no concept of personal space and will use her paw to tell you when she needs more attention. This behavior could be challenging to manage with smaller children.
Penny has shown little interest in playing with other dogs. At the dog park she would rather play fetch with her owner than bound with other dogs. Penny's feline friends will tell you she is a natural herder, but after the change in her home environment with the addition of their baby, Penny has shown increasing anxiety and aggression towards cats. Penny’s new home should be cat free and Penny is likely best as an only dog.
Penny is the sweetest lady you will ever meet, and is bursting with love and affection to give. Penny’s owners are hoping she can find a family where she can thrive!