Satchel's Last Resort

My name is Winter. I don't remember who named me. In the course of my life it was a very long time ago. I am six years old and am looking for a home. You see, I was at Animal Control when I was a puppy, but the family who took me home never did anything normal people do for a new pet. I was put out in a yard and never played with. They fed me, but I never met any other people or animals. It was a pretty lonely existence and they weren't very nice people.

When I was year old, they took me back to that place they got me from and I was terrified. I had no idea what was going on. I was surrounded by sounds and things I had never seen before. It scared me so bad I just huddled in my kennel and shook. The people there were nice and tried to give me as much time as I needed to overcome all my fear, but you know how it is when you work, and extra time to spend trying to socialize a scaredy-cat like me was not at the top of job duties. They did keep me almost a year, but I didn't get any better.

Because I am really such a nice dog, just have this scared thing going on, they called Satchel's and I live here now. I am still scared, but not as much. I am scared to walk. I am scared of cars and car rides. You should see them trying to get me in a car to go to the vet's office. It would be quite hilarious if it wasn't so sad. I am scared of new people, new animals and new things. I stay in my crate in my kennel and peek out to watch what is going on.

A new person began spending time with me a month or so ago and is trying to help me overcome my fear. She thinks I am a wonderful dog and tells me so all the time. No one has ever done that before and I really like that. She whispered in my ear that I wasn't really a hound/shepherd mix but a beautiful hound/ridgeback mix. I don't have the ridge, but have a face just like a ridgeback. I, of course, am clueless as to what that means, but it makes me feel good anyway.

If you think you have the time to continue to work on my confidence and need a good dog to make you feel safe, then ask someone at Satchel's about me. I am going to continue my classes and am what my friend calls, "A work in progress." Once again, I haven't a clue what that means. Maybe you do. I would love to go to a quiet home, with a nice couple, or even a nice lady and learn how to be a dog again. I am trying to play, but sometimes become confused and scared. Then I think I am doing something wrong, my head drops back down and I stop. I am working on that, too.

I am going to keep working on my confidence but please feel free to come and meet me. I may be just the dog you are looking for.

WINTER
Hound/Shepherd mix / Male / Born May 2003/ 70 pounds