More about Sheba, 500+ days into her residency at Santa Fe Animal Shelter, featuring foster notes and photos from over the years
To start with some good news, senior shelter longtimers Chevy and Soldat, the blind shepherd, have been adopted! We're hoping the community can keep our wins coming.
Sheba, at nearly 4 years-old, is now the longest term resident of Santa Fe Animal Shelter. I cannot stress the resiliency this kind of stay requires, especially for a dog as intelligent and people-loving as Sheba. Like most young, smart, social longtimers, Sheba often doesn't "present well" in the kennel - she's in there alone 23 hours a day and wants to maximize her time out!
This December, Sheba spent several weeks in foster care, where she absolutely thrived. Her foster noted that Sheba was inquisitive, but not destructive, flawlessly house-trained, took very well to crate training, and was fine alone in the house for long stretches. Sheba showed nice manners greeting visitors - she really does love people - and met a few dogs without issue. In fact, during a morning walk Sheba was approached by an off-leash dog and handled this surprise beautifully!
Sheba's many volunteer friends can also sing her praises: for all her exuberance, Sheba gives the sweetest snuggles and dainty kisses, has a singular sense of humor (I swear she can wink), is game for any adventure, plus she's gorgeous! those velvety triangle ears melt me every time.
You might hear dogs like Sheba referred to as "high-energy" - she does have a big brain and can sometimes use it for mischief, like escaping a yard to chase deer (this got her returned by adopters). In her foster home, Sheba was increasingly mellow as the decompression wore off - I've seen many so-called high energy dogs become couch potatoes when they're away from shelter stress. Newly adopted dogs generally shouldn't be off-leash and unattended, even in a yard, during their adjustment periods, and a wily girl like Sheba may always need secure fencing (Santa Fe's pet recovery expert, Michelle Lord, is a big fan of coyote rollers - cheap and easy to install!)
To adopt Sheba, give her another foster break, or just learn more, call or visit Santa Fe Animal Shelter 7 days a week. Reminder that the warm weather means local shelter and rescue populations will soon be sky high - it's a great time to become a volunteer!
Photos are from Sheba's time in foster and 1.5 years of HAT outings (volunteers reading, Sheba would also love another one of those!)