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Area Code: 703
State: Virginia
Country: USA
Type: Dog
Status: Active
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Breed: Great Dane
Gender: Female Spayed
Age: 3 years
Age Group: Adult
Size: Very Large
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Description: MAGDRL only adopts to approved adopters in NY, NJ, PA MD, DE, Wash. D.C.,VA WV, NC & Upstate SC.
Lucy is a 3 year old merle female with natural ears. Lucy has lived outside by herself all her life. She came up from Georgia when her owners divorced. Her dad moved to the area and brought Lucy with him. He ended up renting a basement and couldn't keep Lucy, so she went to a friend. The friend couldn't keep her either, so she went to the friend's mother and then to the animal shelter. Lucy takes 10-15 minutes to warm up to you and after that it's all leans and velcro. She seems to take to women faster than men, but Jeff got his share of leans when she got used to him. She is not house broken or crate trained. She is used to the shelter staff and they can pick her feet up, look at her teeth, give her big, tight hugs, but she doesn't seem to be a kisser. She walks well on the gentle leader and enjoys her daily walks with the shelter staff and volunteers. Lucy came to MAGDRL in November 2004. (5)
Update 3/20/05 - Lucy has come a long way since November. She is very much a people dog and loves leans and pets. She is much better in her kennel and does not poop unless left in there for over 7 hours. She was also tested in a crate and did very well. So with just a bit of show and tell and regular visits outside Lucy should be fine in the house and in a crate. Chewing in the house is an unknown. She is very possessive of her toys but that might change too when she is not surrounded by a shelter full of dogs. She will likely always be a dominate dog that likes to jump on other dogs. She also will need to go to classes to get more socialization. Lucy has thrived on all the attention from the shelter staff, her coat looks wonderful and she has really progressed. She is ready to find that foster family that will take her to the next level or a forever home that is willing to work with her and looking for a wonderful companion with the ability to grown and learn.
Update 1/28/06 - Lucy is a gentle little girl who is on a diet to loose a lot of extra weight. She has come out of her shell nicely. She was once so afraid of people you couldn't get near her. Now, she now only comes to the door to greet you, but sits and waits nicely for you to open the door. Lucy loves stuffed toys - the bigger the better. She has one she will not give up, yet when she takes them outside and leaves them she expects you to fetch. She has us well trained in retrieving. Lucy is still shy and afraid of children.
Update 7/11/06 - Lucy is a playful girl who is shy at first but comes around quickly. She has learned to sit for her meals and wait quietly for her turn to run the yard. She is the only Dane currently in residence who can run with another dog, so she and Blue have a grand time until he gets tired and needs his rest. She can go for hours and never seem to get tired. Children should be Dane savvy and other pets her size but she would love anyone who gives her a stuffed toy...the bigger the better.
Update 9/1/06 - It was apparent form the start that after being in a kennel for two years, Lucy wasn’t used to a whole lot, but is getting her bearings pretty quickly. She’s settling in and learning the routine, she patiently waits her turn for attention and yard time and house time. She is Velcro, unbelievably sweet and affectionate, a great couch cuddler and extra pillow or foot rest. She's not been socialized with other dogs so she’s immature for a 4 year old; Everything is new and exiting and a little scary all at the same time but she's sooo eager to please and be loved that I think with proper training she can be taught to do anything.
She does have some fear aggression issues with other dogs and can come on a little strong, which doesn’t bode well with my big guy, who’s not a true dominant dog, but not submissive either. We had a rocky start with those two but they seem to be negotiating a civilized relationship, she’s beginning to approach him more calmly and he’s being more patient. However, we do walk them together and their fine, walking side by side bumping torsos every other step with no sign of conflict. Lucy loves to go on walks; she is okay on a lead, but needs a little work, We’ve started reinforcing her ”Heel" training as well as sit, stay and lay-down, she’s responding well.
When my brother, a stocky 6'3", came over, she barked and growled from inside her crate, guess he scared her a bit, but when he let her out of her crate, after all that scary noise, she just looked up wagged her tail as if to say "Hi I'm Lucy, who are you?" and proceeded to the yard to relieve herself. I recently had a small dinner party and when it was her turn to join the fun, she had a blast.
She’s very gentle with adult humans, just drops her head and leans in for pets. She’s a little rough with dogs, though we’re trying to teach her dogs are people too and she needs to be gentle with them as well , She's an unbelievably sweet loving dog and deserves a loving home; whoever adopts her will be lucky to have her. And, oh my gosh, the cutest thing to see when she's being silly tossing her toys in the air and loping around the yard.
Update 9/26/06 - After an incident in her foster home with a small dog, Lucy is back in a kennel. She will not be placed with cats or small dogs. She should not be placed with dogs less than 90 lbs and we recommend older dog savvy teens and adults only.
Update 2/9/07 - Lucy continues to make progress while away for "socialization" at CCK&T. While I do still have a soft muzzle on her when out in play group, she has definitely relaxed and is learning how to interact w/ dogs again. She actually is exhibiting a desire to play with some of the dogs. At first, she would charge them and then "jump" them. Now, she runs towards them and appears to want to run and chase with the other dogs. Her overly dominant behavior is much more toned down now and she no longer tries to crane her neck over the other dogs shoulders. Her eyes and entire body have "softened" as she is realizing she is not being threatened. Lucy can hang out in the office with me without the muzzle while Angel and Travis lounge on their beds. She appears disinterested in them once she sees who they are. She is quite the cuddle bug and thrives on attention from humans. I believe she would be a wonderful, loving companion in the right household.
Update 7/24/08 - Lucy continues to do really well in her foster home. She has finally decided to trust the man (after 8 months) in the house and is doing really well with him. She makes improvements and she no longer has to be gated when visitors come by, but that is after 1.5 years of building trust with the foster mom. Unfortunately it would probably take a good amount of time for a new person to take that lead role and come to the same improvements. So, adopters would have to have serious patience and understanding to help her bring out her true personality.
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Home Restrictions
Inside Only
No Cats
No Children
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