Cassie

I am delighted to introduce you to Cassie, a Labrador Retriever approximately 4 years old. Cassie came into our rescue as a stray after recently weaning her last of several litters. Three days after she came to me as her foster Cassie was spayed and topped the scales at a whopping 45 kilos. Once healed from her surgery we embarked on a daily walking schedule gradually increasing the distance that now hits 6-9 km over 4 or 5 walks each day.

After 2 weeks she had lost 1.2 kilos and was on her way. At the writing of her bio Cassie has lost about 2 kilos. As her stamina increased Cassie couldn’t get enough of being outdoors and looked forward to our hikes in the conservation areas nearby. Once the hatch to my suv is up Cassie hops right in and sits to have her tether attached. She is a great passenger and sits quietly or lies down on longer trips.

Cassie is an extremely gentle, placid, laid back dog. She took to walking on leash very quickly and rarely pulls unless she wants to stop and smell something. She now has a spring in her step and her tail wags almost nonstop. Cassie will adapt her pace to the person who is walking her. In the morning we usually go at a faster pace than later in the day. On our walks in my neighbourhood Cassie met many dogs, almost all much smaller.

Initially they barked or growled at her, probably intimidated by her size. Cassie just stood quietly at about a 2 metre distance wagging her tail. By the second or third meeting the smaller dog went right up to Cassie and they did the usual nose and butt sniffing. Cassie’s

whole demeanor is calm and friendly. On our hikes we’ve encountered several toddlers. She just stands quietly and lets them pet her gently. My neighbours have nicknamed Cassie the gentle giant.

Cassie has no issues with cars, motorcycles or large trucks on our walks but she did have a reaction to a bicyclist. She slept soundly through a recent thunderstorm. She was startled by hunters rifle shots in the distance (we live rurally).

For the first week Cassie followed me everywhere. Once she felt comfortable in my home she started to let me out of her sight and take a nap in another room while I worked elsewhere in the house. When I work in the kitchen she often likes to lie full out in the

middle of the room and I have to step over her. She takes up a lot of space. An essential for Cassie is a round 3’ bed. She spends much of her down time curled up on one of the two I have for her.

Cassie craves affection. When I take her out of her crate in the morning she leans right into me for a long head rub and body rub before we can leave the bedroom to go for our first walk of the day. She often comes up to me during the day looking for a body rub. If you lie down beside her on the floor Cassie automatically rolls over for a tummy rub. She adores being brushed which I do a few times each day since she is a shedder. When I am on my yoga mat Cassie will sometimes just watch me from her bed or try and join me for a cuddle. She’s getting used to my exercise routine and curls up nearby until I’m done and can pay her attention. Cassie is usually very patient but will occasionally do a soft woof to let me know she wants my attention. When I had 7 people over for a barbeque recently Cassie went up to meet each one and then took her chew bone to the grass. She remained there quietly, occasionally coming to the deck for a pet. She chose to bury her bone so well some of us had to go on a hunt for it. She acts the same with company inside the house, greeting people and getting a pat and then curling up on her bed nearby and taking a nap or watching us.

Once Cassie felt my home was hers she discovered her voice. When someone comes to the door she barks to alert me. Once she was in a deep sleep and popped up and ran to the door barking when she heard a doorbell on the tv.

When I crate Cassie to leave the house she usually barks for about 5 minutes before she settles. Because of this tendency Cassie would not be a suitable dog for an apartment or condo. Ideally she would need a home preferably with a fenced in yard where she could wander and sniff and use up some of her energy. She spends a lot of time outdoors in my garden on a 30 foot long line since my yard is not fenced in. One of her favourite things to do is roll over and over in the grass.

It’ s both delightful and comical to watch.

Cassie has discovered toys and she has a few favourites. We will play indoor fetch down the hall but that only lasts for 3 or 4 throws. We have tried fetch on a nearby field on a 50 foot long line and again that only lasts for a few tosses. Cassie is a large dog and her runs down the hallway are not very graceful. I never fail to laugh at her gallumping after her toy. She has her favourite rubber duck which she uses to let me know if she wants to be petted, play or go out. It’s usually accompanied by a soft whine of anticipation.

In the house you’d never know Cassie was there. She’s very quiet unless someone comes to the door. At night after our walk she settles quickly in her crate for the night and doesn’t stir until I get up.

Cassie would be best in a home with a family with children over the age of 8 who could share in the responsibility of the exercise she needs to both continue her weight loss and maintain her weight. A combination of fetch, chase, walks, hikes are essential for Cassie.

A family who enjoy the outdoors and being active would be ideal. If you think your family is up for the challenge of a loveable gentle dog with lots of energy please give Cassie your consideration. She is a treasure.