Ivy had the chance to go home as an only dog. We had initially thought she would be okay. She was a very confident girl. Unfortunately, when she was without her other dogs, that confidence melted. Well, she is now back for a redo, and we have promised to get it right. Number one on Ivy's list in her forever home is another dog. It can't be just any dog, though. It has to be a confident well balanced dog, and definitely a large dog.

A little about Ivy from her foster mom. She's had a chance to come into her own personality, and at 8 months now, she is a bundle of energy. Luckily she has an off button, you won't know it until she has exhausted every playmate around. So, active dog partner is a must, one that loves to play, play, play. Ivy isn't happy just to sit and watch her playmate lay around and will bark at him until he gives in.

She is potty trained and crate trained. We are working on her manners in the house and puppy proofing is not a one-time thing with Ivy. She's a master of mischief and reminding you of what needs to have another place until she has gone through her puppy stage.

Ivy is also working on her commands and she has sit under her belt. Come is a different story. Did we say strong-willed? Not yet. Well, we've all seen the children who have the strong wills, the ones who look toward you when you call them. They actually listen to what you ask them to do, but you can see the wheels turning as they decide whether there is something they would rather do. Ivy's list of things that she would rather do as a 4 month old puppy is far longer than the list of things that you would rather have her do at any given moment, so we are still working on coming without the side eye glance and puppy bounce in the other direction. Add food or a treat to the mix, though, and she's right there in front of you.

Ivy has gone through her mouthing stage, so we haven't had to worry about the needle like teeth for a few weeks now.

If just hearing about a girl like Ivy wears you out, she probably isn't the one for you. Is she a challenge? Probably. Is she going to wear out before you do, unlikely. Will she learn and grow into a beautiful young lady in the right home, with the right dog as her mentor and the right family to go through training with her, to help her continue her socialization and make sure she has what she needs, absolutely. Will it be easy? Sometimes the perfect home comes alone, one that is out there just for a particular puppy and things just fall into place. Easy, possibly. If you are up for the little girl who will keep your other dog or dogs (yes, she does really well with two) busy and tired, if you're up for the little girl who test your patience and melt your heart at the same time, then Ivy just may be the one for you.

Because of Ivy's larger than life style, no young children, please, and no small dogs.

Ivy will continue to hone her skills while she waits for you with her foster brothers and sisters.

Please visit http://www.coastalk9gsr.org/to learn more about our dogs. Click on available dogs to see further descriptions. If you are interested in me, please contact us at [email protected] or call (858) 779-9149. Don't forget to fill out our online application

The minimum adoption donation ranges from $350 to $500. This amount only partially covers the cost of veterinary care, boarding fees, and other miscellaneous expenses involved in the temporary care and adoption of our dogs and is 100%% tax deductible.

Prior to placement, all dogs will be spayed or neutered, receive current vaccinations, and are usually microchipped. If not, arrangements will be made on an individual basis. Special consideration may be given to those willing to adopt older dogs or dogs with physical problems.

Our adoption process begins with completing an application on-line. A phone screening will soon follow, and lastly a home visit will be conducted by our volunteers.

We show our dogs at adoption events every weekend! Check our our website to see where we'll be next! Coastal German Shepherd Rescue of Southern California is a non-profit 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to finding loving homes for abandoned German Shepherds. Your tax deductible donations go to support these very deserving animals. Coastal was formed to serve communities in the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. We are committed to finding loving permanent homes for the orphaned dogs in our care. Coastal is an all volunteer, no-kill, 501 (c) 3 non profit organization.