Contributed by Sue Fujimoto
We’d like you to meet Phantom! Phantom is a sweet girl who is still learning how to be an inside dog and adjust to being around people and strange things. We first met Phantom when she was brought to the shelter after running loose for quite some time. She was trapped and did bite the leash handler at the time she was caught. At the shelter, she was fearful and would initially cower in the corner of her kennel, and had difficulty walking on a leash. Since that time, she has improved greatly and become a more curious and engaging dog, and is happy to see people she recognizes come to her kennel to take her out. She does still revert to fearful behavior when she is taken to an unfamiliar location or around people she does not know. If adopted, she will need adequate time to adjust to her new home and routine as she will likely hide until she feels comfortable. Phantom cannot be let off leash as she will run and not come back, and will be difficult to catch or trap again. She does not have any recall and will require a securely fenced yard for exercise. As with any fearful dog, moving too fast or challenging the dog when they are afraid may lead to biting, so caution is paramount with Phantom. Phantom will require continued training and socialization to become a confident dog, and an owner with the patience and ability to understand her behavior.
Phantom has expressed a desire to be near other dogs and has started to become playful, especially around dogs that are her size or a little smaller. Loud or large rowdy dogs tend to scare her, but she may enjoy the company of another well-mannered dog in her future home. With her spookiness in strange places and desire to run or hide, a quiet home with adults or older children would be best.
Phantom is a special girl who needs a special home, and so we are offering her as a special adoption, by appointment only. The shelter will take appointments for 1 week and make their decision based on which adopters will provide the best home for Phantom. If you’d like to come down and meet her at the Shelter please call 746-5500 to set up an appointment.
