4/23/08: This cute little girl is Savannah. We just got her two days ago, so she hasn't seen the vet yet about her cherry eyes. We'll get them fixed at the same time she's spayed. Savannah is young, probably 1-2 years and is very playful. She is a fawn horsecoat. Savannah loves other dogs and people. She is starved for attention and her behavior indicates that she may have been mistreated at some time in her short life.

Savannah was picked up as a stray and nobody came to claim her. So sad, but whoever adopts her will be getting a sweet girl to call their own.

6/1/08: Savannah is really ready for her new home so she can have her own family. Savannah is a sweet girl and she loves to play. Are you the family that Savannah longs for?

6/16/08: Savannah is in her new foster home and is really thriving. Here's a word from Christopher:

"She growled at Rahner over toys and a rawhide bone but she mellowed out in about 15 minutes.  I gave her two bones which she ate like she was hungry as heck.  She told us when she had to go outside and really made herself at home in no time at all.

She bounces like her front paws are on springs.  It's pretty funny.  She begged alot when I ate lunch, and when Brooke and I left the room and cleared the table, we came back to find her on TOP of our new dining room table, sniffing around.  She lacks some basic manners, but that will only take a couple days to straighten out.  She's done really well.  Lexie was a real project compared to this one.  I'm interested to see how she does at night, especially in the crate.

No problems on the leash whatsoever and she seemed happy to go outside; I walked her and Rahner side-by-side, no problems.

Oh, and Grace...Grace woke up from her nap and called us, and Savannah couldn't figure out where the voice was coming from.  I told Gracie that we had a surprise for her and we all went into Grace's room.  Savannah started bouncing and licked Grace through the crib.  Grace went up to her in the TV room and she was super gentle, gave her kisses and stood up, but didn't jump on her.  Grace looked at Savannah and said, "Where Lexie?""

6/18/08: FROM SAVANNAH:  My name is Savannah.  I used to have a different name, but I didn't hear
it very often so I've forgotten what it was.  But I like my new name.  Mynew foster parents came to an animal shelter to pick me up weeks agobefore they also ended up fostering me.  I was a stray because I brokeaway from the chain which kept me outside all the time.  There were stilla couple links hanging from my collar.  No one ever came to claim me, Iguess they didn’t miss me, or else didn’t even notice I was gone.

My new foster Daddy says I’m a little firecracker, full of energy andalways looking to give and get affection of any kind.  He says I'm a Velcro dog ”also, but I think'’m just being myself!  I have never met a human stranger and I am gentle as can be with my foster family'stwo-year-old daughter.

I'm house trained but have some minor issues with my in-home manors, but I'm working on that, and you can't blame me since I wasn't really taken care of before.  I love sleeping in my crate at night and I'm quiet as can be in the house.  I like chew toys and I LOVE food, bones and treats.  I initially show some aggression toward other dogs that I don't know but it is short-lived and I get along with my foster folks' Shepherd.  I'm really a great dog, I just have one quirk:  I am food aggressive, but only toward other dogs.  I think I might get over that eventually, but it will take some work.  I haven't completely gotten over my history and still have some physical and emotional scars from it.  I hope my forever family will
understand that and continue working with me on it. People (and even toddlers) can give me food or remove my food, or touch me while I'm eating.  But another dog (even one I really get along with and
play with for hours) can set me off when food is around, or when I think food is around, even when we both have the same treats.

If you are looking for a high-energy, high-affection Shar Pei with a lot of love to give PLEASE consider making me a part of your family.

Love,
Savannah

8/22/08: Well, Savannah has spent the last three weeks in training learning basic obedience, which she sorely needed. She knows the basic commands, but to be effective, she will need daily practice - just like us, right? Savannah is a very sweet girl and desperately needs her own home where she can get lots of love and play time. We are sure that once Savannah feel safe and comfortable in her own home, she will settle into the family routine very easily and make a great pet.

Here's what Savannah's personal trainer says about her: "Pulling is something I would encourage you to discourage. She is strong and will use her weight to get her way, so be consistent and insist that she does not pull. She also likes to force her way through doors. It is important that you make her sit before the door is opened and you always go out the door first. It may help if you back out the door if needed. Savannah is very energetic and needs lots of attention and would do well with someone who can work with and play with her. She needs to have lots of praise, but make sure that it is given in a calm manner to keep her from getting too excited. I would also recommend that she attend a group class at some point. She would benefit greatly from this. I really enjoyed working with Savannah. She is a great dog and should do well with consistence and exercise. Thank you for the opportunity to work with her." Jennie Jones, Kindred Spirits Dog Training, Wartrace TN.

Please think about giving Savannah the home she so desperately deserves.