Roxie (ADOPTED!) is a 5-6 year old, 34 lb., Australian shepherd & Australian cattle dog mix. She is a very calm, easy going and happy girl. Roxie is friendly with everyone - people, dogs and cats. She will want to be in the same room with you, but is NOT clingy. Although her choice is to hang out with her people and be part of whatever is going on, she is also fine and very quiet, when left alone for several hours. Roxie is a moderate energy girl - young enough to be energetic and playful, yet old enough to be calm and relaxed, until you give the signal that it's time to do something.
Roxie has a very balanced personality - neither dominant nor extremely submissive. She meets other dogs easily and is friendly with cats. She does not react when another dog barks or nips at her. She tries to avoid any confrontations.
Roxie is a very bright and perceptive girl. She learns and figures out things quickly. She also has that cattle dog way of thinking for herself. Roxie listens well, will come when called, although sometimes she has selective hearing, when she has something better to do. We have discovered that she knows a few commands, including sit and speak. Roxie is completely housebroken, and enjoys resting in a cave-like crate, if one is available. Walking on leash, she does pull a bit in her excitement to go out and explore. When outside, she loves to spend her time looking for lizards or little creatures in the shrubs and bushes.
She rides fairly well in a car, either in a crate or the back seat. However, it would be best to take her on short car trips to fun places, as she seems concerned about where she is being taken, and at first may whimper softly in the back seat.
Roxie and her sister were surrendered to an overcrowded kill shelter by their owners, whose only reason was that they were moving. We don't know what happened to Roxie, but she will jump away in fear if touched in some areas. Roxie will happily greet new people, with a wagging tail, but remain a safe distance away from being touched by strangers. Visits to the veterinarian have not turned up any obvious injuries. She clearly loves human companionship and wants to be close to people, but seems afraid that a human touch could hurt her. Roxie follows her foster mom from room to room. She also frequently leans against her foster mom's legs, or crawls into her lap, with her head down, requesting affection. She will stay very still and seems to enjoy being petted for several minutes. However, at other times she feels uneasy about being touched, squeaking in fear and jumping back.
Roxie is a wonderful companion, with a friendly, happy, go-with-the-flow personality. With a little help from dedicated, loving people, who she will grow to trust, we believe she can overcome her touch sensitivity, and beome a perfect dog!