CHAKA
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| This black beauty is 16 months old and ready for some stability.
Her original owner got her at 9 weeks, had a pack of four GSDs and a 4ft fence. She was kept outside so being the puppy she was, regularly jumped the fence. She was bred during her very first puppy heat and whelped a litter after which she was placed on Craig's List in search of new owner.
Our Southern Arizona volunteer Bridget caught this last posting and contacted us. Without a clue as to where to put her we, nevertheless, said to go get her provided you can keep her with you until we find a foster home. SHE DID.
So here we are again, begging for a parking spot for this beautiful lady that seemed to miss out on her "childhood" ...Not too late though! If we can get her into foster care, get her spayed and trained, she will be some very lucky someone's beautiful lady.
Chaka is great with kids, good with other dogs. She will chase cats...what GSD won't?...but hasn't hurt any. She does well with other dogs and is naturally protective. Chaka is housetrained, soon to be crate trained, chipped and we are currently trying to track down any vet records....stay tuned as we update her progress. Chaka is in Southern AZ and needs to have a place to go in Phoenix soon.... UPDATE 6/17: We've learned that Chaka's name is actually Darka and was either misunderstood or changed by the last owner who had her for only a little over 2 months. Her foster family has been evacuated from their home which is in serious jeopardy due to the Monument wild fire. They and the four dogs are currently sharing a small RV...they're safe but could be homeless if the fire isn't brought under control...it's less than a mile from the house. It goes without saying that, in addition to our prayers, we would like to lighten their load and get Chaka into another foster home ASAP. Meanwhile, here's an update Bridget sent: "Darka is doing well with all the commotion. She didn't have any problems moving up to the RV Park with us. She took it all in stride, slept well in the trailer too. We went and got a bite to eat at Subway the night we were evacuated and we sat outside with all four dogs. She just hung out, lied down with the gang while we ate, enjoyed watching the people come and go. The last two mornings, I walked her by herself instead of with the whole gang so I could do a little training with her. She knows sit, but it is not an immediate sit. I am teaching her to wait, down and walk on a loose leash (not a heel). When she is not with everyone, she walks beautifully on leash. She is the type that needs a brief reminder of who is in charge...a slight correction and she walked at my side with no pulling whatsoever almost in perfect heel, but without eye contact. When she is with everyone, she is bad. I am going to get some hot dogs, because I think she will focus better with them than what I have. The first day she played fetch with me...hasn't been interested since ;-(. She isn't having any issues with the crate, but we are going to leave her in it a little more as time permits. She has definitely been one of the easy ones...but she will need a clear leader; she is no mush pot, just a friendly, well behaved and confident girl. She was already alerting us to visitors (better than any of my worthless goofballs) on Monday, but once I told her it was ok and she saw they were friends, she couldn't help herself from greeting our visitor with kisses." This gal has high prey drive and will require an experienced handler/owner, She is out of import lines, small (60lbs) and will be great fun to work with. She will not be placed with cats, ferrets, toy breed dogs or livestock. Children are Okay however, diligent supervision will be necessary with visiting kids; Chaka will become very protective of "her kids" Completion of an approved group obedience class and ongoing socialization will be a part of her adoption contract after which she will be a super addition to your life. UPDATE 6/23:
The Monument fire is still raging and only 50% contained, however, now that the winds have died down, Chaka and her foster family have returned home which, thankfully, is still standing. They are still on an alert for any changes; some evacuation areas have been expanded and the main highway as well as many roads are still closed.
UPDATE JULY 3rd: Our friends and fosters Jim & Bridget are out of danger with respect to the now contained fires...we are so relieved. This also means back to the regular work schedule with limited time for their three dogs along with our high spirited Chaka. There are some Belgian Malinois fans in the area who pursue ring sport that met with Chaka and believe her to be a possible candidate for competing. This is a discipline requiring very high drive, focus and trainability which just goes to the need to repeat; Chaka is a very balanced dog, however, not for the faint of heart. She will need to channel her drives with an owner dedicated to leadership, training and keeping her very bright mind busy. It's time to get our gal spayed and ready for forever..we need a Phoenix area foster with some experience.
We're working on trying to get her spayed where she is, before she goes into heat..hopefully very soon....but a qualified foster in the Phoenix area would be even better. UPDATE 8/5: Chaka was vetted in Tucson today and is now spayed and vaccinated. Following a week for recovery we would like to get her up to Phoenix and start working with and showing her. Again, handling/training experience preferred. UPDATE 9/16: Chaka/Darka has an exceptional working type temperament and would do best with someone with the time and commitment to pursue a specific activity..perhaps SAR, flyball, obedience, Schutzhund, agility...SOMETHING into which her wonderful drives can be channeled. She will not do well staring at 4 walls all day or languishing in the backyard with only occasional walks. She had an infection in her incision a few weeks post spay, had a subsequent surgery and has long since healed..good as new but another $400.00. We want very much to get her up to Phoenix and start training and showing her..surely there's someone out there who can appreciate this beautie's potential??? UPDATE 9/25: This past weekend, our little spitfire came up to Mesa for a brief visit while her foster Mom attended a fly-ball practice with her own dog. Unfortunately we were on the other side of town showing a dog so we were unable to connect before they had to head out for the long drive back home. Here's the update we received upon their return: "Everything went well in Phx this weekend. Darka travels well and did great in her crate at the hotel. She needs work on focusing...lots of stimulation there, but she is making progress. Like I said...wish I had more time! She walked on leash side-by-side with two female Staffordshire Terrier mixes and a male Papillion and did very well. She definitely still has puppy in her though...I'll do what I can with her, with the time I have. Next Sunday we start swimming/dock diving lessons!!" We are stilll looking for someone with experience to foster Chaka/Darka in the Phoenix area so that we can get her into training and ultimately her forever home. OCTOBER FOSTER REPORT....Chaka trains for dock diving "Hi Stef- Well...Darka was her confident self today...don't really think she had been swimming before, but she walked up the dock steps and came right down the floating dock ramp into the pool where I was. I encouraged her with a slight nudge...and in the pool she went.
I'll continue to work on the basics when I get free time...otherwise she is doing great and is a total sweetheart. ...She is quite affectionate too, compared to my female at least. I'll try to get you some updated photos sometime soon. Her coat is really beautiful and has just a bit of waviness to it...really pretty!" UPDATE 11/7: We're working on getting Chaka up to Phoenix within the next two weeks; she will have to get past some new dog friend intros first. Meantime, here's a short visdo of our star pupil taken this week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVlVryrFFFo UPDATE 11-11-11: Chaka made a trip to L.A. this past weekend and here's her foster Mom's report: "Hi Stef-
We didn't take photos this weekend, but I thought I'd write you to let you know that Chaka did wonderful on our trip to LA. She loves to travel and is great in the vehicle. She had a great time walking around downtown Pasadena...wasn't bothered a bit by the people, traffic, buses, noises. Our room was on the 5th floor of the hotel, she went up and down the elevator without any trouble and we got countless comments about what a nice dog she is. At my sister-in-laws house she spent the day with an UN-neutered male Rhodesian Ridgeback, and was very well behaved. They played a little, but she didn't pay him much attention once she found out there was a cat in the house; she was re-focused. Luckily, their cat is not the least bit afraid of dogs...he sat on the counter-top and let her stare him down, once she nudged him, he swatted her and she backed up. We didn't let them have too much interaction, but she was very focused on the cat the whole time we were at their house. I have no doubt that if the cat ran, she would have taken off chasing...what she would do when she caught up, I'm not so sure. Chaka is by far the most confidant and stable foster I've had and I absolutely don't want to let her go, but I know I have to. I believe it will be an honor to own this girl and she will make someone a very lucky person!" UPDATE 11/18: Chaka's in town! She will be moving to her new, local foster home tomorrow, providing all of the dogs get along...stay tuned for updates... UPDATE 11/21:
Our little black beauty has settled into her Phoenix foster home very nicely. She and Bosco the Malamute are fast friends..yes, fast, this athletic gal is super fleet of foot. The photos below were taken on Saturday upon her arrival in Phoenix.....finally.
Stop by & meet me..SUNDAY, DEC 4th EVENT ...I'll be there at 12:30pm UPDATE 12/8: Chaka joined us last Sunday and showed us her more spirited side, especially when a group of toy breeds assembled nearby; that sure did push her prey buttons! Nevertheless, she was responsive to leadership and had a minor attitude adjustment with a walk around the venue with volunteer Sharon. Once again, a confident, knowledgeable leader is what Chaka responds to best.
Her foster Dad discovered that Chaka is indeed, still a puppy and capable of doing in a pair of tennis shoes, etc. Yes, if left with too much latitude or time on her paws, Chaka will find her own way to stay busy ;-0) If you are interested in fostering Chaka, please read about OUR FOSTER PROGRAM and submit a Foster Application (found on the Foster Program page). UPDATE AUGUST 2012: In late June we moved Chaka out of her foster home and into in-home training with our trainer.
This beautiful, high drive lady is now about two and a half years old, fully trained and looking for an active lifestyle with a GSD knowledgeable handler. She is smart, too high in prey for small dogs or cats, and knows her obedience. She is currently being tested for scent work but would make an excellent companion for someone with time for her..could that be YOU? UPDATE 10/23/12: Our little spit-fire is still at in-home training with our trainer Tino of Quality K9. They have been doing scent work and testing, specifically for cancer detection, an area of personal interest to our founder. So far, Chaka has been doing well and really enjoys "working". She is finally showing an ability to focus on the task at hand which we felt, all along, would be possible once she had someone qualified to work with her. There is still more testing to be done; Tino is awaiting new scent packets from the organization interested in using her. We are still seeking an owner willing, able and qualified to continue this endeavor with her (provided she proves capable) and possibly being involved with the group doing cancer detection with dogs, as we want her to remain a house and family dog first and foremost and will not place her in a kenneled situation. Adoption fee $425.00.
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The well meaning new owners didn't do much breed research, already had several terriers and they too, had barely any fencing at all in a rural aea; what a surprise when she wandered off the property! Thankfully they did keep her inside during her second heat cycle.
Needless to say, we were quite concerned about an intact youngster yet again being re-homed via Craig's List and in less than 3 months since the last time.
