Ruby

8/22/2025

I watched the local news and heard how the shelters are giving their animals away – a “clear the shelves” kind of deal. It is then that I know how much harder it will be for Ruby to find a home. This saddens me because unlike those shelter animals, this girl is given one-on-one undivided attention. During this time she is trained numerous commands daily and helped to overcome any fears, anxiety, or unwanted behaviors. She spends hours a day with myself and is surrounded only by people who took the time to know her. NEVER has she ever complained or acted out. Always displays a fantastic attitude no matter what situation she is in. 100% a sweetheart of a canine. For all those things I know she doesn’t care for; how does she reward me? With a bundle of excitement every time I leave and come back. Looks to be close and wants to be my bestie all the time. Never lets me down with laughs and happiness.

Though I am very happy for all the animals who were adopted in the giveaways, I am just concerned that Ruby’s achievements and kindness will be overlooked or outweighed for the word “Free.” Take the time to know a beautiful girl inside and out. She’s WORTH IT. I PROMISE.

8/15/2025

Ruby still loves to play with Charlie. Most of all, she loves to play with me. Chasing one another around the table in the dog yard, she cheats a little and will run up over it with ease to jump on me. It gets her excited and the zoomies will have her doing figure 8s for fun. She is so much more comfortable now in her new environment. So many people come to say “Hi” to her now and many are recognized immediately.

Funny thing she did: I was sitting at my desk filling out my daily routine schedule and she started barking at me. This was out of the ordinary. I ask her what she wanted. She kept on it and I said, “What do you want?” So we wrestled some and I tried to finish my schedule. Still she barked and jumped up on the desk. So I gave her something to eat. Again she barked. I said, “Are you barking at me?” Then she ran to the door and put both paws on the door. I hit the intercom and outside we went. All that to take a pee. I was laughing so hard. She’s a gem.

8/8/2025

I believe we all feel more comfortable and relaxed when surrounded with people we know or an environment we are familiar with. Ruby is the same way. When inside with 60 to 70 people around, along with all the loud noises, she is a little nervous. When she first came here, she wanted no part of it. Now Ruby sits among us all and lays down as well. Though she still isn't 100% relaxed, consistently introducing her has helped her cope tremendously. If another canine friend is near, she feels much better. Outside, her tail always wags because this is her comfort zone. Even though not everything has her 100% relaxed, this girl has always been extremely friendly to both people and canines. Most important thing of all is she'll ALWAYS dish out friendship and love. Very kind soul.



8/1/2025

On any given day, Ruby will have a hundred plus people around her. This new environment had her very uncomfortable. She kept her tail tucked and shook because of constant doors slamming, people yelling, intercoms blaring, and new faces approaching all the time. You could see it wasn’t anything she experienced before. She just wanted to get away and go outside to her “feel good” safe zone.’

So every day I would and still do take her to those uncomfortable places and hang out for her to see everything is okay. Now she has a good size fan base who meet her daily to say ‘Hi’ in that same dayroom. Ruby also lays down belly up for people to rub as well. Outside will always be her favorite area, but she no longer tries to escape to that safe zone. Throughout it all, this girl has passed two obedience levels in that same dayroom and ALWAYS has been a total sweetheart. Her personality is impeccable and she’ll win every situation with kindness.

7/25/2025

Ruby looks forward to her play time with Charlie and Ellie every day. Charlie seems to be her favorite though. Most of her time she looks for shade in the heat to relax in. She frequently strolls with her adorable strut to the wading pool for a quick dip to cool down on her own.

This girl is so much more comfortable off leash. Her recall is fantastic and you can count on her to stay by your side. There could be a parade of other canines in her view and if you tell her to stay, she's ALL IN – a very trustworthy canine.

Her favorite words are "Do you want to eat?", "Want to go outside?", "Go for a walk", and "Ready to go in?" She jumps and spins with joy every time. If you are looking for a very soft-coated, lovable dog who will give you it right back all the time, Ruby is the one.

7/18/2025

I think Ruby has mastered how to look so in shape using very little energy. She LOVES to eat. If you mention anything about "eating" – "Do you want something to eat?" or "It's time to eat" – her excitement level has her paw smacking me, jumping off my chest, and giving kisses. More energy is burned during dinner time than most of her day (he, he)! She spends time with me in the yard when it's not raining, and socializing with many others inside when it does. We started side by side treadmill walking. It still needs some work, but she does just fine. It keeps her motivation away from "chill mode." We now wrestle with one another. She loves it. Approaching her at any time is so easy that she now has a huge fan base already. Just so cuddly.

7/112025

Watching Ruby and Ellie Mae team up on any boy dog off-leash is so comical. Charlie nor Shadow know what to do except run. It’s like young schoolyard play. Ruby will now go jump in our leaking dog pool on her own. What once was hesitation and uncertain to her is now enjoyable – sitting and occasionally laying down in the cool water on hot days. If you like it outside, she loves it. A comfort to her. She is such a friendly canine. If you want a dog to hang out with you on or off leash, Ruby is that dog. Listens very well and is unreactive to other canines in close proximity. Most important – she is 100% lovable!

6/27/2025

Ellie Mae and Ruby are now playing for longer durations. Ruby hops like a bunny rabbit and spins like a bucking horse during play. It is great to see her spunk revealed. She gets so excited to see me after I leave for a good amount of time. Running all through the hut spinning, circling, bouncing off me, and jumping on the bed to a belly up position for some affection. When asked if she wants to “eat” or “go for a walk” her excitement has her tail wagging and a smiley face with barks. Ruby likes the new boy on the block, Charlie. The two wrestle around on leash and play off leash already. I’m positive you could take her anywhere without a leash or any problems whatsoever. Just a relaxed girl all the time.

Ruby has learned to trust others a little more. She still likes smaller crowds. All basic commands understood now. She still struggles with loud noises and crowds over 10 people. Seems to be getting a lot more comfortable in her new environment and now recognizes many people when seen. Introductions to larger crowds and repeated door slams are still on our daily agenda.

06/20/2025

Ruby REALLY loves to be outside hangin by my side.  She comes every time when called and flops to her belly up position hoping to get a belly rub.  If I leave the dog yard only for a few minutes and return, she’ll give me a wagging tail, a low bark and pounce on me with gratitude and excitement.  Extremely happy knowing that I’m there for her.  A real pleasant canine all the time!

She looks forward to seeing Ellie Mae in the yard to play with, or even inside too!  Even though she is a low energy girl, the two seem to already know when Ruby has had enough play and wants to chill for some time.  Sherman and her have also hung out off leash as well.  Their energy levels match and the two lay side by side for some relaxation.  You can tell how much more comfortable she feels!

06/13/2025

We spent the week completely devoted to learning abilities and overcoming any fears of the new environment noises that bother Ruby.  I’m very confident that she could pass her Level 1 and 2 already!  Along with that, her comfortability with loud noises has become less concerning as she adjusts.

I no longer have to put her into the pool as she trusts me when I take my shoes and socks off to join in the fun!  Ruby has shared the yard off leash with Sherman already!  Their energy match was a must try and neither seemed to mind the other.  They seem to just enjoy relaxing next to each other. 

I’m still searching for ideas, toys, any specific information from those who may know her best, as to how to motivate such a chill dog.  Maybe she’s just all about relaxing and generally enjoying life? Super laid back life style and pure sugar!

06/06/2025

Let’s welcome a shy, very cuddly, polite, and quite fit canine into our HOPE Program. Her name is Ruby.  She doesn’t like to play much (yet) and follows me wherever I go.  Cuddling or being next to me for comfort is currently where we at, at the end of her first week. Many times throughout the week she has said, “Hi” to people and other dogs without any problems at all.  A dog who is 100% a sweetheart and always kind.

We spent her first week working on commands as she really doesn't know too much at all (yet), but has started to pick up several things already.  Loud noises make her nervous though. As long as she’s with me, the willingness to participate is there.  Ruby prefers outside versus inside right now. Way more peaceful for the both of us!

Not a better way to beat the heat than to hit the water here!  So I dug out the pool and filled it up twice in the past two days, just to keep her cooled off.  No fears of the water and it seemed to put a little pep in her step.  Ruby has already taken a trusting attitude with me and I enjoy her peaceful personality and company.  Welcome Ruby!

5/30/2025

Ruby joined HOPE today!  Check back for future updates!