Plea for help -- save Chaca

Chaca, the beautiful, endearing, complex, difficult, wonderful dog, has received a temporary stay of execution, so to speak. But she needs your help in order to survive.

Some of you know this story, or parts of it, and some don't. I've provided details below, and it's a long story, but a compelling one. Basically, she needs funding for training & fostering, and she also will need a new home. I know that there are many demands on your good will and charity, especially during this holiday time, but if you can help even a little bit, I will be eternally grateful, and so will Chaca.

I love this dog more than I can possibly describe. Chaca started off life abandoned and discarded, but she deserves a happy ending -- Will you help give one to her?

Here's the scoop:
Chaca is approximately 1 1/2 years old and is a small border collie mix. At around 4 or 5 months old, she was abandoned in a drop box at a shelter, and probably was abused before being discarded. She was fostered briefly, and then adopted by a family that is loving, but very inexperienced with dogs.




I have been taking Chaca out in small dog playgroups for almost a year, and have occasionally boarded her in my home for short periods. She has made progress in many areas, but is not a good match for the family she has been living with (-- one of them never wanted a dog to begin with, and Chaca knows it).

Chaca is a wonderful and loving dog, but needs to live with someone experienced with border collies or other herding dogs, someone who can be not only loving, but consistent and firm.

Chaca plays well with other dogs, and many people at the park remark upon what a good playmate she is. Being a border collie, she is semi-obsessed with chasing the ball, of course, but also enjoys play with other dogs and will not guard her toys.

She has always been uncomfortable with being reached for (--god knows the abuse she probably experienced as a puppy!), but while she used to allow me and some others to put on her leash or take her collar, she now sometimes attempts to flee, or failing that, to growl, snap, and eventually nip as a last resort. She has nipped several times and has broken skin and clothing, and/or caused bruising, but no one has required medical attention other than bandaids, etc. She has shown mild leash reactivity, and some food-guarding issues, as well, but has made progress with training. She wants to please, and is extremely smart.

Over the last several months the relationship between Chaca and her family worsened until, not knowing what to do, the family believed they had to euthanize Chaca. However, at the last minute, they were put in contact with Larry Johnson, an Animal Care and Control officer with a background as a dog trainer. (He is featured on the television show Animal Cops San Francisco; see his bio here.) Larry met Chaca and is willing to board Chaca privately while he attempts to assess and train her; he is doing this for a very reasonable discounted fee, but it is still a financial burden on the family.

I have donated time and services for Chaca, and am willing to foster her for a while, but cannot adopt her myself or pay for the full training period. So I appeal to you, my friends, colleagues, neighbors, and fellow dog-lovers: Please contribute toward her training (even $10 or $20 will be of great help), and spread the word so that we can locate an experienced dog person who might be interested in taking on this "project dog." You can click on the link below to donate via Paypal (you don't need to have a paypal account), or if you prefer to talk to me, the family, or the trainer directly, please send an email to savechaca@gmail.com

Honestly, how can you resist this face...?