Charlotte is my black and tan Australian Shepherd Mix. We're not sure what she's mixed with but, she has a pink and black tongue so... maybe Chow? Charlotte came from the Sarasota Humane Society. I found her there when I went to adopt a puppy named Berkley. Turned out that had been given a home just an hour before I arrived; I was pretty disappointed but I figured it wouldn't hurt to give the other shelter dogs another look. When I did I saw her sitting there all quiet with glazed over eyes; I knew she was an Aussie because I had one before named Silver and that kind of sold me. We took her out and I visited with her. She was scared but so sweet. When she realized I was taking her home she pressed into my leg and wouldn't leave my side for anything. In fact- I spent about the first 30 minutes teaching her she couldn't sit in my lap in the car. I found out that she had been returned to the Humane Society by two people before me, plus there would have been a person who originally brought her in. She was only a year old (she was born in 1999) but it became very apparent that she had been abused and probably severely neglected. (I also don't know why they cropped her tail.) She was afraid of everything- especially men. If a guy raised his arms around her, even just to yawn, she became so afraid she would pee on herself. She just always assumed she was going to get hit. She wasn't house broken (which was horrible in a 3rd floor apartment) she didn't know not to chew on things, and if I tried to leave she would run around wildly, crying, and then try dig out of the apartment so she could find me. It took some work, and tried my patience from time to time, but she really wanted to learn and she really loved my boyfriend and I so eventually she became the most awesome dog. Go here for Charlotte's photo gallery!

She loves smaller animals; like my ferrets, mice or birds. She won't hurt a loose animal, she'll follow it around with her nose pointed at it until I notice it. She did use to try to heard my ferrets but, there was no way that was working out for her. She never wanted to leave me so she could walk off the leash, now she'll go about 50 yards before she runs back- unless you call her before then. She's really intelligent- it's so easy for her to learn new commands. She doesn't chew on anything anymore unless you give it to her, and she stop pissing herself when she saw a milk jug or a safety cone, or any numerous non threatening objects she used to be terrified of. The only problem I've had with her, since that first year, is that she stopped liking other dogs when 2 Jack Russell Terriers attacked me and her one day. It's not that she won't put up with other dogs, but the moment they step out of line she feels she has to stop them. She's very protective of me so I'm not surprised that event changed her attitude. They weren't really a threat but dogs don't really realize that about each other- and she did see me get bit. She will usually accept another dog if I bring into the house though. She acted as a mommy for my sisters Chihuahua- and he looked just like one of the terriers. (She doesn't follow that dog stereotype and put up with bad puppies either- but she did for him) She knows who is family and accepts them instantly, she showed me that the neighbors house was on fire, she's helped me catch hurt wild animals by gently restraining them on command, and she keeps creepy guys away when I'm doing yard work. She's only dog I've ever had that I've needed to keep on a diet, she loves giving kisses, and sometimes she might try to rape your leg- beware!