Dixie looks out to the window, curious about the world around her
Everyone’s heard the saying “Dogs are a man’s best friend.” And they are rightfully so. Dogs are loving, loyal, fun, adventurous and, of course, adorable. There are thousands of dogs across the country looking for a best friend and a forever home. One of these dogs is Dixie.
Dixie is a 3-year-old Treeing Walking Coonhound. She was surrendered to the Central Aroostook Humane Society in September and has been stealing the hearts of the workers there ever since. Dixie was given up for the same reason many hounds are surrendered everywhere: people don’t do research on this type of dog. Hounds such as Dixie are very high energy and need to be stimulated at all times. If not, this can lead to resource guarding (being protective/becoming aggressive over food, treats, toys, etc.), nipping and other things, which are things that Dixie’s owner listed as reasons she was giving her up.
“What happens with hounds is a lot of people get them and they don’t realize that they’re dogs that like to hunt,” Betsy Hallett, the manager of CAHS, said. “They’re high energy, their mind is always working and people just don’t do the research. They’re cute as puppies. But you’ve got to realize that you’ve got to work them.”
Dixie is a very adventurous and curious creature. So she loves to explore her surroundings more than she likes to explore people. Dixie is unique in the sense that she gives people a different experience from what they expect when they come to the shelter to meet and possibly adopt a dog.
“When you come to look for a dog in a shelter, a lot of people look for that dog that you make a connection with. You know, and they instantly look at you and you’re like, ‘oh my gosh, this is the one,’” Dezarai St. Peter, the animal kennel tech at CAHS who has worked meticulously with Dixie, said. “She’s (Dixie’s) like, ‘Hey, I want to check out the rest of the world, and then I’ll check you out,’ which makes it a little bit harder, unless you’re a hound person and you know that’s what they’re like.”
St. Peter has been working with Dixie on basic commands and manners since she arrived at the Humane Society this fall. While training, Dixie was hesitant, because she wasn’t sure if the actions she was being told to do would benefit her. “(With Dixie) It used to be like ‘I might not do this, is it rewarding to me?’ That kind if a thing.”
Dixie is a wild child. She loves to run and hike and loves the snow. When taken for walks, she instantly runs to the top of the snowbank to see what it’s all about. She loves all of the smells of the outdoors, especially on trails. She does very well in the car and loves to play.
Dixie might not do well in a home with cats, since she has a preying instinct and might stress the cats out. She doesn’t do well with the overstimulation that a lot of children give to dogs, but in the right home, she could live with calm children who give her space. She would love to have someone home with her to keep her entertained but does well with kennel training. It would be good for her to be with someone who will keep up her training and keep her stimulated. She needs a fenced in yard or someone who likes to hike and adventure.
“It’s a big responsibility, but you also have the responsibility of a hound, you always have to leash them, you’ve got to make sure there’s a leash on them before they get outside if you don’t have a fenced in yard,” Dezarai said.
Dixie is an amazing dog. She has just been (not so) patiently waiting for her best friend and forever owner. One of the most important parts of Dixie’s journey at the shelter has been volunteers socializing with her.
“When she first got here, especially with social interactions, she was not the best. Even with us, she didn’t want much to do with us.” Socialization was something that the workers of CAHS have really worked on with Dixie, and she is much better now. She can go walk with almost anyone and makes sure to say hello to everyone she sees on her way out the door for a walk. CAHS has a room that the staff members try to make homey for the dogs. They try to bring the dogs in and get others to bring the dogs in, as much as possible.
“It’s really good for them to just have someone come in and bring them in this room,” Betsy said.
CAHS is in need of volunteers to help with dogs such as Dixie. Dogs need to be walked and loved, and the cats need love and attention, too. There are lots of things to do that can help in any way.
“It really depends on what time they want to volunteer. We’re here at 8 in the morning, doing all the cleaning,” Betsy said. “What I usually tell people is, if you’re in Presque Isle and you’re like ‘I have a hard hour and I don’t have anything to do,’ stop by. Tell us you want to volunteer. Tell us you want to visit with an animal.”
If you’re interested in meeting spunky Dixie and taking her for a walk, or if you’re a cat person, or if you’re a person who likes to clean, stop at the Central Aroostook Humane Society at 24 Cross Street in Presque Isle. The staff members appreciate all the help they can get. They are also always accepting donations of food, towels, bleach, cat litter and other essentials to care for the animals.
If you’re looking to add to your family or your home, do some research on Treeing Walking Coonhounds and see if they’d be a fit for you and your lifestyle. Then come give Dixie a visit. Take her for a walk, play with her. She’ll sniff her way into your heart.
