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Health & Fitness

Introducing Camp Wannadog's mascot ambassadog!

Camp Wannadog helps kids and families make dog adoption a howling success through day camps, workshops, in-home dog adoption counseling and group presentations. www.campwannadog.com

After many weeks of searching Petfinder, completing applications and hosting home-checks, Camp Wannadog  has found its new mascot 'ambassadog' -- RALPHIE!

We had a number of very specific traits we were looking for. First, we needed a dog that liked other dogs, as he/she would be living with our two rescued dogs, Rex and Annie. But we also needed to find a pooch who wouldn't overwhelm them, as they are both over 10 and aren't as spry and playful as they used to be. So we needed a friendly but also fairly mellow dog. Since his first day in our home, Ralphie has settled in and found his place in our pack. He seems to know that he is "the new kid," and he is making great progress in learning boundaries with Annie and Rex and in how to 'wait his turn' for petting! 

Second, we needed a dog that would respond to training and take treats nicely. Again, right off the bat, Ralphie took treats from me gently and learned the 'sit' command within a day! 

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Finally, we had to find a rescue dog who was great with kids and would be confident going into schools and libraries to meet new people. Since some of the children we encounter are sometimes a bit afraid or nervous around dogs, we wanted one that wasn't too big, too jumpy or too hyper. Ralphie fit the bill! He been in his foster home for less than 24 hours when we first met him. He had traveled all day the day before in a van from a high-kill shelter in Georgia where he had been saved from euthanaisa by Reach Out and Rescue Needless to say, he was pretty tired, confused and overwhelmed. Yet, at our first meeting, he walked right up to me and as soon as I sat down, he curled up in my lap! A friendly, submissive and attentive dog...just what we were looking for! 

Stay tuned for more updates on Ralphie's adventures as Camp Wannadog's mascot ambassadog!! 

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