PetPlace
Meet Rita - Project Homebound!
Animal ID 54008133 
Species Dog 
Breed Mixed Breed, Large (over 44 lbs fully grown)/Mix 
Age 3 years 16 days 
Gender Female 
Size Large 
Color White/Tan 
Spayed/Neutered  
Declawed No 
Housetrained Unknown 
Site Athens-Clarke County Animal Services 
Location Project HOMEBOUND 
Intake Date 6/21/2024 
* * *
Rita is part of Project Homebound, Athens-Clarke County's Dog Training Program! For more information about Project Homebound, please go to https://athenspets.net/project-homebound/.
* * *
Doggy-Day-Out update: Rita had a fun day out at Pittard Park today! We started with a brisk walk around the park; she hasn't had many (if any) outings since she came to the shelter, and she had some energy to work out! Once she'd settled down a bit, we met the other volunteers with Athenspets - GA at the Marigold Market. She was friendly when meeting both adults and children. She desperately wanted to play with the other dogs, and she enjoyed meeting them, though it wasn't an appropriate space for playing. She was already a superstar with "sit", so while we where there, I worked with her on lying down, rolling over, spin, up, and off. While she's not a pro at these after one day, she did demonstrate that she is very smart and eager to learn.
When the market was over, we took a surprise adventure - a train ride around town! I'm assuming this was a new experience for her, but she settled in easily and enjoyed the ride!
Rita
๐Ÿพ 2 yo, spayed, UTD on everything
๐Ÿพ Playful and fun
๐Ÿพ Smart and eager to learn
๐Ÿพ Friendly with humans of all ages
๐Ÿพ Desperately wants to play with new dogs; calm around them after introductions
๐Ÿพ Loads easily into car and rides well
๐Ÿพ Minimal pulling on the leash, but when she does, she's strong. She's easily redirected and goes back to walking nicely easily.
* * *
Update: Rita is so much fun! She enjoys playing with toys, splashing in the pool, and earning treats by giving good sits or hopping on the table. It was a hot day, but Rita wanted to play and chase toys. When she needed to cool off, she'd lounge in the pool or dunk her head and splash about. I remember Rita when she had originally come to the shelter with her buddy Rocco. Both dogs were eventually adopted, but now Rita is back looking for a new home. She's a sweet, energetic girl who's full of joy and loves to play.
* * *
Rita and Rocco are a fun duo. They don't look alike but have much in common. Both like to chase toys, sit for treats, and be together.

Rita likes getting in the pool to cool off, but Rocco won't have anything to do with water except to drink it. Rita often reaches a toy first, but it's Rocco who really loves toys. At one time, he had the coconut toy all to himself, and he kept it in his mouth wandering around the interaction pen. He let me have it, but I could tell he'd rather have kept it. Both are good dogs. Rita has to be reminded not to jump up when she's excited while Rocco is more low key.

They're two sweet dogs ready for good times!

* * *
* Rita tested positive for heartworms upon impound but has been treated and is now available for adoption. To learn more about heartworms, including how to prevent them, please go to https://www.heartwormsociety.org/.