Meet Bernice.

Bernice is a sweet & faithful gal who is extremely people-oriented. She is an approximately 5-6 year old Treeing Walker Coonhound and weighs 55 lbs. Bernice is housetrained, crate-trained, and has a wonderful temperament towards all people including children. She is also fine with other dogs.

Judging from her underside, Bernice was previously used as a breeding dog, which caused a tumor to develop in one of her mammary glands that required surgery to remove (the tumor was later determined to be benign). We suspect that she was bred and bred until she couldn't breed anymore, and then was unceremoniously dumped on the streets, where she lived, fending for herself for who knows how long. She was found as a stray in an orchard by a kind man who eventually handed her over to our rescue. Bernice's elbows are extremely calloused and raw so we also suspect that she spent most of her life living outside on hard, concrete ground. But those days are over, and we're determined that Bernice will only have the best life possible from now on.

Bernice is very friendly towards all people but not hyper. As long as she gets some exercise, she's a pretty mellow dog around the house. She'll go off on her own to amuse herself or just nap, but when you show her affection, she just can't get enough. It's like she's getting a big big treat and wants it to last as long as possible before it's taken away from her. I get the impression it's something she's been denied for most of her life. We do recommend that Bernice go to a home without small toddlers because she does have a habit of pawing for attention and this may knock over or scratch a small child.

Bernice would have no problem being an only dog, but she also gets along with other dogs. She might be a little shy of some of the more vocal & forceful dogs, but once she gets to know them, she generally becomes very playful with them. We do recommend that she be fed separately from other dogs as she will not tolerate other dogs approaching her food. However, when it's time to hand out treats, she has no problem waiting for her turn after the other dogs. We do not know how Bernice is with cats.

Bernice isn't high maintenance, but she has a healthy amount of energy and should be taken out regularly on walks (as opposed to being left out on her own in the backyard). There is nothing (aside from food) that gets Bernice more excited than when you bring out the leash. She does a cute little dance. The walks need not be strenuous or long, unless that's your preference. She seems to be happy to go on forever during our hikes, but she's also content with our short 15-minute walks. I think she just likes the opportunity to smell new things with that hound nose of hers--she perks up and it really makes her feel ALIVE. She walks very well on a prong collar but would need more work on a soft collar. She's calm when the neighbors greet and pet her on the streets. She sleeps in an open crate at night and is crated when we leave the house. Bernice also rides well in the car, and is very responsive to voice corrections.

Bernice is a very endearing, good-natured girl with big, soulful brown eyes and a soft demeanor. She isn't a demanding dog and has managed to survive on what appears to be the most meager amount of human affection with her gentleness and ability to bond intact. She will bring a lot of happiness into your world and would make anybody a loyal and trusting companion. Bernice is truly a sweet dear who deserves so much more than what she's used to. She doesn't ask for much, but in the end, you'll find that you'll have given her your heart anyway.

We have become very fond of this big-eyed, long-eared girl and would like to offer to dogsit her once in a while should her adoptive family need a sitter when they leave town. I have loved many of our dozen or so foster dogs but not nearly as much as I have come to love Bernice.

BERNICE HAS BEEN ADOPTED.