Izzy

Isabel Minkle Allende O'Keefe (aka "Izzy") is a "custom-bred" dog (read that mutt, but don't tell Izzy) whom I adopted through the Humane Society. Izzy's very pregnant mother was rescued from a desperate situation in Kentucky and had advanced-stage heartworm. The kind people (Lori and Scott) at Wag's Inn in Xenia took "Mama" in and helped her give birth to eight healthy puppies.

Mama is a beagle--and although she could not be treated for heartworm while she nursed her pups, you will be pleased to know that Mama is now OK and all the puppies have long since been adopted.

Izzy was born April 15 2007, so she is nearly two years old. I named her after one of my (many) favorite authors--Isabel Allende, and then later added the middle name Minkle in honor of a friend's dog who died after a long battle with cancer, glaucoma, diabetes, and epilepsy (and who still managed to be a real sweetie). She answers to Izzy, Isabel, Isabella Doggelini, Izz-meister, Izzicle, Izz-weasel, and many other names. She answers to just about anything if I hold out a treat.

Izzy looks like a black lab puppy--she weighs about 52 pounds--and has many lab traits (webbed feet, endless desire to retrieve various objects, lots of energy, sweet personality) and many beagle traits (triangle-shaped head, long floppy ears, beagle baying ability, lots of energy, sweet personality, and a love for digging). She also appears to have other breeds in her make-up (feathered haunches, curly hair, tendency to do a border check of whatever space she is in). I recently had her genetically tested to see who she is (not that it matters), but I was curious. I question the results--and will likely have her tested by another lab to see whether I think the testing is valid.

Now that we have settled down in Portland, OR, Izzy and I are meeting other dogs and their people. I had intended to work with pet therapy groups to help people in need of puppy love (children's hospitals, nursing homes, hospice, etc), but Izzy has recently developed an aggression problem when she is on a leash and she is still terrible about jumping up to kiss people.
We need to cure both of these issues before Izzy is ready for therapy.

Izzy knows a lot of tricks: sit, lie down, shake, high five, roll over, and show me your belly--and she loves to play, swim, cuddle, and chase small animals. We found one another at just the right time--and I feel lucky to have her in my life. Izzy is a real joy and she loves nothing better than a ride in the car and meeting new people, so our trip was fun for her.

You can ask questions about Izzy or write to her at Izzy@snark-hunter.com