OK, blurry picture, not good! But it shows how she loves to sit on your knee and snuggle! In fact, she has very few manners, and when she gets the idea she needs to be on your knee, she takes a leap and ends up there!

However, today she also met a group of small children, she was so gentle and friendly with them, laying down to be petted. We were very proud of her.

We have all decided that Phoenix must have some "Flat Coated Retriever" in her. She has the face of a retriever and certainly the personality! She LOVES people, she LOVES toys (and retrieving) and she LOVES water! Today she got to swim in a lake, ride in a canoe and if that was not enough wetness, she then decided to play in the garden sprinkler! At first she chased the jet of water, then she tried to catch it in her mouth! Very funny!!!

It is this spirit and character that probably kept her going through the first desperate months of her life. (See below) If you like water activities or hiking she would make a great companion for you. ..........................Please tell all your friends about her, she so deserves the chance of a good life.

"Am I cute or what?"

Phoenix is just taking a break from "killing" the squirrel tennis ball.

A home with older teenagers to play with her or a couple or single person, would be ideal. Some previous dog experience is preferrable as she is a very intelligent and trainable dog.

Phoenix, Pipo and Mosey have a game of "three way tug!"

Maybe Phoenix has some labrador in her, because she loves to have things in her mouth all the time. She carries her toys around at home and on walks she picks up sticks which she carries very proudly!

Because of her harsh past, we make sure she has lots of toys and rawhides and we have taught her to "trade" them for food treats.

She needs adopters who are willing to continue her basic training, including helping her to be confident that she will always have a plentiful supply of toys and food.

This is Phoenix now! The survivor!

She loves to lay in the grass to cool down. Here she is watching her play mate Pipo, trying to decide whether to join or not!

Phoenix would do well in a home with a playful male dog or as a single dog. She woud like to go to the dog park or take walks on trails with you. She is very pleasant to walk on leash and walks politely by any other dogs she meets.

This is Phoenix, as she was found, laying outside the door of the Durham animal shelter.

She was brought inside, warmed up and over many weeks nursed back to health by the staff.

She turned out to have a bright spirit and despite her abusive past, loves everyone she meets.