Foster Update 12/31/24:
Hi, Ellie Mae here, sometimes I go by Mae Mae. Happy New Year’s Eve!
It has been a wonderful 11 days at home with my mom as she is on Christmas break. We get to spend a lot of time together and I love it. There is so much outside and napping on the couch!
She is working with me and I now move quickly when she says “Let’s go!” because it means outside or food!
Sometimes she does leave the house and tells me to kennel and I gladly go because that is a comfy and safe place for me.
I love being outside smelling all the smells, touring the yard, or relaxing on my outdoor bed with a fleece blanket. I have a fur coat but I think my mom gets cold because she has so many layers on. 
Mom has been working on the word “come” and if I do I get yummy treats, but sometimes I pretend I do not hear her and keep smelling. I am getting better because the treats are yummy.
There are times I am so proud that I found a stick that I prance over looking cute to show my foster mom my treasure!
She is also trying to deter my excitement and barking when people walk by the fence in the alley. I am doing better. I rarely bark in the house.
I am still not a fan of leaving my yard, but I am being brave and get more treats if I walk on my leash outside the yard. I am also getting more comfortable getting brushed. Mom has this big pile of my hair now!
I am getting better with people coming into the house. I don’t run and hide in my kennel anymore. I lay on the couch and the people give me pets and sometimes I just fall asleep.
I am down 13 lbs and can run outside and jump on the couch. I did some counter-exploring but mom said I can’t do that anymore. I girl can only try. 
Submit your application today if you are looking for a sweet young lady to love!
https://grroiowa.org/adoption-information/
Foster Update 12/22/24:
Ellie Mae has settled into her routine! 5:30 wake-up and breakfast around 6am. She goes into her kennel on her own at 6:45 when I head to work. She is content in her kennel and sleeps most of the day. When I get home we spend an hour or two outside in the backyard. She loves the cold weather.
Weekends she lounges on the couch or outside on her bed with a fleece blanket and watches the world go by.
She has found her voice and loves to bark at things outside, people, and cars in the alley. She has a great bark! She doesn’t bark inside the house.
She is warming up to people slowly. Once the trust is built she is ok. She is still hesitant about coming up to people.
She isn’t fond of walks in the neighborhood due to cars and people. Too much going on.
She is now under 70 lbs with some more pounds to go. She is much more active and can get on the couch to sleep.
Ellie Mae gets along with ok with most female dogs and has a low growl with male dogs. She has had some play dates and mainly follows the dogs around the yard, not engaging in playing.
We would love to speak to you about this special gal, submit your adoption application today!
12-10-24
Hello I’m Ellie Mae!! I am a 5+ year old ( DOB 12-28-2018) retired breeder. Ellie Mae (formerly Cindy) came in as a breeder surrender very scared and overweight. She has consistently started to lose weight and down 10 lbs with 10 to go!!
From foster mom:
Ellie Mae gets excited to see me when I come home and let her out of her kennel, excited to go outside and run around the fenced-in backyard to clear it of squirrels and rabbits, smelling all the good smells, and laying on her outside bed and watching the world go by.
Ellie Mae is a great dog! She loves playing with other dogs, chewing on her Benebones, lying on the couch, and chilling. She is house-trained and will happily go to her kennel in the morning when I leave for work.
Ellie Mae is shy and reserved girl. It takes a little time for her to warm up to people and trust them.
She walks well on a leash using a harness. Currently she is more comfortable in the safety and security of her backyard.
She sleeps in bed with me and is only kenneled when I leave the house to go to work or run errands. She loves her kennel and is comfortable in it and will gladly go in it any time. She will make a great dog for the right family!!
Ideal Home:
- Someone who is home more than gone
- Another medium, mellow dog as a role model
- Fenced yard
- Cats unknown
- Kids – ages 12+ with experience with dogs
- Energy level is medium as she is still overweight
- Continue her weight management
- Continue training
Interested in this sweet girl? Submit your application today!
