Contact Melody's Caretaker/Foster Directly: Cassie Miller (cassiem317@yahoo.com), (828) 280-1025, (828) 280-1025

Description:
Melody is a lovely, lovely Catahoula mix. One of our volunteers also volunteers at one of the local animal shelters, met this sweetheart, and fell in love. She called Judy and said, "You rescue her, I'll foster her!" Now, that's a deal!!!
It appears that someone cut a microchip out of her back ~ there is a nasty cut between her shoulder blades. What's that about!?! Cassie, her foster, is a real gem, and provided these wonderful insights:

"Melody, oh my sweet Melody!

I absolutely love this dog. She is quite the goof, and with everyday her personality evolves. The more time you spend with her the more you realize just what a big wonderful puppy she is. Melody is an absolute sweetheart and would be the perfect companion for an active person, family, or couple. She needs strong leadership and lots of love and attention.

Play Time:
Melody wants to play nonstop either by herself or with my big goober of a dog, Jeffery. Toys, Toys, Toys- she needs LOTS of toys. Squeaky, Stringy, Rubbery, Fluffy- as long as she can chew it and romp around with it she wants it.

Training:
Melody has already been through some training and knows the basics (sit, paw, down, stay). She is very intelligent and picks up quickly. She has made huge improvements in the leash-walking department, but she is a puppy and a hound puppy at that so she is still learning that I need to be the leader rather than her nose!

Housetraining:
She is housetrained although she may have the occasional accident. She needs to go outside frequently because that puppy bladder can’t hold it for too long. I would not recommend her being left without a potty break for more than 4 hours at this point.

Crate-Training:
Melody is wonderful in her crate and definitely needs to be crated when she is left alone. This provides a secure place where she can feel safe and also keep her out of trouble.

Cats:
Our first encounter with a cat: mildly frightening; however, she is learning and has become quite respectful of my cat. Melody should be watched around cats because she wants to play, but I do not see any aggression towards them. A cat willing to give her a quick “Wake-up call,” if you know, what I mean would probably be very beneficial. My cat, Banjo, is a little too friendly and gives her a gentle bop on the head- hardly the warning she needs!

Yard:
Melody MUST be watched closely if in a fenced in area. She is definitely an under-the-fence-digger. I have seen her attempt this twice at the dog park and I know that she could get out quickly and she will take off. She CANNOT be left alone in a fenced in area.


Melody is a gorgeous girl and deserves only the best. I believe there is a perfect family for every dog. Are you Melody’s perfect family? Please feel free to contact me with any questions!"


According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog is believed to have originated from Nordic Wolfhound being introduced some three to five hundred years before the Spanish arrived - However, no one will really know for sure. The state of Louisiana is cited as the point of origin, particularly the area of Catahoula. In 1979, the breed was designated the state dog of Louisiana. The Catahoula was named after a Parish in Northeastern Louisiana and after the mottled spots on its coat. At one time this breed was used to round up feral pigs and cattle -- livestock that had escaped, and was living in woods and swamps. It involved team effort that is highly coordinated and organized, fast paced, dangerous, and a marvel to watch. The ideal dog team usually numbers three, and they must work together. Otherwise, the one pig can kill all three in a matter of minutes. Each dog has to be aware of what the pig and the other two dogs are doing and react accordingly. Hunters sometimes used the Catahoula to trail and tree racc