Donnie ~ On Trial 21/4/16

Hi, I’m Donnie – devine Donnie! I’m a beautiful 9 month old Heeler X Staffy X Lapdog. If there's one thing you'll learn quickly about me (and my brother Magic Mikey who’s also listed for adoption) it's that I love to cuddle you! Whether you’re carrying me around in your arms or I’m climbing on to your chair with you or leaning on you when you’re sitting on the ground – I’m in heaven when you give me cuddles and attention – I’m a self-confessed lap-o-holic !

I look big in some of my photos but I'm not really big at all (about 15kg so I’m on the small side of medium). I've spent most of my short life roaming the streets with my mother and brother after being raised on a veranda - so I'm really enjoying my new life in care and getting love from my new extended family. I'm in a rescue kennel with about 80 other rescue dogs and I love playing the day away with my canine friend in the big play-yards. I have doggy playmates who are both male and female however most of my besties are girls as I seem more drawn to them and we love to rumble and wear ourselves out with games. If some of the bigger older dogs’ tell me off I shy away from them. The volunteers at the rescue kennels say that I'm perfection and absolutely adore me!

Due to my rough start in life most of the things that other dogs take for granted are very new to me, however I’m so eager to please you and with my intelligent breed mix it shouldn't take me long to get the hang of living with my very own furever family for the first time. I’m not that interested in treats as I’ve never had them before, I’m more interested in your praise when I’m a good boy. I enjoy meeting new people and I am very calm when saying hello. I don’t jump up and I’m happy if you come down to my level and give me a head scratch and a cuddle.

I'm just learning to walk on lead and I'm relaxed and attentive to you as we walk together - I'm happy to follow your lead and being smaller in size and stature I'm not that strong. I haven't really had much exposure to kids so I would be better with a family with dog savvy confident older kids who understand dogs. I would excel in a family who have had staffy or cattle dogs previously and who are fans of these breeds.

Due to the fact I've been allowed to roam since I was a puppy I will need 6 foot colourbond fences to keep me safe and a family who will commit to exercising me every day to help me understand that being out supervised is best for me. I can climb chain link fences at the rescue kennels like a ladder however once I get over I don't run away I just hang out with the volunteers to get pats ! I would also suit an inner city home with a small block and high fences as long as I'm given lots of love, a good routine and a good run around daily to keep me mentally and physically stimulated.

I would love a home where I'm allowed inside for the first time - I'll need some indoors training as it will be new to me but I love to be wherever you are so I'm sure I'll excel at being a house dog too ! If your lap is there I'm ready to climb onto it wherever you are!

For more information or to meet Donnie, please contact his Jo on 0427 695 104 or email jo.payne.aus@hotmail.com . Donnie is in care near Morisset, NSW 2264 (Central Coast).

Donnie's adoption fee is $350 and includes his desexing, vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, microchipping, and lifetime registration. You can see all our available dogs at www.dogrescuenewcastle.com.au