Pet of the Week: Roxi the Lab/Pit Bull Mix

Roxi is a mixed black lab and pit bull that is in a foster home with Motley Zoo Animal Rescue, a Redmond rescue group. At 2 years old, she is a great mellow gal yet still loves to have fun. She weighs about 55 pounds and is house-trained and learning about crate training. With cats, she is surprisingly good. Although she chases in the beginning, with proper training she quickly learns that chasing is not OK. At her foster home, Roxi now hangs out with the cats on the couch!

Roxi would be great in a family with dog-respectful children 6 years of age and older. She would like another mellow dog if there are any other dogs in the family. Roxi has been to the dog park several times and has done well with the other dogs there. Roxi is very loving and sweet. She has an easy-going lab personality. 

NOTES FROM FOSTER MOM: 

Health: Roxi had knee surgery on her back leg due to a luxating patella. Her knee is 100 percent (or close to it). No limping in at least two weeks and she's running around the yard and dog park (fast loops) without a problem. She runs a couple of miles with her foster mom at least three times a week, and she walks for an hour each morning without any problems whatsoever. Roxi is healthy, spayed, microchipped, flea treated, dewormed and is current on vaccines.

She knows all of the following commands: Come, sit, down, wait, stay, leave it. As you can see, she is a smart girl who learns quickly! Roxi is very sweet and she loves to nuzzle. She is not a big barker at all — she lets out little grumps if someone is hanging outside the house too long, but otherwise she is very quiet.

Roxi is still working on leash training. She does not pull too hard with her foster parents, but she does pull harder with other people that she hasn't worked with on leash before. A gentle lead may be a good solution for her. Until then, her foster parents are continuing to work with her on a regular leash and they find that once she settles down from the initial excitement of the walk, she does great.

Roxi is warm and friendly to any human she meets and does not need any warm up time — she's instantly happy to be friends. She is the most gentle "treat-taker" her foster mom has ever had. She was at a party recently with lots of new people she had never met before and several new dogs. She was a hit at the party! Many people commented on her great behavior and how sweet she is. Her cuddly nature endears her to most people she meets.

She is a truly wonderful dog, a shining example of how wonderful a pit bull who is well trained and well socialized can be. Don't let her breed scare you off, take a chance and meet Roxi. Chances are, you'll fall in love.

For more information on Roxi and adopting from Motley Zoo Rescue, please see their website at www.motleyzoo.org.