Pet of the Week: Josie Mae

Meet Josie Mae, a rescue pup with a heart of gold and this week’s Arlington Pet of the Week.

Here’s what her owners had to say about her:

Josie Mae–or Miss Mae, The Pups, Pup-Tart and Frankenpuppy, Poo Poo Potties, Baby GIrl, Freshie Freshington and Pretty Pie–as we affectionately call her, is a two and a half year old border collie-husky mix that hails from Lyons, GA where she was found in a high kill shelter. K-9 Lifesavers rescued her and brought her to the Reston Pet Fiesta Festival & Dog Adoption event the very next morning. She was a last minute transport and she literally arrived right off the truck, still somewhat dirty, scared and shy. We were there to see other dogs we had read about online that Mother’s Day weekend, but we fell in love with her. She instantly stole our hearts and together we formed a family.

It hasn’t been easy though; our four-legged, tail-wagging child is quite the handful. She went through two obedience trainers just to learn how to walk on a leash. She still hasn’t fully mastered it, and I think she thinks I’m a sled. She loves to shred paper products to teach us a lesson when we leave home without her. She likes to chase rabbits and squirrels and will nearly take your arm out of its socket in her pursuit. She likes to dig holes, particularly in freshly landscaped flower beds. We’ve made a lot of friends this way. She likes to put all things found on the ground into her mouth, and occasionally she likes to swallow these non-food items too. Oh, and she knows tons of tricks and commands, but conveniently forgets all of them, that is, until you present her with a food item. That’s our trick.

That being said, all of her positive attributes more than make up for her character, ahem, shortcomings–and even so, we find them endearing just the same. She is an amazing companion. Where you go, she will follow. She howls and “talks” on command (and cries when she wants attention). She is the best passenger in the car, happy just to ride along and she doesn’t complain about her dad’s driving–or my singing (though her dad does). She likes to share our food, any food (this is not always a good thing, but I take it as a compliment that she enjoys my cooking). She is an excellent swimmer and does not tire of retrieving sticks. Total beach dog. And she has a peculiar taste for sand. Still haven’t figured that one out. She knows the names of all her toys in her toy bin and loves to take them all out trying to entice you with one to play. Everyone, and I mean this sincerely, asks what breed she is and comments on her beauty. What can I say, she gets her good looks from her momma.

We still aren’t sure who rescued whom. But be careful because this little one can cast a spell on you. She has a talent for lowering her ears to seem sweet and innocent, and when she looks up at you with those loving blue eyes, you melt.

The Arlington Pet of the Week is sponsored by Dogma Bakery, which has locations at The Village at Shirlington (2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive) and the Lee Harrison Shopping Center (2445 N. Harrison Street).

Want your pet to be considered to be the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and 3-4 photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a $25 Dogma gift card.