First, the bad part: Unfortunately, Monarch killed a neighbor’s feral cat next door to her home in Maryland. She went under the fence with her Lab buddy. Animal Control and the court mandated that she be housed in a secure kennel or be put to sleep. A "secure" kennel means a concrete slab with heavy fencing all around and on top. Her owners could not comply with the court order and she was days from death. Her Lab buddy was taken in by another rescue early on after the court ruling. Monarch was left alone outside, in the fenced yard, for three weeks. She never tried to escape. It must have all been the Lab’s fault!

Now, the best part: Monarch is a beautiful, sweet, Velcro girl. When we first met she was very scared and shy. She had just left the only home she’s ever known. She let everyone pet her and never pulled on the leash. She gently accepted food from me even though she was very scared. She rode home crated and I did not have any problems or issues with her. In fact, she has been perfectly behaved since I met her. She has great house manners and is house-trained. She also knows "sit". She is accepting of training as long as you do not yell at her. (Are not we all...) She is very healthy and doesn't look a day over 5. Her coloring is beautiful and her ears are erect most of the time.

My other dogs have accepted her and we're functioning as a pack now. (My dogs were initially very rude.) Monarch has settled in quickly but may need a little more time for her full personality to show. I cannot say anything bad about her. She is just a wonderful, sweet, Velcro girl. Oh! What a beautiful voice!! She likes to sing and sometimes talk a little.

She is very mellow but not sedentary so she would be great with a less active person or family. Mellow children and other dogs are fine. I would not place her in a household with cats or any other small animals. Monarch is truly a "turn-key" companion.