UPDATE JANUARY 2026

Hello Lyra here and before you ask I’m fully aware that I’m not a Shepherd although I do have a bit of Mali in me somewhere.

I have been in the kennels since I was 6 months old, I have missed out on so many things so I have a lot of catching up to do.

I will admit I’m not the easiest of girls as I do take a while to get used to new people and I can be a little reactive when I’m out and about but remember how young I was when I came into the rescue.

I’m great around food and toys, I love to play and I love my walks. My favourite thing while I’m out is rolling especially in the long grass, I’d do it all day if I could.

My volunteers have started to take me to new places where I see more people and dogs and I have to say that I’m doing quite well. I just see to see more of the world but this needs to be done gradually so I don’t get scared – baby steps.

I don’t think that I’d like to live with another dog and I wouldn’t be great with cats either unless we came to some sort of agreement – who knows?

I’d need to be introduced to people slowly, my favourite treat is cheese so this may just win me over if plenty was on offer!

If I could find the right people I know that I’d learn very quickly as I am quite bright, I just need a chance so if you are not looking for a Shepherd then maybe you could look at me?

Foster update – July – 2024

Just a quick update on Lyra

We’ve had quite a week with her! Unfortunately the puppy food was too rich for her so we had explosive diarrhoea for three days!
I gave her some pro kolin for three days and fed her just the biscuits for a couple of days and she’s back to normal now.

She’s very good in the house – very gentle and relaxed. Slept downstairs in the crate(after barking the first night). She loves being with people and seems to prefer women.

We’ve been concentrating on stopping her from jumping up and she’s improving. She’s also learnt to sit and wait for her food (didn’t even know what ‘sit’ means!)
She barks if someone walks past but stops if you tell her. She can jump quite high for a little girl – so needs a secure garden with at least 5ft fence. She will come to you if you whistle or call her.

On walks – I reckon she was dumped and spent some time fending for herself…. She is on high alert all the time and will eat anything including leaves, grass etc. she loves to have a good sniff at everything. She is getting better walking on the lead, but lunges if she spots…. Movement!! She will try to chase anything (high prey drive) especially pigeons, squirrels, rabbits, cyclists…. She also lunges if she sees people or dogs (even from across a 5 acre field!) I think if she was off lead she would zoom over and jump all over them (hence we are trying to stop her jumping up). She will strain on the lead until corrected/distracted – this is an issue with her breathing (see below). She has seen cows and horses – initially she just stared – she will now walk past them – she doesn’t bark at them. I don’t think the lunging is aggression – probably just not used to being on a lead and restricted from going where she wants to!

She likes her toys and will happily amuse herself with a tennis ball or a bone. I gave her a Kong Wobbler today for the first time – it was hilarious – after barking at it she figured it out quite quickly!

So … she’s going to need a lot of training in the outside world to curb the lunging towards things – especially people & dogs.

She is a really sweet natured little girl.

Have a look at this little beauty we took in recently. Her name is Lyra and her breed is anyones guess!! We believe she is a Mali crossed with some smaller breed. Still very much a baby at approx 6 month old……how can this be happening……you leave your mum at 2 month old and 4 month later you have been passed around and around and spent more time in kennels than in a home???

She loves everyone but now needs socialising with other dogs and to learn some social skills. Poor little bugger needs feeding up which she is getting now, she has been wormed, chipped and has started her vaccinations.

Looking to get her into foster as soon as we can as she deserves so much more at the most important time of her little life.

Shout up if you have been home checked and we will be in touch.

Apply to adopt

Location:

Notts - KENNELS

Sex:

Female

Age:

19.09.2023

Neutered:

No

Good with children:

Yes - Older Only

Good with other dogs:

No

Good with cats:

No