Meet the Beautiful 'Con-Tessa' of Washington

It is hard for me to admit that I have been here at Angel Ridge for so long that I cannot remember my life before I came here.

Nestled between my two "boyfriends," Gordy and Brewster, I wait sometimes for several days to get an especially long walk with a volunteer. Even though I am not very big—about 45 pounds—I am powerful at pulling on the leash, which is why I don't get walked as often as some of the other dogs.

A gentle leader or a prong collar would be a good place to start for any new owner to help me learn to walk better on leash. It's tough because I love being outside and it is frustrating being cooped up day in and day out.  

My name is Tessa, which sounds like the nickname for Contessa—a very fitting title for a dog as pretty as I. My photo is even featured in the new Angel Ridge lottery calendar, which will be available this month.

With my speckled, soft white fur and black-splashed face, I am a beautiful mix of English Setter, a sporting breed and something else. The setter in me is obvious. I am a hunter and my easiest targets are the free-roaming cats that I look for whenever I am out. 

I have seen so many people and so few have given me a second look that I have stopped paying much attention to people in general. There are a couple of volunteers that make me swoon and whine, because they are the ones that take me out and give me love.

I will show far more to them—that I sit, give paw and look them in the eye—than to the average Joe. They can touch my paws, check my teeth and ears, and even pick me up right off the ground. I kiss their faces when they bring me back from a walk before they leave my cage. They know what a surprisingly sweet and loving girl I am, and I know they scratch their heads and wonder why I have not been adopted. 

Even in my middle years, I am a ball of energy and would not be a suitable companion for a couch potato or for someone who wants a lap dog. I need an active owner/family to walk, jog or rollerblade with.

I could run around with kids, but without regular exercise and activity, left to my own devices, boredom could drive me to look for other escape routes. I prefer the boy dogs to the girl dogs, and get along with the young pups that have come to live here recently.

Take a few minutes and watch a special little video of me, the "Con-Tessa" of Washington (petfinder.com/petdetail/14413303).

I have a lot going for me—good looks, an inner sweetness and a leg up on training. But I still need a home and a family to complete the picture. 

If you have a question or would like to meet me, please call Judy at 724-223-9325 or Cindy at 412-576-3445, or email cindy.coupe@verizon.net. 

Angel Ridge Animal Rescue

724.229.7053

390 Old Hickory Ridge Rd., Washington, PA 15301 

angelridgeanimalrescue.org

Hours: 12-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday

Follow Peters Patch on Facebook and Twitter, and sign up for our daily newsletter.