BORN TO RUN
A lovable rescue pup with boundless energy, Cassie has quickly found her place in the family and at the dog park since joining her Village of West Clay home.
Cassie is an 18-month-old mixed breed. Her DNA test says that she is 50% American Pit Bull, with about 30% German Shepherd and Boxer, and a good mix of many others. We had her DNA test done twice because we would have sworn she had some Whippet in the mix.
How did Cassie come to join your family? After some time, and after losing our Golden Retriever, we were ready for a new dog in the family. I saw Cassie on the Far Fetched Dog Rescue website. Her litter was found under a shed, with no mom or dad in sight. She was the only female and the last remaining to be adopted from the litter. We met her, and it was love at first sight. We took her home the same day.
Is there a story behind her name? Her name at the rescue was Shimmy, so we definitely had to spend some time giving her a new name for her new family. Our son suggested Cassie, who was a strong female character from a video game that he enjoyed. That one stuck.
What's the one trait or behavior that makes Cassie stand out from the rest? She is a dog's dog. She would prefer to play with other dogs rather than get pets from humans, although she is very friendly and loves to give kisses between the dog playtime. She also likes to sleep on the back of the couch like a cat, which is a bit weird for a 50lb dog.
Does Cassie have any unique talents or tricks? She is really fast, and she loves to be chased. She will get a ball at the park and tease other dogs until the chase is on.
Does she have any favorite toys or treats? She has recently become very fond of her pig toy. She loves to make it make its "oinking" sound and try to get to the stuffing inside. She has succeeded a few times, so my wife now orders these in bulk for her.
Tell us about your favorite memory with Cassie. She loves her treats, and the first time she ate a "pup cake" at her dog cousin's birthday, she didn't even chew it. It just disappeared in one bite.
Where does she love to hang out in the neighborhood? We have only lived here a few months, but she loves to be out walking the neighborhood. She hasn't had a chance to make playmates here yet, but we look forward to meeting some of the pups in the Village.
Are there any local businesses or parks that Cassie particularly enjoys visiting? Cassie loves to run and play with other dogs! Crate Escapes Dog Park + Bar at Grand Park in Westfield is, by far, her favorite place. She has made so many dog friends, and she gets very excited when we're in the car, and she knows we are heading that way.
If Cassie could choose any adventure to go on, what would it be? I think she would enjoy a trip down to Brown County for a long nature hike. She can walk forever and enjoys finding all the new smells.
How long has your family lived in the neighborhood? Our family has lived in Westfield for the past ten years. My wife, Lisa, and I have had our eyes on the Village of West Clay for some time. As our children became adults and moved out, we decided it was time to make a move, and we relocated to the Village in October 2025. We love the friendly community vibe and enjoy being within walking distance of the restaurants and shops.