By Amy Christiansen Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Feb 20, 2008 at 10:07 AM

We found Candace as a stray early last fall and took her to animal control where she was held for seven days while we hoped her owner would reclaim her. At the end of her hold period, volunteers from the Companion Animal Resource and Adoption Center evaluated her for placement into their adoption program and it was love at first sight.

This adorable, young, mixed breed dog can be a little shy when meeting new people, but she warms up quickly and uses her big brown eyes to get just about anything she wants. She is very friendly and playful with the resident dog in her foster home, and she loves the neighbor dog.

However, since personalities can be different from dog to dog, if you have another pet at home, a meeting is required to ensure a good match.

She likes to herd and chase her canine friends and "borrow" their toys. If placed with another dog, a similarly playful, high-energy companion with great tolerance for her puppy-like antics would be best.

Candi has not lived with children or cats. She has done well with the children she has met in public but given her ultra-high energy level and quest to catch all birds, rabbits and squirrels, Candi would probably do best in a home without cats (or other small pets) and with a fully fenced yard.

She already knows how to "sit" and "lie down" and she is learning new tricks and commands every day. She looks forward to the two walks per day she takes with her foster mom and has really enjoyed playing in the snow during our recent storms. She loves to run and play fetch in the yard; we think she has the potential to be an agility or flyball star.

Our dogs live in foster care and are normally available for viewing every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at the Petsmart at 74th Street and Edgerton Avenue in Greenfield.

We recommend calling or stopping by the adoption center during visiting hours to confirm the presence of a particular dog prior to making the trip.

For a full listing of adoption fees and inclusions, as well as an adoption application, visit www.companionanimal.org and click on "adopt,"' or stop by the adoption center.

The adoption center is located in the upper level of Southridge Mall and is open for viewing of cats for adoption or to schedule an appointment to meet a dog. We're open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 7 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Please call (414) 421-8881 or e-mail info@companionanimal.org for more information.

Amy Christiansen Special to OnMilwaukee.com

Amy Christiansen is the Executive Director of the Companion Animal Resource and Adoption Center (CARAC). CARAC is located in the upper level of Southridge Mall and is dedicated to saving the unclaimed strays from the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission.

Amy grew up on the South Side of Milwaukee and now lives in Muskego with her husband and son and their three cats and three dogs. She also takes in the occasional foster dog.