They do have 'special needs'. And, we are hoping that by telling the public what those needs are, and promoting the dogs along with those needs, we will be able to rouse someones interest in at least one of these dogs. I am going to post about each of these dogs every couple of days, so stay tuned.
First is TODD, and he is first because he's been with us the longest. Todd came to us from Butte, Montana on September 10th. He was running at large and never claimed by his owner. The shelter staff had met Todd before, frequent flyer at the shelter!, and were hoping that one day the owner wouldn't come for him, and they could see him off to a new home that would truly love him.
Todd is about 4 or 5 years old and is about 75 pounds. His ears and pouty bottom lip are not his most endearing quality.....its his kisses. He is the best people dog you could ask for. I am his foster mom, and really and truly love this nerdy boy. He is perfectly crate trained, and amazing with my kids, ages 5 and 8. He is totally in love with our dog, a petite Pitti X named Ivy. I've never heard him bark and he has never had an accident in our home or destroyed anything.
Todd is a gentle soul, he loves to snuggle and will do so for hours. He is an old man in the sense that when out in the yard, he will wander the whole yard, time and time again, to sniff all the sniffs and find that most perfect place to pee, or to sit in the sun. He never asks for a thing.
The issues: Todd pulls like a bull on leash, all the time, no matter what. I choose not to walk him, simple as that. I go out into the yard with him, he loves games of tag and tug, and we get his exercise needs met that way. We have a volunteer dog walker most days of the week who owns a crazy puller Pit Bull himself, so he does walk Todd. He does calm down by the middle part of the walk, according to the walker, and from there is more attentive to the person, yes its a person, on the end of the leash. He would love to jog, and is amazing on a bike, you don't have to peddle!
Todd also can't be adopted out to a home with cats, or male dogs. He's met a few male dogs and doesn't charge in all ego or anything, he casually approaches and then latches on!! We didn't really realise what he was doing the first time cuz there was no warning. So, we held the dogs still til Todd let go, and were shocked to not find a single puncture on the other dog. With the cat, same thing, he saw it, chased it and got it.....my crusty old cat who isn't dog savvy....and proceeded to carry him around the house much to my house sitters dismay! When he dropped the cat, the house sitter of course rushed the cat to the vet, but again, no punctures, no broken bones, nothing. Honestly, if Todd wanted to hurt another dog or cat, he has the power and strength to do so, but we've decided that he just wants to 'hold' things. But, that would definitely not be appropriate and understood in all homes, so we are hoping that a home without cats and with a submissive and calm female dog would be interested in meeting the Nerd as he's affectionately called. Are you interested?
TODD in a nutshell : 4-5 years old, neutered male Pit Bull, amazing with kids, less amazing with male dogs and cats. Perfectly house and crate trained, about 75 pounds of puller and cuddler.
Foster homes opinion: Would I keep him....yes I would!
