ATLAS IS BEING FOSTERED IN SACRAMENTO.
Atlas is approximately 2 years old and currently weighs about 45 lbs. He previously lived with a 4-year old girl and gets along with most other dogs after a short warming up period.
Atlas has had a tough life so far. He spent most of his life as a stray on the streets of Taiwan, fending for himself in an environment where most dogs are viewed as nuisances, disposable property, or even easy targets for cruelty. Atlas was not only undernourished but he was also a victim of direct cruelty himself as he sustained an injured leg when somebody thought it would be fun to throw rocks at him.
He was finally rescued from the awful situation and taken to the vet hospital, where he had surgery on his leg. He still walks with a limp but is otherwise doing fine. Despite his condition and his past, Atlas is still very quick to love and bond.
Atlas has not had a lot of kindness in his life so he is understandably a bit wary and standoffish with new people, especially men. He is quick to warm up to women and children with the use of treats, but takes a little extra time with men. Give him some patience though and he will soon become comfortable enough to seek a good petting, as he did with his prior foster dad. He would thrive with continued socialization to people, especially men.
Atlas is on the mellow side though he does enjoy playing with the dogs he's lived with. He doesn't seem to care for dominant male dogs, but most other dogs he's ok with. And in fact, he has bonded very quickly, with both the male and female dogs he's lived with. Atlas is currently living with a number of cats. Sometimes the resident dog thinks it's fun to pounce on them and Atlas will join in, but the sight of a spray bottle will let him know that it isn't acceptable behavior.
Atlas is generally a well-behaved dog who is great around the house. He isn't destructive or hyper or overly needy. He can be mouthy and jumpy when excited, but his foster mom has helped him to curb this habit, although consistent reinforcement should always be provided when necessary. Atlas rides great in the car and enjoys looking out the window, watching the world go by. He's also fantastic on leash and a joy to go on walks with.
The ideal guardian for Atlas would have prior dog experience and not be afraid to take on a leadership role and integrate discipline and boundaries with love and affection. Atlas is used to relying on himself and needs a strong leader, not because he isn't well-behaved but because he needs someone to take the burden off his shoulders. It is stressful for him to feel like he has to be the one in charge, and he is so much happier and carefree when he has someone who can tell him what to do for a change. Atlas has made incredible strides in his foster home but he is still somewhat of a work in progress and needs a family willing to continue to reinforce the discipline and socialization he has received.
Although Atlas is fine with children, we recommend a home without small children as he can sometimes get carried away in his exuberance and could inadvertently injure a small child.
Atlas is a smart boy that would really thrive with training. He is cratetrained and housetrained to use a doggie door. He knows "sit" and "shake."
Here is what Atlas' foster mom had to say about him:
"Atlas has been with me, my Taiwan rescue dog Logan, and my cats for almost one month now. It doesn't take Atlas long before he's romping and playing with a new dog. I took both dogs with me to my Dad's in Clearlake over Christmas, and it took Atlas less than an hour before he was playing with my Dad's pit/lab mix, and she is an Alpha female.
"Atlas and Logan run around quite a lot in the backyard. Atlas has been around several dogs at the dog park, and has done well with all but the most pushy and in-your-face types. After a warm up period, he even does well with them.
"I don't think Atlas had any experience with cats prior to coming to my home. He still is not quite sure what to make of the cats, but he usually ignores them. He certainly has not acted hostile towards them, however, on occasion, he does act a little too playful, usually when my dog instigates it. On occasion, he has shown some anxiety toward the cats, but that is usually only when he is in his crate, and a cat has jumped up on the bed above him.
"Atlas does very well with women and children, and he has approached several men at the dog park, so he's becoming more and more social in that area. I would caution you to introduce a male slowly, though, as he takes longer to trust men then women. "
Atlas will take just a little time to adjust to his new family and home, but it will happen quickly and he will become your most devoted and loving companion for life.
Click on image to watch a video of Atlas' arrival into the arms of his first foster family.
If you are interested in adopting Atlas, please email your completed Adoption Application. We do request a $200 tax-deductible donation to help cover a portion of each dog's medical and transport expenses. A homecheck will also be required because we do want to be sure that each dog goes to an environment suited to them.
For an additional $50 tax-deductible donation, you will receive as a thank-you gift a doggie starter package. This includes a dog bed, a 5-lb bag of Canidae kibble, 2 ceramic bowls, leash, collar, toothbrush, toothpaste, kong, hypoallergenic shampoo, rope toy, and stuffed animal--almost everything you need to get off on the right start, at a fraction of the price you would pay at a pet store, and the proceeds benefit our rescued dogs.
According to the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Taiwan is among the worst places in
the world for animals. There are at least 2 million stray dogs in Taiwan,
many of them 2nd or 3rd generation strays. There are virtually no humane
societies, shelters, or even laws prohibiting cruelty towards animals.
Government-run dog pounds don't offer humane euthanization--instead, dogs
are electrocuted, drowned, burned, or left to starve to death. Certainly
very little if anything is done to curb the reproduction cycle. Strays and
cruelty towards dogs are such a fact of life there that most people turn a
blind eye. Horrible abuse cases such as that involving (WARNING -Graphic: )
"Thin-Necked Blackie"
happen more
often than we like to think and right in the public eye.
Needless to say, the chances of survival let alone a life of happiness for a
homeless dog in Taiwan is almost nil. Generally, dogs are not valued as companions and family members there as they are here. Small grassroots rescue teams in
Taiwan like The Animal Rescue Team, Animals Taiwan,
and Taipei Abandoned Animal
Rescue Foundation work tirelessly to do
what they can to give at least a small percentage of the millions of stray
dogs a chance at a better life. And in the majority of cases, the only
chance lies outside of Taiwan.
We Need Your Support!
Walkin' the Bark Rescue, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, relies solely on the generosity of public donors to provide our rescued dogs with the personal and medical care they require. Donations go 100% to the dogs. Your contribution not only helps us continue our efforts in enriching the lives of homeless dogs, it is also fully tax-deductible.
To donate online, click on the button below:
Donations may also be mailed to:
Walkin' the Bark Rescue
4464 Lone Tree Way #1064
Antioch, CA 94531
Atlas has come a long way at the dog park. Where he used to be aloof and wary of other dogs, he is now playful and curious.
