Rusty is nothing but a "gentleman". His eyes communicate a "love lost" story. I wish he could talk and tell us what happened to separate him from someone who obviously loved him very much and spent alot of time with him. He is such an amazing quiet and gentle soul. He loves to be groomed and has a coat that shimmers with shades of dark chocolate. Rusty is approximately 7 - 8 years old and currently weighs 65 lbs.
Here is what else Rusty's foster family had to say:
I've not had an opportunity to have Rusty around small children, but he is soooo gentle with EVERYONE that he's met, that I can't image that would be a problem. He has no shyness at all to anyone....no difference for genders or ages. He plays beautifully with the cat (and the cat with him). My old dog has no interest in Rusty, so they just don't bother with each other. He ignores any squirrels, birds in the park....but his tail wags and head goes up when he sees another dog...he'd just like to sniff a hello if allowed.
He never barks. We block off the stairs so he sleeps on the main floor.....not a sound from him. No sign of any anxiety whatsoever.....we walked in the thunder and lightning storm the other day....he didn't even notice. Rusty loves to play fetch and roll on the floor with me :) I knew he accepted me when the morning after we brought him home, he found a ball, dropped it at my feet and sat down in front of me. I threw it down the hall, he trotted off after it and brought it back to my feet and sat. We played for about 20 minutes and when he'd had enough, he just layed himself down at my feet.
In the home he is very well behaved and is a low energy dog.....although he follows me EVERYWHERE....it's fun to pace back and forth across the room just to have him follow...lol). He only walks. I've got him to "trot" but that lasted about 15 seconds :) We showered together the day I brought him home....no trouble at all. He shed quite a bit of "winter fluff" but I don't believe that would generally be an issue. I've only heard him "bark" once ...more like a low groan.
Although he is in good health, his ribs are showing, but we're working on plumping him up. I've left a plate of food on the coffee table and he just looked at it.....no chance at all he'd take it. No checking out the counter tops either. He's beyond the "chewing stage". He'll eat what's in his bowl and not always finish....sometimes he just leaves it for later. When you give him a treat, he sits quietly waiting his turn until my dog gets his, then takes it ever so gently from my hand. The first time I held out a treat, he just sat in front of me beautifully. No command was even needed, although he does know sit and down. I've never had to ask him to drop it, or off. He is fully house trained however he doesn't seem to know how to signal that he needs to go out. He does not require a crate and shouldn't be put into one!
Rusty walks beautifully right beside me on a leash. I use an extending leash so he can sniff here and there, but never does he pull on it. He keeps a perfect walking pace. He must be used to a car, because he attempted to jump right in. The Jeep was high so we gave him a boost. Within a minute he was curled up and went to sleep.
This would be the most amazing loyal quiet companion for perhaps an older person who does not want any hassles or training at all. He's just a perfect mature dog. He would be fine for a first time dog owner or a retired person who enjoys going for walks every day...meeting up with friends. You could take this dog anywhere. He follows me everywhere and when we stop he just stares at me like I'm the most special person in the world.
If you would like to give Rusty the loving home he deserves, please submit an application for consideration.
