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My basic info
Breed
Labrador Retriever/Great Dane
Color
Black - with White
Age
Young
Size
Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg) (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Male
Pet ID
0840
My details
Not good with kids
Good with dogs
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
Has special needs
My story
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Here's what the humans have to say about me:
Roy and Buck arrived at the shelter in July 2013, so traumatized and unsocialized that they were practically catatonic. In most shelters, these dogs would have been held for 3 days and then euthanized; our volunteers saw that the boys were totally non-aggressive, and we decided to take a chance on them, to see if they could recover and become adoptable dogs.
After two months at the shelter, Roy and Buck allowed us to pet, massage, and talk to them when they were in their kennels, though they were still reluctant to approach people on their own. They would play with each other (and their brother Elvis, who was the leader and who has since gone to his new home for a trial adoption), but would avoid the volunteers' attempts to engage with them.
Now that they have been with us for 9 months, they have begun showing joy and a sense of fun and play with people. Roy is the new leader, and he will approach his favorite volunteers and take treats from them by hand; Buck will sometimes follow suit, but usually will be found a few steps behind Roy, allowing his brother to take the risks.
When they are tired of playing with each other in the big dog yard, they will escort themselves back into the building and get into their own kennels; we just have to leave the door open and stay out of the way, they will run past us as long as we are not right in front of the door.
They have not completely picked up potty training yet - very hard to do in a shelter setting - but have at least learned not to poop in their kennels, so cleanup is a bit easier now for each shift (phew).
The biggest obstacle to the boys' success is still their inability to be walked on leash, and guided where you want them to go. The minute a leash is attached, or even someone grabs one of the collars, they drop to the ground like a stone and will not be moved. There is hope - brother Elvis has started responding like a "real dog" in his new home and can go for short leash walks, so we have hope that Roy and Buck will also be able to pick up that skill.
We have begun separating the boys when out for play time, and giving them a chance to interact one-on-one with the volunteers, instead of as a "team." They do well with many other dogs, and some of our volunteers bring their own dogs from time to time, to give Roy and Buck an opportunity to observe "normal" dog/human interactions. We believe they now need to get out of the shelter environment, where we may have brought them as far as can be done in an institutional setting, and into a patient and loving home where they can get individual training and attention.
Ideally, Roy and Buck will either find devoted foster homes, or truly special adopters, who understand the challenges of undersocialized, "slightly broken" dogs like these. They have finished their vaccinations, been neutered, microchipped, and dewormed, so are ready to go stay in any foster home that has the patience and skills to work with them - yes, even in Seattle or Idaho. If the fit is right, we will make it happen. A fenced hard is a must, and they can never be allowed outside unsupervised; if they escape from the fenced yard (which can certainly happen), they will NOT respond to humans and may never be recaptured. We think they will do best if they go to separate homes, with or without a resident similarly-sized dog for playtime.
If you are up for the challenge and would like to foster one of the amigos, you would also have first chance at adoption, should you develop a bond.
The video shows Roy and Buck playing (!!) with one of the volunteers!
Roy comes with an open-ended foster placement, or a 30-day money-back trial adoption period.
Foster care comes with a starter 40# bag of Science Diet dry food (which can be replenished on our monthly transports to Spokane or the Seattle area, or the foster parent may provide food), dishes (if needed), and any other supplies we can provide to help the foster parent. Forget Me Not covers all necessary veterinary bills for foster dogs (though these dogs should not need any routine care for several months).
For permanent adoption, spay/neuter, worming, microchip and all age-appropriate shots are always completed before placement, and are included in the adoption fee (suggested minimum $50; more gratefully accepted!)
Can't come to Republic? Don't let that stop you! We have monthly transports to both the Seattle area and Spokane, delivering adopted pets to their new owners. If you can add a little to your payment to help us cover our volunteer driver's expenses, that would be great!
