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My basic info
Breed
Shiba Inu/Golden Retriever
Color
Tan/Yellow/Fawn
Age
Adult
Size
Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg) (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Male
Pet ID
–
My details
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
Housetrained
My story
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Here's what the humans have to say about me:
Atlas Woodrow Maximillian is a very special dog who has experienced the worst of life and yet still retains his spirit and ability to love. He's about 3 years old and weighs approx 50 lbs. We're not sure of his breed, but he is extremely loving and extremely loyal to his family. He's generally a mellow dog at home and doesn't require a ton of exercise, but he also has a playful streak. He's housetrained and crate-trained, walks wonderfully on leash, and knows a few basic commands. For the right individual or family, Atlas will bring inspiration, joy, and a whole lot of love into your life.
Atlas has lived with children, dogs, and cats. He is gentle with children and the neighborhood kids like to come over to pet him, but rambunctious children can make him overly excited and then he starts to play a little too rough. He's great with most other dogs and can live in harmony with cats, though he sometimes like to tease (but not harm) the shyer ones. Atlas used to be more wary towards men but he seems to have mostly gotten over this during the time he's lived in his current foster home.
Atlas is generally very well-behaved around the house. He's not destructive and not constantly in your face for attention. He is content to sit quietly in the car, looking out the window and watching the world whiz by. Atlas is housetrained, but he likes to mark new smells. He's never marked inside the house at his foster home, but as a precaution (and I would say this about any dog), he should be closely supervised when inside the house for the first couple of weeks until he gets used to all the new smells.
Atlas is a very cognitive dog and sometimes it feels as if you can hear the wheels in his head turning. He's very smart and quick to grasp new things, and he wants to please his leader. He knows sit, stay, release, down, off, go, no, and leave it, and has the potential to learn more. Because he takes direction so well and in fact, craves it, it is important that he go to someone knowledgeable about and comfortable with providing structure, boundaries, and leadership. Atlas is the kind of dog that will take his cues from you. If you let him get away with unwanted behavior, he will learn that it is acceptable and will make it a habit. By the same token, if you reinforce boundaries and the discipline he has already learned, he will understand what you expect of him and will act accordingly.
Atlas is currently being fostered in Sacramento. Please email your completed Adoption Application if you are interested in meeting him. There is a $225 tax-deductible adoption fee, which will include his crate. Atlas is neutered, microchipped, and current on shots and heartworm, flea, and tick preventative. A homecheck will also be required because we do want to be sure that each dog goes to an environment suited to them.
Atlas is the kind of dog you think of when you think of Man's (or Woman's) Best Friend. He is happy to be where you are, to go where you go. He's unassuming and undemanding but will always be near when you need him. Atlas asks for so little yet will give you his heart in return.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to read ATLAS' HISTORY.
ATLAS' HISTORY
Atlas 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 and extremely weak, he was also a victim of direct cruelty and sustained an injured leg when somebody thought it would be fun to throw rocks at him.
When Atlas was found, with most of his hair missing, he had collapsed on the street. He was taken to the vet hospital, where he had surgery on his leg. He still walks with a limp but it doesn't cause him pain or stop him from running, jumping or playing. His hair has grown back but there is a permanent scar on his back. Despite the horrors he has faced and the resulting battle wounds that may stay with him forever, Atlas is still very willing to love and bond.
Atlas Arrives in the US for a Chance at a New & Better Life
If you are unable to adopt Atlas but would like to help, please consider making a small tax-deductible donation. Any dollar you are able to contribute will go a very long way in helping to pay for Atlas' vet care.
