_________ B I O ______________
Name:  Rico Suave
Size: ~Large range: 61-100 lbs
Adoption Donation: $75 (applicable sales tax included). Adoption fees may be paid by cash or check. 
Other:  Neutered Male, Vaccinations current, Microchip, No other pets, No children, Fenced-in yard required
** Rico Suave qualifies for our  Seniors for Seniors Program.  This program places senior dogs (age 8 or older) with senior citizens (age 65 or older) at a reduced adoption fee of $65.00. If you qualify and are interested in participating in this program, please fill out an application online and type "SENIOR" after your name.
* Rico Suave requires daily medication for the management of his allergies. The cost of this medication is $180 for 3 months.
Rico Suave would luv to meet you!
Foster Home Feedback
*  NO Other Pets, NO Children, and  Fenced-in yard required.
* Rico has had several masses removed, they were sent to a lab for histopathology. They came back as suspect histiocytomas, but because that type of mass typically occurs in young dogs, the histopathologist is suspicious of cutaneous Langerhan’s cell histiocytosis. Though these masses are typically benign, they may continue to grow, and some may grow faster than others. We have seen some growth and then shrink. The masses may need to be removed per vet recommendation if they show signs of infection.
1/18/2023 Foster Feedback: Rico Suave has been with us since Christmas and we LOVE him! We are retired and mostly home and he is happy not being kenneled all day. Rico is just the easiest and sweetest old man and has excellent house manners and a quiet, loving, and gentle nature.
Literally, all he needs is a comfy dog bed or the end of a couch to nap on…and someone willing to give him frequent medicated baths to help his skin. Rico doesn’t play with toys or chew on bones but will be happy to take a walk on warmer days, go for rides in the car or cuddle up next to you. He is a champion napper…happiest when he is right next to you with his huge noggin resting on your lap
9/6/2022 Foster Feedback: Rico has been doing well this summer. He enjoys napping on the cement, going for short walks, listening to turkeys (they don't bother him), and playing 5 minutes of tug of war every week. It's a big regiment for a big fella in his retirement phase of life.
Rico has been doing very very well on walks; not reacting to other dogs or other critters out on walks. He is still a very treat-motivated old man. Rico sure would like to lounge in his forever home very soon!
7/21/2022 Volunteer Feedback: Rico Suave is a precious old man who would love to be someone's best buddy. His talents include snacking, pondering the meaning of life, and making sure the couch isn't going anywhere. He likes to be close to or directly on his people while just hanging out, or patrolling the great outdoors and taking in all the local sniffs. He's one of those gentle giants who may look like a grump but is secretly a total softie who isn't afraid to show his love with kisses and snuggles.
2/9/2022: Rico is the perfect winter dog in my mind as he has no interest in long walks in the cold or the snow; he just wants to go out for business purposes only. He loves his walks in the warmer weather of course. Rather than a long cold, snowy walk, he would rather just have a tasty treat out of his kong and then snuggle up for a nap. Handsome man Rico hasn't had any new bumps since the last bumps in the fall disappeared, so that is great news!
Rico recently attended a "VIP" dog event the rescue collaborated with Down Dog Studio and Rico got to spend half an hour getting about a million pets from strangers; he was an absolute ham. He is pouting and sad he didn't find his forever home but, he looks forward to you giving him the next million pets. Rico grows weary of his foster father coming home from volunteering at the shelter almost daily and smelling like other dogs while he sits in his kennel; it's just not right for an old pup in his retirement years!
8/27/21: Rico has been with me for a couple of months now. Rico was returned to the rescue after about 7 years, so he is really thankful 4 Luv of Dog has been there twice to take him in. Rico has been a very easy dog to have in the home. He is a fantastic house guest, I am more than happy to let him spend a little time here while he searches for that perfect retirement home. Rico will spend most of the day sleeping. He might follow you around the house a little but generally, he is going to find a cozy spot if there isn't a lap to settle into. Rico is kennel trained and spends his time while I am away in his kennel. He does well and seems comfortable. I always give him a reward for kenneling, and he usually gets breakfast in his kennel before I leave for work. He is potty trained and hasn't had any accidents.
Rico generally gets a little exercise after I return from work and then it's nap time again for Mr. Suave. Rico does love walking and exploring, occasionally even running. As a distinguished older gentleman, however, he doesn't really need extreme amounts of exercise daily as some dogs require. Rico is an oinker that absolutely loves his food and treats, which is great for training and having him follow your directions. That being said, his weight is doing pretty well and he has lost a few pounds since his initial vet visit, as the vet recommended.
Rico's transition from his old home of about 7 years to a stay at the shelter, then to my home was not very easy for him. He was also coming off a prescription of steroids per the veterinarian's advice. While he was completely content inside my apartment almost immediately, he did take some adjustments to the neighborhood on walks. Other people and dogs would stress him out if we got too close. He really needed decompression time to get used to his new surroundings. 4 Luv of Dog sent Rico and me through a six-week training course "Over Reactive Rover" through Down Dog Studio to help him overcome this hurdle, and it has helped immensely. Rico has been much easier and calmer to walk and has picked up very well on everything we have been taught. I would, of course, go over some of the things we worked on so he can continue to be successful in his retirement home. I would also encourage adopters to continue training as training classes are just as much for the owner as for the dog. I feel like Rico's transition from his foster home to an adoptive home will be much easier than the transition from the shelter to a foster home. This coupled with the training Rico has received has him really looking forward to lounging around with you, so please consider adopting Rico to help him finish his journey out of the rescue for good!!
To view additional dogs available for adoption, please see our website: www.4luvofdog.org
March 19, 2023, 11:40 pm
