In 2016 LARC put a dog named Buddy through the Pawsitive Direction Program for someone who had been privately fostering him and needed to find him a forever home. LARC did not take ownership of Buddy, but knew we could help, as an organization with a prison dog training program, the person who had brought him back to health from a neglected emaciated condition by being a stepping stone in Buddy’s journey to his happily ever after. He was adopted and spent the next 8 years in what we all thought would be his forever home, but at 12 years old, sweet Buddy needs a new home to live out his remaining years.
Anyone who has followed LARC long enough knows I don’t sugarcoat things and this situation will be no different. Last year, the dynamics in Buddy’s home changed. It was absolutely none of my business after 8 years and his adopters definitely weren’t obligated to tell me what was going on in their private lives, so I was shocked when I got the call last week letting me know about that change in dynamics and why I was getting that call. Nobody could’ve predicted why. Buddy needs a new home at 12 years old because his adopters separated last year, his mom moved across the country, and his devoted dad recently passed away very unexpectedly and his mom is unable to take him. He was left with his dad because of their bond. I know how you’re feeling right now because, honestly, I feel a twinge of that, too, and I can’t sit here and tell LARC followers not to feel that way when I do. Our feelings don’t matter right now, though, because there’s nothing we can do about it and finding Buddy a foster or FOREVER home is what’s of the utmost importance.
The call came from the daughter of Buddy’s dad. Yes, I was shocked his mom hadn’t called me. His daughter explained the situation and how she and her sister had been trying desperately to find a new home for Buddy asking trusted family, friends, her dad’s neighbors who have known him for a very long time and Buddy since 2016. They’ve been unsuccessful and don’t know what to do at this point, so she reached out to me as the rescue who had helped Buddy all those years ago. I’m struggling, as well, because I don’t have any available foster homes or know anyone looking to add a 12 year old dog to their family. Buddy isn’t a LARC dog, but I can’t turn my back on him either. So, here I am posting Buddy in hopes a magical foster or FOREVER home will appear or maybe even another rescue who can take him into their organization. I know you’re asking yourself why can’t either of the sisters take Buddy or the original personal foster. The daughter I’ve been speaking to lives in California and owns a restaurant which keeps her busy 12 - 14 hours most days. After discussing with her family potentially bringing Buddy to live with her in California it was decided her home isn’t what’s best for Buddy. Her sister, who has been living with her dad since last year, is going to move in with their grandma and he’s too big according to the rules. The original foster is not in a position to take him back.
Facts about Buddy:
* He’s a LAB mix. LARC is a Bully breed focused rescue which means we have no problem labeling a Bully breed a Bully breed, but Buddy is not a Bully breed. All of his paperwork from then to now have him labeled as a Lab mix.
* Neutered, UTD on shots, heartworm negative, and microchipped
* Hasn’t been socialized with other dogs since he got adopted, but was ok with other dogs prior to. His mom told me he was bitten by a Chihuahua and didn’t react and doesn’t react to other dogs while out on walks. If Buddy goes to a home with another dog, it’s only fair that dog be mellow like Buddy. He doesn’t need high energy in his life at 12 years old.
* While Buddy lived with a cat is his original personal foster home and was fine, I’m going to say no cats because Buddy’s dad taught him how to chase cats out of the backyard.
* Great with kids
* House/kennel trained
* Well trained
* No known medical issues. He did injure his knee 7 years ago, but it was addressed and he’s ok. After getting adopted Buddy was overfed and became very overweight. Thanks to the sisters, he has lost weight and looks a lot better. You’ll see the difference in the first two pictures vs. the rest. (Friendly reminder, food does NOT equal love)
Aside from the training he received in the PDP, Buddy is wonderful with people who have physical disabilities and use a wheelchair, cane, or walker. His dad was in a wheelchair and from the beginning he walked on a leash next to his dad like he had been doing it his whole life. No, he can’t be a service dog, though. Buddy and his dad were best friends and he has shown that he misses him. Our hearts are completely broken for him as he not only lost his companion, but his life is about to get flipped upside down and he doesn’t even know it. Buddy deserves a soft place to land now. While we’d LOVE to see him go to a FOREVER home, a foster home is good, too. He deserves this.
We’d prefer Buddy stay in Florida, but if the PERFECT home is found out of state we’ll consider it. If you’d like to add this distinguished gentleman to your home as a foster please send us an email. If you’d like to adopt Buddy, please fill out the adoption application and send back to loxanimalrescuecomm@gmail.com
http://www.larcdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/LARC-Adoption-Application.pdf
