Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
AVAILABLE SOON, around end of February
Barney Fife, is a handsome 9 yr old senior Lab with a beautiful bronze fur. He weighs about 82 lbs. He was found as a stray by a good Samaritan, who sought help from SCLRR, and drove Barney Fife to his foster home in Santa Barbara several weeks ago. We don't have any information about his history. However, his body and temperament tells the story of a dog who likely lived outdoors most of his life, yet was loved enough that he enjoys and is relaxed around all people- craving affection and responding to basic commands. He even knows how to 'shake hands'!
Since coming into foster shortly after the new year, Barney Fife has settled into living in a nice warm condo with his foster sister, a female lab named Lucy. Barney's neuter was delayed several weeks so that we could treat his skin with frequent medicated baths, which will allow several growths to be removed when he is neutered. His rough skin tells the tale of a dog who spent most of his life outdoors. The vet at Humane Society was pleased to see Barney respond so positively to frequent medicated bath treatment.
Barney Fife loves everyone he meets, male or female, young, old, and just wants to be loved. Once he settled into a routine, he has adapted to living in a relatively small home without having any 'accidents', and never barks or growls.
Barney Fife had obviously never been walked on leash, and due to his size and strength, he will need at least one family member who is physically able to work with Barney on continuing to work on his leash skills. He wants to run and explore, so having regular access to a yard would be a big plus. He absolutely loves to ride in the car, and is well behaved while waiting if you run an errand or two.
Barney Fife does fine being alone in the house for a few hours, usually just goes right to sleep. As a tall dog, 'the Lab in him' keeps an eye on nearby counters and tables, so food needs to be out of reach. He gets along well with his female foster sister, though the first few days he did show 'interest' in her, not surprising given he had not been neutered, AND Lucy is quite the looker. But he left her alone when she conveyed zero interest, and has never shown any aggression towards her. When on leash, he has shown some 'prey drive' when he has noticed birds, or cats, from a distance.
So, a home with at least one seasoned 'big dog' person, lots of love, another dog especially if a female, would be nice, but he is also just fine being the only dog. As mentioned, he would love a yard of his own, just to sniff around, lay on the grass and play with the tennis ball.
If you are interested in making this Lab part of your family, please contact your SCLRR family representative.
If you have not yet applied with us, please submit an online application to adopt; an SCLRR volunteer will then contact you. Please note that your homecheck must be approved in order for you to be put in touch with the dog's foster home.