Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Not good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Mini Schnauzer
4mo/ DOB 12/14/24
Neutered/ 6lbs
Microchipped/UTD vaccinations
Please read the bio in its ENTIRETY. If you feel your family is a perfect match, please send an email to gateway4paws@gmail.com for additional information. Applications & FAQ regarding adoption can be found on our website.
Only completed applications that meet requirements will be reviewed. Since we are 100% foster-based rescue, only approved applications will be contacted. We do not allow shipping & do not transport. You must live within 350 miles from Maryville, IL & be able to drive for a meet & greet.
Aiko was released to our care because he had a heart murmur. When we got him, you could feel his heart beating, in a wishy-washy rhyme, when you held him in your arms. He had very little energy, although he loved to be held & snuggled. He simply didn't have the energy or spunk a normal puppy would have.
We contacted University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the Cardiology team was able to get him right away. He was diagnosed with a PDA, Patent Ductus Arteriosus. This is a congenital heart defect where the ductus arteriosus, a temporary blood vessel that connects the aorta (main artery) and pulmonary artery (artery to the lungs) during fetal development, remains open after birth. PDA is one of three most common congenital heart defects in dogs. Early correction of PDA leads to a normal lifespan with no long-term complications. Dogs treated early have an excellent prognosis, often with no need for lifelong medication.
Aiko had surgery & has been cleared by his medical team! The surgery was a complete success & Aiko has been given the chance to be a normal happy puppy! Aiko will need to go for a recheck in about 6months. We anticipate this visit to be unremarkable & for the cardiology team to confirm that everything still looks great.
We like to remind applicants that a new puppy is a lot like a toddler. Aiko will need to be supervised, and the best way to do that is to have a dedicated space set up for him. This area will be a part of the home where he can see activity & observe, but it is a place that is puppy proofed. Where he can play, lounge, or nap when his family is not directly engaging. Playpens, x-pens, or a dedicated area of the home that has been puppy-proofed are excellent tools to make this possible. X-pens are easily mobile if you want to move them around, too.
If you have a fence you will need to make sure any gap is fixed/secured. If you do not have a physical fence, an x-pen will be fine to allow him to do his business outside. You need to check your fence very well for any gaps or areas that need repaired so a curious puppy cannot escape. No puppy should ever be left in a yard without supervision, NEVER EVER.
Aiko is working on potty training. It is a process that will require commitment & patience, as puppies have a little puppy bladder. Remember, in a new home, a new environment means that new habits will have to be established. If you have interior stairs, please have a plan to keep your puppy off the stairs unsupervised. Additionally, please be aware of the stair railing & the distance between the spindles.
Bringing home a new puppy is a huge responsibility. It requires lots of patience & time! But it is very rewarding if everyone is invested. Please apply if you meet the requirements & would like to adopt an adorable puppy. Please don’t apply without speaking to your spouse/partner first.
