Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
Needs special attention,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
🐾 Meet Finley: The Brave, Joy-Filled Burst of Pure Sunshine!
Age: DOB Sept 3, 2025
Weight: ~30 lbs
Location: Fostered in St. Jacobs, ON
Status: Seeking a dedicated forever family!
Finley is a vibrant, outgoing puppy who refuses to let his lack of sight slow him down. In fact, he is one of the most confident, brave, and joy-filled dogs you will ever meet! If you are looking for an adventurous companion who greets every day with a wagging tail, Finley is your boy.
Personality & Daily Life
Finley is a high-energy pup who loves his routine. He is incredibly sweet, affectionate, and happiest when he is close to his "pack."
Daily Adventures: He enjoys 15–30 minute walks twice a day, using his incredible sense of smell to explore. When he’s not walking, he loves running around a fully fenced yard or playing with his toys.
The Perfect Passenger: Finley is a phenomenal car traveler. He rides in his crate and may fuss briefly before settling in for a nap, comfortably handling rides up to 1.5 hours like a total pro!
Downtime: Once he's tired out, he is perfectly content to curl up beside you for a good nap.
Social Skills
With People: Everyone is a new best friend! Finley greets both in-home and outside visitors with happy enthusiasm, tail wags, and full-body rolls for belly rubs. Due to his puppy energy and blindness, any children in the home must be respectful, dog-savvy, and over 10 years old.
With Dogs: Finley loves every dog he meets! He can be a bit rough in play due to puppyhood, but he responds wonderfully to canine corrections and does well with both small and very large breeds.
With Cats: No Cats. Finley has a high prey drive and will persistently chase and bark at cats, ignoring their cues. He requires a strictly cat-free home.
Training & Adaptability
Finley adapts quickly to new environments and is excellent at locating people by voice. He is currently attending an adolescent life skills class and is a quick learner- he is highly food-motivated.
Skills: He has mastered "Sit" and has excellent verbal recall. His foster family uses the verbal cue "this way, this way, this way" to safely guide him with their voices, which he responds to beautifully. Leash skills are a work in progress.
Potty Routine: Finley is house-trained on a schedule. Because he is a puppy, he requires a family home more often who ensures he goes out promptly after meals and every few hours.
Stairs & Boundaries: Finley is confident jumping on/off furniture and going up stairs, but he hesitates to go down them and needs to be carried (he weights around 30lb). Its quite likely he could be trained to go down them but we prefer to keep him on the same floor we are on.
Puppy Manners: Like any teething puppy, everything seems chewable, but he redirects easily to appropriate toys. If he gets bored, he might find "toys" like socks or books, so keeping him occupied with chews and mental stimulation is key. Relaxed handling for grooming, ear cleaning, and nail trims is easiest when he is sleepy.
Finley's Medical Notes
Finley was assessed by Dr. Barboza, a veterinary ophthalmologist. For seriously interested applicants, we are happy to send the full specialist report to your vet clinic for discussion.
Diagnosis: He has anterior segment dysgenesis, a congenital malformation of both eyes leading to blindness. He has no sight in his left eye (which also notes microphthalmia, or a small eye) and we believe he can see some shadows in his right eye.
Current Status: Finley does not appear to be in any pain or discomfort and currently requires no medications. He has had two follow-up reassessments confirming his eyes are completely stable.
Future Care: His adoptive family will simply need to have their regular vet monitor his eyes annually for any changes as he matures but at this time he does not require any special care for his eyes.
Management & Guarding Behavior
Finley exhibits some resource guarding behaviors around his food, his bowl, and high-value chews. This is easily managed by feeding him in his own separate space, removing his food bowl before releasing him, and monitoring him around the treat cupboard.
The Ideal Forever Home
To ensure Finley's long-term safety and success, his perfect home must meet the following criteria:
A Securely Fenced Yard: A safe, enclosed yard is mandatory. No unfenced pools are permitted for his safety. Dog doors are not permitted.
Daytime Availability: Because puppies require frequent bathroom breaks and structure, we will only consider homes where an adult is home often throughout the day. He is comfortable alone for short periods (up to 3 hours).
Commitment to Blind Dog Care: A family experienced with blind dogs, or one genuinely committed to learning how to support and maintain a consistent, safe environment for him.
Dog Companion Dynamics: He would do well either as an only dog, or paired with a playful, non-dominant canine sibling. Any resident dog must be very patient, as Finley will accidentally bump into or jump on/off of them accidentally when navigating couches and beds.
Training Commitment: Adopters are required to enroll in a positive reinforcement method training class as part of Finley's adoption contract to set everyone up for success.
Age & Longevity Policy: Based on a puppy's life expectancy of 15–20 years, puppies are not a suitable match for older seniors (65+). Our priority is long-term stability in one forever home.
How to Apply
Hobo Haven Rescue is located in St. Jacobs, Ontario.
Please note that our dogs live in private volunteer foster homes, not a shelter facility, and we do not allow visits until an applicant is pre-approved. An application must be completed and approved—including veterinary references and a home visit—prior to meeting our dogs.
👉 Click Here https://hobohavenrescue.ca/dog-adoption-application to submit an Adoption Application
Finley's adoption fee has been reduced due to his blindness, to $500
Our adoption fees do not completely cover the extensive costs incurred by our rescue (including specialist vet expenses, food, and supplies). Anyone questioning adoption fees is invited to call their vet for a quote on providing everything that is completed for our dogs prior to adoption. Due to high volume, priority replies are given to applicants who meet all of Finley's listed criteria. No exceptions to our policies will be made, as they are strictly in the best interest of the dog.
Questions? Please email us at hobohavenpetrescue@gmail.com (Emails are best, as our volunteers work full-time!)
