Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Hi My name is Dawson. I came to rescue from IL. I originally came as possible hospice due to unique needs but after being monitored by our vetting team , they said I was a perfectly happy boy and I though I have some limitations, with proper check ups, I am graduating from Hospice to be a special Adoptable dog.
From his foster: Dawson is bottled joy. He is the sweetest baby, perfectly content just to be in your company. He loves to play, and does so gently. He does beautifully with other dogs and kids. He absolutely loves the water! He would do well with a fenced in backyard with lots of turf where he can run around around--he still has some puppy energy to burn off! Dawson is all heart. He is a darling, darling boy, sweet and full of love. He needs a home that can provide him space to run around comfortably, due to his condition. He loves spending time outdoors, but walking on pavement isn't the most comfortable for him, as he tends to walk on his joint. He loves running on turf or a beach and, of course, being in the water. He is quite agile, despite his condition! He also loves the occasional massage or extra scratches, especially in the areas he can't always reach :)
From his temp foster:
Dawson is an almost-one year old, medium sized dog, who is transitioning from hospice to special needs adoptable! He has scoliosis (a permanent curve in his neck) and a poorly positioned front leg that his crooked neck pushes forward. He uses his "bad leg for balance and walking, but it does make him have a little limp.
Dawson runs and plays like crazy. You can hardly tell that he isn't a normal dog! He does pant all the time, sometimes even when sleeping, but this has been worked up by the vet team and found to be normal for him.
He loves his dog friends, and has not been around cats or kids but may do fine with them. He does stand on his back legs and rest his front legs on people or furniture, so he may accidentally knock over small children. While he will go in his kennel willingly, he hates to be stuck in there and will bark constantly; he is often left out when we are gone or overnight, and we haven't had any issues so far. No stairs for Dawson- too difficult with his funny leg.
Dawson is a complete delight. In the five weeks I have been fostering him, I have seen him learn how to swim, chase butterflies and stop to look at the sky any time there is a bird or a plane overhead. It has been incredible to watch him learn about the world and enjoy it for all its simplicities. He has, in turn, offered unintentional but gentle reminders for me to do the same--be present and enjoy. Dawson has an early wisdom, but also a contagious curiosity that reminds you he's still a puppy. He loves to play; he loves to be around people and other dogs. He enjoys a car ride and a road trip, where he can continue to look out the window and metabolize the world around him. At the end of the day, he is content to be wherever you are. He is a lovely, lovely dog, loyalist and companion and truly already a better person than I will ever be.
From the Vet:
Hi! I am Dawson and as you can see from my very cute, wonky self, I have some special needs so I will be looking for a special home! At a young age, my spine started growing in a curve pattern and I was later diagnosed with scoliosis. My caretakers at the rescue didn't know for sure what my quality of life would be like or if my condition would worsen over time. As a now 1 year old pup, we can confidently say and I really don't know I am any different. While the scoliosis causes me to get around differently ie. I can't always run as fast or get up stairs as easily as my friends, I am still stable and happy always! Amputation of my front right leg had been discussed as an option just due to the fact that it could have been getting in my way or causing issues since I can't rely on that side as well as I can my left side. Its not as strong and mobile, but its not causing any issues and I do use it to help me stabilize myself at times so that procedure was determined not to be needed. My respiratory rate was a concern in my previous foster home, but they took a good look at my lungs on x-rays and no issues there! My future home should be prepared to accommodate my unique mobility requirements, but really most of all I hope you love lots of kisses and hugs. Those are my favorite! I can't wait to meet you and find my forever home!
