Who do you live with?
I live with my foster mom and her wife, and they have a resident dog and a cat, but I have not met them yet and I don’t know that I ever will. I absolutely adore both my foster moms, but I spend most of my time with one of them, because she works from home and hangs out with me a lot. And she holds a special place in my heart because she’s the one who rescued me from the shelter.
WHERE DO YOU HANG OUT WHEN YOU ARE HOME ALONE?
In the detached garage, where I am also living right now. You can see more below about why I am not crated. I have been trusted to be free when I am alone for almost a month, and I just like to lie around snoring. I am really such a good boy. I do not have separation anxiety and I do not destroy anything while I am out there alone.
WHERE DO you sleep?
I sleep on one of my two beds in the detached garage where I live. My foster mom does not crate me. She did the first night and I slept so well there, because I was exhausted from the shelter. But the second night, when she crated me, I whimpered in the most pathetic way, she couldn’t stand it. I had already been through so much and she had watched me on camera already that day, so she was pretty sure I would not mess anything up if I was free to roam. And she was right! I was a perfect angel and just slept on one of my two beds all night. Oh, did I mention, too, that I snore like a freight train?
DO YOU LIKE WALKING ON A LEASH?
I do! I pull a bit at first but my foster mom is working on that and my harness is helping.
DO YOU HAVE ANY “NOT SO GREAT” HABITS THAT WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
I don’t know if you can call my reactivity a habit; it’s more like a part of my psyche at the moment. It does mean that I cannot be around other animals for now and that on walks, you have to be really, really good about keeping me away from my trigger, because it has the potential to cause deeper trauma. My foster mom is working on creating “new emotions” around this. But otherwise, no, I have no bad habits! I might stare at you when you are eating, but you can ignore me and I will give up and go away.
ARE YOU HOUSE TRAINED (DO YOU GO POTTY OUTSIDE)?
I’m potty-trained and I have not had a single accident!
DO YOU LIKE WATER?
I do not seem to mind it. I walk through puddles like they are not even there. I stand patiently for a bath and even though my foster mom put a raincoat on me recently to walk in the rain. (I looked so dapper and handsome in it!) I did not seem to mind at all when we both finished the walk soaking wet. Humans can be so cautious!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR FOSTER FAMILY?
I love their gentle pets, and how much they love and protect me. I get treats and I have a warm (or cool, depending on the time of year), dry, comfy place to sleep! Every day is a new adventure, filled with interesting smells, delicious food and new lessons. I love to learn. Even though I am a senior, I am not set in my ways!
WHAT WAS YOUR LIFE LIKE BEFORE BEING BROUGHT INTO NORCAL BULLY BREED RESCUE?
No one knows exactly, but I came into the shelter with severe trauma that vets determined had been inflicted upon me that day. They suspected a skull fracture and I also had puncture wounds from another dog. My right eye had to be removed and I had callouses all over my legs from having spent long hours lying on hard surfaces. I just wanted somewhere quiet to decompress and recover from everything, and I got it with my foster family. But I cannot live in their garage forever! While I am with them, they are spending tons of time with me, giving me love and training, and peace and quiet. But I do look forward to being inside a house one day. Will you please take me home with you and love me forever? I will be the cuddliest, most grateful creature you have ever known. 🥰
WHAT IS YOUR ADOPTION FEE?
$100
What do you look like?
I have a black coat with a white snout, chest and feet, and because I am a distinguished older gentleman, I also have some salt and pepper accents here and there. I am broad across the chest and medium height, and I only have one eye. More on that later. 😜
WHat do you like to eat?
I like kibble. I also eat any treat you give me, which makes me easier to train. Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks??
What kind of personality Do you have?
I’m a happy boy, who wags and wags and wags my tail when I see most humans. Even when I came into the shelter all beat-up and in so much pain, the medical staff commented on how my tail kept wagging and I was so friendly. Oh, and I love walks! At first, I charge along, like I have somewhere important to be, but my foster mom is working on that, and a front-clasp EasyWalk harness is helping. Also, once I do my business, I slow down a lot and really start to just smell the roses— er, grass and bushes. At home, I sleep a lot, because I am so relaxed and because I am a senior guy, who has lived a hard life (on hard surfaces) until now. I also love a good cuddle so much. I just push my enormous head against you and grunt like a pig. It is the cutest.
Describe your perfect day
My perfect day would involve lots of movies and TV with my humans; endless snacks; slow, meandering wanders through wide, open spaces without other dogs; followed by naps on a blanket in the sun.
What is your favorite Toy?
I do not understand toys yet, so my foster mom is trying out a few to see if I can learn to play.
Do You Know any Tricks?
I sit like a pro and I’m working on other commands like Stay, Wait and Down. I also know Shake. I might be nine years old, but I am smart and very treat-motivated!
What Scares you?
Other animals. Anything that moves in the distance. Loud roving groups of people.
Have you been around children?
No, not yet.
Do you like cats?
I would have to say “no, thank you” to cats. I am very reactive to anything that moves outside, especially dogs and cats. There is a foster cat inside my home but I am being kept completely apart from her.
How do you feel about other DOGS?
I have been through kind of a lot in my many years, and I would like to be the only dog in the house please. There is a foster dog inside my home, but I am being kept completely apart from her.
If you could be anywhere, where would it be?
Wherever you are. And if I’m allowed on your couch, I think that’s gonna be my favorite spot in the house. I love my dog bed, too, though.
HOw's your health?
I think I am pretty healthy for an older guy. I had my teeth checked recently and there are a few cracked ones, but they said they did not look too bad overall. My foster mom is going to start brushing them soon! My blood panel looked good, too! I am starting to get a little creaky in my joints and so I have a slight limp but I am pretty spry for an older guy.