CAL

CAL HAS GONE TO LIVE WITH HIS NEWLY ADOPTED FAMILY IN RICHMOND, IND. CAL IS NOT AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY ANIMAL SHELTER. THIS IS A COURTESY POSTING FOR HIS FOSTER MOM. FOR MORE INFO, CALL KIM PERRY AT (606) 483-2959 OR EMAIL [email protected]. This sweet boy was picked up as a pitiful mangy-looking stray by a southern Ohio Dog Warden on 10/8/09. By law in that Appalachian area jurisdiction, a stray must be retained 5 days before euthanasia in order to provide the owner an opportunity to reclaim their dog. Therefore, this sweet boy's 5-day retention period expired 10/14/09. The routine WEEKLY MASS EUTHANASIA at this shelter (to make room for the inevitable influx before the next weekly kill day) is scheduled for Tuesdays to coincide with garbage pick up day for disposal of the dead bodies. So, Calhoun (then nameless) was scheduled for euthanasia on 10/20/09.

From his mostly bald appearance at the time, Calhoun very obviously hadn't been taken care of by his owner, so the shelter didn't figure he would be claimed by his owner. For the same reason and because he didn't totally look like a purebred Rottie, the shelter also didn't think he was going to attract an adopter or a rescue. Because they know that Calhoun's current foster mom has a preference for rescuing Rottie mixes, they emailed her on 10/9/09 (the day after Calhoun was picked up as a stray) to let her know that he was available for "rescue" and that they thought he had mange.

His foster mom pulled him out of the pound on 10/14/09, at the end of his legally mandated 5-day retention period, in order to get him to the vet right away to begin treatment of his skin condition. At an estimated 3 years of age on 10/14/09, Calhoun weighed only 56.1 lbs. Fortunately, Calhoun's skin condition was NOT mange but a BAD skin infection. His skin infection was treated with 200 mg of the antibiotic Simplicef twice a day 10/14/09-11/10/09 accompanied by a graduated protocol of 20 mg of the steroid Prednisone 10/27/09-11/14/09 to arrest his incessant itching.

Calhoun also tested positive for E. Canis (Erhlichia) during his veterinary exam 10/14/09 but treatment had to be delayed until after completion of treatment for his skin infection. So, beginning 11/11/09, Calhoun and was put on 250 mg of the antibiotic Doxycycline twice a day for 30 days to eliminate the Erhlichia. Erhlichia is commonly referred to as tick fever because it is transmitted by the Brown Dog Tick if the tick has fed on an animal infected with Erhlichia. Erhlichia causes anemia and low blood platelets and can be fatal if not treated.

On 12/14/09, when taken back to the vet for neuter surgery, Calhoun's weight had reached a much healthier 69.7 lbs. Standing 23" tall (at the top of his shoulders) with a torso of the same length (23" long from the base of his neck to the base of his long tail--which doesn't show up in his photos here), Calhoun's weight will remain stable in a healthy 70-75 lb. range.

Although his tail is not docked and he does not have the well known breed standard tan eye brows, cheeks/muzzle, chest, and legs, Calhoun actually appears to be a Rottie without the familiar markings ascribed by the AKC's breed standards. These photos are of poor quality because of the scarcity of winter sunshine to show off his SHINY and beautifully and uniquely marked coat. His foster mom, who is a Rottie fan, thinks Calhoun is prettier than most Rotties with the standard markings. He has the handsome physique and very sweet and gentle temperament. And he is always ready to reciprocate (or initiate) loving affection with his people as is so typical of the Rottweiler breed.

Although not wild about sharing a food bowl, Calhoun loves to hang out and play with the dogs (of all sizes) in his foster home. But he seems a little afraid of the cats in his foster home. When one of them rubs up against him, he very respectfully and quietly moves away from them. As part of his routine for escaping the ministrations of dog-friendly cats, Calhoun has perfected the fine art of belly crawling--both forward and backward.

On the canine "activity scale," he probably registers more at the end for coach potato/lounging partner. HOWEVER, because he has mastered the "fine art" of fence climbing, Calhoun will need a six-foot wooden fence to prevent his climbing out and running all over the surrounding neighborhood, making human and doggy friends and/or, perhaps, getting shot by someone whose property he has infringed upon.

Obedience training is always recommended for bonding and safety's sake for any new canine addition to a family, and this smart boy should make an excellent student. He immediately accepted his name and his affectionate nickname of "CAL." He is very calm, well mannered, and eager to please.

This gentle-natured boy undoubtedly would enjoy the companionship of gentle, elementary school aged human siblings in his adoptive family and might even become less of a couch potato with the stimulation provided by games of fetch and tug. Participating in Calhoun's training classes would be an excellent forum for teaching children the virtues of non-drug, non-sex related activities for recreation, as well as for forming a strong basis for bonding with their new canine family member.

Having been started on heartworm preventative, vaccinated, and neutered, "Cal" is ready to join a permanent family to share his life, love, fun, and happy memories for many years to come. UNIQUE ROTTIE BOY AVAILABLE FOR LIFELONG FAMILY COMMITMENT.