GENTLE 'BOY'

MARSHALL HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY THE GIZZI FAMILY OF WAREHAM, MA! MARSHALL IS NOT AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY ANIMAL SHELTER. THIS IS A POSTING FOR HIS FOSTER MOM. FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE CONTACT KIM PERRY AT (606) 483-2959 OR EMAIL [email protected]. This GENTLE boy was picked up as a stray by a southern Ohio Dog Warden. 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. But 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.

His [future] foster mom saw this handsome fellow two days before expiration of his legally mandated 5-day retention period and took him out of his cage for a get-acquainted leash walk. She found his personality even more beautiful than his physical appearance. He walked very well on a leash and wanted to have his torso touching her whenever she stopped walking. And then she discovered that he knew how to sit, shake hands (with either paw), gimme da paw (with either paw), and down. He was not only well mannered but well "educated." So she told the shelter manager that she would pull him if no one else adopted or rescued him.

The next day, for some unknown logic, shelter personnel (none of whom are dog trainers/behaviorists or otherwise qualified to evaluate canine behavior) decided to "evaluate" Marshall [then unnamed] with an aggressive-acting Pit Bull and decided that, since Marshall responded aggressively toward him, they would not allow him to be adopted. (Well, now, if you were RESTRAINED by a leash and faced off with a menacing acting Pit Bull and, therefore, could not run in the opposite direction, how would you react ???) Having learned that the pound was DEAD SET on killing him during the next euthanasia session, Marshall's [future] foster mom, DID NOT SLEEP AT ALL THE NIGHT AFTER MEETING MARSHALL. But, after much PLEADING for another two days, his foster mom was authorized to rescue Marshall from the pound.

When he initially joined his foster home, some of the dogs with alpha tendencies "threatened Marshall with bodily harm" but he just outran them. One of the dogs INSISTENT in his desire to kill Marshall was Clifford, an 11.9 lb. "holy terror" Chihuahua. When Clifford would leap up at Marshall ferociously growling and baring his teeth, Marshall would just roll his eyes with ears flattened back and take off running. Whether running recreationally or in fear, Marshall runs like a Gazelle, even leaping over other dogs in his path--which is so funny to witness. Marshall has had no problems with over 40 dogs in his foster home except for one who insisted on "getting in Marshall's face when Marshall was constrained by a tie out," which Marshall interpreted as an aggressive action. Once Marshall was not tied up, he had no further reaction to the other dog getting into his "body space." In fact, Marshall is frequently seen affectionately putting his paw on another dog's back as he gently kisses their face. And he always poses his body in a subservient position when play tussling with other dogs.

Marshall also possesses some other endearing WUSS qualities: He likes to drink from a water hose and not only appears to wait for permission to do so but appears to intentionally avoid splashing his foster mom when he drinks from the hose. He squats to urinate. And he just sniffs a cat when up close and personal to one and then turns his attention elsewhere. And he really loves snoozing on a comforter in one of the many dog cages in his foster home.

On 2/13/10, Marshall weighed 72.7 lbs. at close to 3 years of age. He stands 26" tall (at the top of his shoulders) with a torso measuring the same (26" long from the base of his neck to the base of his tail). Though much more handsome, Marshall most likely hails from either the Boxer breed or the Bernese Mountain Dog breed--or possibly the short-haired Greater Swiss Mountain Dog--and might have gotten his short coat from Border Collie or Labrador Retriever "relatives." The "Berner" (as Bernese Mountain Dogs are affectionately nicknamed) is a draft dog that was used to pull carts and guard cattle in their homeland of Switzerland. They are more commonly seen today as loyal companionions, therapy dogs, and in obedience and agility rings. They are known as a gentle and affectionate breed and generally are especially good with children. Regardless of which of these breeds comprise Marshall's heritage, they are all sweet, loyal dogs.

Obedience training is always recommended for bonding and safety's sake for any new canine addition to a family, especially for a larger, YOUNG dog such as Marshall...even though he obviously has logged some time in obedience training already. Obedience training is as much for the GUARDIAN as it is for the dog. And, since Marshall has had "head start" lessons, he will be a very good student to help his human and is a great candidate for agility training or even as a therapy dog. His calm, gentle, affectionate nature ensure that he would be an excellent companion for gentle, elementary school-aged children for fun, yard games, and mutual adoration. And, since Marshall seems to have an undercoat, brushing is another bonding activity he would enjoy with his family members.

Marshall has been heartworm tested and started on heartworm preventive, vaccinated, and neutered in readiness for a loving and fun family.

MAGNIFICENT CANINE GENTLEMAN WILL MARSHAL YOUR HEART(S).