Takoda

Takoda's foster mom says, if he were able to write up his own classified ad, it would go something like this: “Mature male, looking for company. I’m a gentle giant of a guy who wants to win your heart and create a forever relationship. I love walks on the beach (or the park, or the woods, or anyplace at all, really). I love going for rides in the car, but there is nothing I love more than learning new things and sharing adventures with you. I am very intelligent; I live to please and will follow you around all day, making sure you receive lots of love. I don’t really know how to play, but I have a playful and loving nature and am willing to learn.” GSRNE first learned about Takoda in November of 2005, when we received a call from the ACO of a shelter that had been taking care of him for months. Everyone at the shelter really liked him, and they were worried about the way the noise and stress of kennel life was wearing him down. He had begun pacing in his kennel and was barking at other dogs as they were walked past his cage. He was fine around other dogs when out of his kennel, and he was friendly with all the cats at the shelter; he liked everyone who worked there or came to visit, and the ACO begged us to give him another chance at a real life. His age was estimated to be eight years; but during his Intake Exam, another veterinarian thought he was closer to six years old. The personality/temperament evaluation went beautifully, and Takoda was taken out of the shelter and placed in a foster home, where he flourished. The ACO had discovered that Takoda was heartworm positive and Hypothyroid, and he was treated for the former and will stay on an inexpensive supplement for the latter. After a few months in foster care, he was adopted by a wonderful family, who had two young children and a senior female GSD. It was a busy family, living right in the city; we hoped Takoda would adapt to being a city dog, but it wasn’t to be. The noises and stresses gradually began affecting our boy, and it became obvious to his new family that he wasn’t very happy; the only time he seemed to relax was when they took a vacation into the country. Two of our volunteers went to meet up with his adopters at a parking lot and were very moved by the last-minute hugs and tears that Takoda received. He was very patient and cooperative during the long car ride and transfer into a new foster home, where he has been enjoying the low-key environment and regular walks on the beach. Takoda has been described by his foster parents as a walking vacuum cleaner; in addition to gobbling up anything edible that is within reach, he will chew up and swallow pine needles, leaves, socks, clam shells, almost anything, when he takes a notion. If you can keep things off the floor, the way you would do for a three-year-old, that trait can be managed. If you are looking for some quiet companionship, like slow walks and car trips just for fun, and if you are familiar with the GSD need for good leadership and consistent training, please ask us about Takoda.