UPDATE: On Feb. 23, 2014, Buddy found his forever home! He now lives with a loving family including a little boy and another playful pup.
***************
On January 2, 2014, Buddy the rescue dog began his journey from a lonely, hungry, and neglected existence to a wonderful future life with a loving family. We found out about him through a local rescue group called Project HALO. When they posted
his photo and the plea to help rescue him before the weather turned bitterly cold, we knew we had to help. Before his rescue, Buddy lived out his days chained to a tree by a choker collar. He had been put on a chain at only 2 months old, and lived there for a year. He was given far too little to eat and was always kept outside, with a makeshift doghouse as his only shelter and a kind neighbor who would sneak him food and attention. Luckily, his owner willingly gave him up so he could begin the journey toward the life he deserves. Buddy is a gorgeous shepherd-plott hound mix who appears to be about 14 months old. He's heartworm negative and in surprisingly awesome health. He craves food and attention in equal quantities. We are currently fostering him, and are doing our best to spoil him with both. He's an extremely smart dog…a little stubborn but quick to learn, and quick to give kisses when he knows he's done well. He's slowly being introduced to our two dogs, and there have been lots of sniffs and kisses through the door of his kennel. He's very curious about our two kitties, and they are about him as well. Since the kitties are so much smaller, in our house, the pecking order goes us, the cats, and then the dogs. He's learning that. He's adapting well to the crate (we have two for him, with a larger sleeping crate in the bedroom so he can sleep with the pack). He doesn't like to be left alone, which I can understand after a life of forced solitude on the end of a chain. But he's learning to settle himself. We take him out to play in the back yard, and are bringing him out on a leash to have couch time with us each evening (with the other pups either put away or in a down/stay or place. We're training him based on what we learned through The Dog Wizard for our two pups. So far, he's good with come and sit, he's learning to wait/stay, and getting better with heel. He is extremely bright, and seems to want to please his people. As he craves attention and food, both are good reinforcers for training. The best forever home for Buddy would have a tall fence in the back yard and people who are willing to pay attention to him and work with him to help reinforce all the proper skills he needs to fit into a family. He attaches quickly….he would be a loyal and affectionate pet and protector for his people. If you have any specific questions, please message this page.
