Owner entered hospice. Re-homing/foster dog

Cary NC

Description

Lucky’s owner has entered hospice for cancer, and needs to rehome him by the end of this month, but preferably sooner. The owner has exhausted all other possibilities. In case this gets shared outside of my Friends, I'm active in rescue, and have spoken with a few. You're welcome to tag rescues, but he is a tough foster placement. Our local rescues are overwhelmed with trying to get adoptable dogs from our overcrowded shelters before they need to euthanize for space. I'm more looking for a permanent home for Lucky. If anyone is willing to foster, I may be able to get foster support. Lucky is a ten year old, 60 lb black lab mix who needs to lose 5- 10 lbs. He has THE cutest speckles on his feet and tail. Ideally, his new home would be with an experienced owner, somewhere quiet. A farm is ideal, but he will need to be contained, or he will run off occasionally. He loves walks, and generally does well on a leash. He does NOT seem to be leash reactive. A home with some fenced space, or a person willing to walk him regularly would also be good. Teenagers are fine, but no small children. He has been dog tested and seems to get along with other dogs. He has a prey drive, so he may chase cats, but he has not been specifically cat tested. He didn’t seem to pay much attention to horses. He originally lived on a farm and did very well there. He now lives in an apartment, which seems to stress him greatly. He is protective of his territory, and the apartment has a lot of activity outside. When I met him, I found him to be a very nice guy! He was very happy and friendly. I did meet him at a neutral location and not at his own home. Lucky has been with this family since he was 6 months old. He is very loved, and very well cared for. There is a sixteen year old girl with a broken heart because she can’t take Lucky with her. She really needs to know that he will go to a good home. Lucky is up to date on vaccines, and has always received his heartworm preventative. He comes with a few months of preventatives. Now for Lucky’s challenges. He always guards bones and treats. He occasionally guards his food dish. This can be fairly easy to work on. Unfortunately, he is so protective of his home that his current owner puts him in a bedroom when guests come over, for fear that he may bite them. This can also be worked on, but may need a trainer. Lucky also does not like to be manhandled. He walks and jumps just fine, but is a bit stiff with age, which can be improved with glucosamine or high quality CBD. It’s possible that being handled may be a bit painful for him, but not wanting to be handled seems to be something he has always had. He will give a brief warning snap with no contact if you move his leg to untangle a leash, for example. He becomes aggressive at vet visits, and will most likely require sedation. He is fine with receiving affection, being stroked and petted. He knows the difference, lol. But this guarding and grumpiness is the reason for him needing an experienced owner, with no small children. Lucky LOVES car rides and will hop in literally any car. However, he barks constantly during rides, due to excitement. If he’s tired from being a bit active, he does not bark so much. I believe that Lucky needs a lot more exercise than he currently receives, which will help greatly with his stiffness and behavioral issues. He may be a very different dog with a different owner and/or different atmosphere. There will be a vet check and home visit, with follow up contact for a time. A home trial is a possibility. Hopefully, Lucky’s new owner will be open to visits from his 16 year old girl. She is lovely, and incredibly sweet. I will ask for a rehoming fee, which will be put towards a vet visit, at a location of your choosing. Is anyone able to offer this poor guy a soft place to land, and ease his family's worries?