Dusty

Dusty, age 5

AVAILABLE 

Update 3/31/12:

More about Dusty from his foster home:

Dusty is a big, beautiful boy with a gorgeous head and stature. He is very affectionate with people of all sizes—we have two kids, ages nine and five, and he’s been submissive and sweet with both of them. He LOVES to play with his tennis ball, and he’ll play endless games of fetch with our nine-year-old daughter. He’s a smart fella: he comes when called, sits, and shakes hands on command. He doesn’t have much leash experience, but he’s learning quickly.

As his surrendering owner told us, he’s terrified of unsettled weather -- rain, thunder, lightning. As long as he’s near a human, though, he’s less nervous. In fact, he prefers to be indoors—doesn’t seem to care for the outdoors at all unless a person is out there with him (playing fetch, for instance!). Seems like he’s been trained to stay off the furniture, too. He is a bit anxious in general (not surprising, given all the recent upheavals in his life), but once we all settle down, he does the same.

Dusty gets along great with our two terriers, but has had a couple of little spats with our 8-year-old Golden over pets and his beloved tennis ball (NOT over food, though). As for our cats, Dusty has paid absolutely NO attention to them!

Bright & well-behaved, with a great personality, pretty Dusty has wonderful qualities to share with a loving, active family.

Update 3/27/12:

“Please take care of Cody and Dusty for me.”

It was the owner’s last wish: that  the dogs he loved so much would be safe and happy. He and his late wife had doted on the two boys—5-year-old Dusty and his dad, 9-year old Cody—and kept them in tip-top shape. Sadly, though, as the owner’s health declined, he was unable to care for the dogs as he wanted to. Still, their welfare was always at the top of his mind, even up until the day he passed away.  

His family, who adored Cody and Dusty too, at once stepped in and did what they could. A devoted niece collected the duo, determined to give them a new home. She had love to spare, but not enough time: she worked long hours, and the boys were used to lots of human companionship. Besides that, she was in a rental home, and storm-phobic Dusty chewed first some siding, then some fence boards during our March thunderstorms—which upset the landlord. With tears in her eyes, she contacted rescue. “I have known these dogs all their lives and they are WONDERFUL boys and deserve the very best,” she said. “I  would keep them if I could, but I need to do what’s best for them, and right now that means finding them a new home.”

“The very picture of a Golden Retriever!” said our intake volunteer admiringly about Dusty. “Super sweet and friendly, just loves attention. Energetic guy.” We do already know that  Dusty is terrified of thunderstorms and has successfully broken through fences and bolted when he happened to be outside and a storm blew in—but if he’s indoors and can stick close to a person, he’s fine, though he shakes like a leaf.

After a quick stop at the vet, where he was found to be nice & healthy, Dusty headed up the road to his foster home. Photos and details to come as he settles in!

Adoption Procedures