Adopt a Unknown breed (short coat)

Meet Dezi.  This letter below is from his foster mom.  It is a long read but well worth it.  Dezi is a very sweet, laid back guy looking for his forever home.  He most likely will need to be the only dog.

Dezi is a 115lb Mastiff mix with a laid back personality. I think he is an older dog based on his activity level, coloring and occasional "selective hearing".  When he arrived at my home, he was heartworm positive and in need of affection.  He really didn't seem interested in any attention or affection and he didn't know how to play.  I didn't know how much to attribute to his physical condition or the fact that he never had anyone who played with him before. He also did not know how to go up and down stairs or get in the car.  However, this has changed a lot during the past three months that he has been at my house.  Dezi successfully went through heartworm treatments.  He now also craves attention and lots of it!  He has become my "couch buddy" for those rare opportunities that I can have a moment for a nap or a little TV. He also wants to be near me - where ever I am.  He also loves to lay in front of the fireplace on the rug.  Dezi also loves to ride in the back seat of my Mini Cooper.  He prefers this to the Tahoe......

 

Dezi loves his food.  He eats twice a day (2 cups each per meal) without hesitation.  He has had a grain-free food - Taste of the Wild - Buffalo mix.  Desi also loves his treats - all grain free - especially chicken jerky. 

 

Dezi has a large soft bed that he sleeps on, along with two small soft blankets. He uses the blankets for pillows or has been known to sleep under them.  Because he searches for me when I leave the room, I do have to crate him for the time that I go to work  so he doesn't wander through the house.  He has no problem with the crate and goes in it easily with a couple pieces of chicken jerky as an enticement. I will be sending his bed and blankets with him as this will help with the changes from my house to someone else's. I did have someone come in every day to let him out after approximately 8 hours in the crate.  He would then go back in after a break until I got home every night.  This was not a problem as he needed to stay quiet during the recovery from the heartworm treatment. 

 

Dezi does need a yard with a secure fence.  He will run if he gets the chance.  The fence must also be a secure one.  During the first week he was with me, he learned to open the gates to the yard.  When I secured them, he was able to force one off the hinges.  After I learned a better way to secure the gate he has not gotten out again.  He also learned to open the door to the garage and slipped out of there also.  

 

Dezi would do better as an "only" dog.  However, I did have an assessment done by a local trainer that felt he could be with the "right" dog if introduced in a slow manner in a controlled environment.  He would do better with a quiet dog with the same temperament as him.  It would be better to have professional assistance with introducing him to another pet. 

 

Dezi takes no medication other than heartworm preventative on the first day of the month and flea/tick repellent every three months. When he came, he had scars from fly bites as well as numerous old injuries which are now healed up. He has an old ACL injury on the left rear leg.  Someone didn't bother to fix it and it is too late now. He has a definite swagger but does not seem to be in pain. Dezi has lots of small skin tags on his body as well as one large one on his left side.  The vet felt it best not to take it off as there might be more issues with taking it off than leaving it in place. 

 

Dezi really doesn't play with toys.  Again, I attribute this to not feeling good. I have several that I am hoping that he will become interested in.  I would bet that if the weather gets better and he can get outside, he will run and play as he is starting to do this in the house!  He walks well on a lease and sits on command.  He really doesn't know what to do with a ball and he does not know how to fetch.  

 

Dezi does not get aggressive with humans. He is good when introduced to adults as well as children.  His personality is very docile and laid back. He is almost like a house plant - I feed him, water him and let him out and he really doesn't require much more.  Dezi really does not cause any trouble. He does not jump on people and barks only when he wants to go outside or if he is wanting attention. 

 

He is a dear boy and would make a great companion for someone.

If you are interested in making this sweet boy part of your family, please go to our website and fill out an application.