Entered: 09/23/2017
Status: Rainbow Bridge
Age: 5
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 39 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, being treated for Lyme disease, receiving supplement for low thyroid levels, dental pending
Temperament: Unsuitable for adoption
Update 10/16/2017: “Though Kirin showed promise during his first few weeks in foster care, continuing evaluation by some of MAESSR’s most experienced families revealed an emerging personality that rendered him “unsuitable for adoption.”
A sad and thankfully infrequent reality of rescue is that not every dog can be saved. Though Kirin showed promise during his first few weeks in foster care, continuing evaluation by some of MAESSR’s most experienced families revealed an emerging personality that rendered him “unsuitable for adoption.”
God speed, Kirin. May you find tranquillity at the Bridge.
Original: “When he arrived at his foster home, it took Kirin about 5 minutes to decide he was home.”
Kirin was bought as a puppy from a pet store in Japan at 5 months old. He was a great dog for the family until his behavior progressively changed as multiple relocations and periods of absence occurred due to owners’ military service. Kirin started showing signs of anxiety/fear and would shake and hide for thunderstorms and loud noises when the owners left the house. The latest change was the birth of a daughter. It seemed he and his family were in a downward spiral where Kirin was getting more anxious because his owners were isolating him more and more to protect the daughter. He would push between owners and the daughter to get attention. The difficult decision was made to have MAESSR find Kirin a home that was more stable and where he would get more one on one time.
This sweet boy will “sit” and “lie down” on command for food and generally when he is inside the house. When he is off-leash, Kirin does not always follow commands, though. A promise of a treat will get better results as he is quite food motivated. Originally, Kirin was crate trained but he doesn’t use one anymore as he is dependable in the house. He rides well in the car, too, and walks well on the leash.
When he arrived at his foster home, it took Kirin about 5 minutes to decide he was home. He has been wonderful with all of the other dogs in his foster home. At bedtime Kirin sleeps on a dog bed in his foster parents’ room.
Kirin was wonderful for the vet and all of the staff. He loved getting groomed, too. At his vet appointment, he tested Lyme positive, so he is on a course of antibiotics for 30 days for this. His thyroid levels were low so he has been started on a supplement that will address that condition. The vet said he has a lot of calculus on his teeth and needed a dental. That will take place shortly.
Kirin also takes an inexpensive supplement twice a day to help his anxiety. It has helped a lot, but he is still being evaluated to see if that dosage will be enough. His adoptive family will be required to keep him on the supplement for a minimum of six months after adoption.
A very loving dog, Kirin enjoys being petted, getting belly rubs, taking walks, and snuggling with his people. He will be a great dog for someone who has more time and attention to give to him. Kirin would love to be an only dog, too, so he could get ALL of the attention and love!