Entered: 02/19/2015
Status: Adopted
Age: 10
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 45 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Princeton, NJ
Health: UTD, HW-, Lyme-, benefiting from a supplement for joint health, gaining to a healthy weight, dental complete, almost completely deaf
Temperament: Good with people as young as 11, good with other dogs, reportedly not good with cats
Update 03/22/2015: “I REALLY love children. I mean, I really love children! In fact, kids come over to the house to ask to walk me. How is that for animal attraction?”
Seniors and special needs dogs are the best…just listen to what Ravi has to say:
“Hi, I’m Ravi!
I am one lucky dog and the furever parents who get me are going to be lucky, too. I am looking for that special match! During the miserably cold winter, my foster mom heard about this poor fella (me) who was in Washington, DC. A kind woman found me but, due to the ice and such, she was afraid to walk me so she kept me and fed me in the back yard. That was cold, I can tell you! My foster mom saved me and brought me to Princeton, NJ. Since I was a stray, and the woman couldn’t tell much about me, I don’t have a history. My foster mom and MAESSR have been trying to put it all together.
It seems I didn’t have vet care for a long time and had to be brought up to date. I’m now fully vaccinated, my teeth have been cleaned, and I’ve had a full health checkup. Not only do I feel great, I look great, too. I am about 10 years old and from my prior life must have been very well trained. I am about 95% deaf, but when my foster mom tells people, they don’t believe her; I guess that I have lived with it for a while. You just need to keep me on a leash so you don’t lose me again! I know “sit,” “lie down,” “shake,” “time for a walk,” “time for bed,” and – the most important of all – “time for dinner.” Not bad! No counter surfing or trash diving, just well-behaved Ravi.
I get washed in the tub, but hate for my feet to be groomed. I haven’t had a swim yet, but my foster mom thinks I will be a show off there, too.
I love people. All types, all ages. I just walk right up to them and say “HI!” I REALLY love children. I mean, I really love children! In fact, kids come over to the house to ask to walk me. How is that for animal attraction? I get along with all dogs but I prefer kids to other dogs. I’ll admit it, I won’t be mean to a dog but I just prefer people and kids. I have been around a lot of dogs, but I want YOU. If I had to share a house with another dog, that is okay. My foster mom is unclear about cats, but I am willing to take a try. Considering my laid back attitude, we don’t see a problem given the proper introduction.
Being 10 years old, I understand that I am a senior. I do take a joint supplement to keep those wheels greased. But, if you want me to run, I will run. If you want a stroll, I will stroll. I am really laid back. You set the bar and I will live up to it. Two of my favorite hobbies are riding in the car and playing ball. Here’s the thing: I am one of the dogs that actually brings the ball back!
If you want a fun, low maintenance dog, I am your furever match. Call my mom, she will give you any info you want to know. I am “what you see is what you get” and she makes sure there is total transparency in all information. I am a looker and I look forward to hearing from you!
Ravi”
Original: “With his even temperament, Ravi makes friends easily with other dogs and people on walks.”
When an elderly Good Samaritan found Ravi wandering around her Washington, DC neighborhood, she started feeding him and confined him to her yard. She really could not care for him considering the ice and snow and had to keep him outside despite the weather. She realized that he needed a better living situation so she contacted MAESSR for help.
Ravi is deaf and it appears that it has been for a long time. One would never guess it, though. He comes when he is summoned by the flick of lights or getting his eye attention. His foster mom has taken him to an enclosed area off leash and he does not run off; instead, he keeps her in his sight always and follows her.
This people dog is housetrained. He will either bark, stand by the front door, or pace in front of his people if he wants to go out. He is not crate trained but his foster family sees no reason to crate him. Ravi is confined to the kitchen when family members are away. At night, he is confined to his foster parents’ bedroom; otherwise, he has run of the house.
Ravi has great house manners. He does not jump on furniture and he does not counter-surf or trash dive. There is no begging or inappropriate chewing from Ravi! He enjoys sleeping in his own bed or on a carpet. What a great dog!
With his even temperament, Ravi makes friends easily with other dogs and people on walks. He is a happy boy when guests come visiting. The youngest child he was exposed to was eleven and he was very gentle. Reportedly, Ravi is not good with cats, but his foster mom has not been able to confirm this.
Responding to hand signals, Ravi knows “sit,” “lie down,” and “shake.” He walks well on a leash but will pull if he sees something good like a deer. Additionally, Ravi LOVES to ride in the car and is a good passenger.
Ravi has a good energy level for a boy his age and he plays with a stuffed toy from time to time. His foster family feeds him in the kitchen and he has no food aggression. Good boy, Ravi!
Now that he is receiving good quality food, Ravi no longer looks emaciated and is gaining to a healthy weight. His foster family’s vet is bringing him up to date on his vaccinations and luckily, his blood work showed that he has no heartworm or Lyme disease. He is receiving medication for some slight arthritis. He was great at his vet exam, too. Although he has not gone to the groomer yet, his foster mom gave him a bath at home and Ravi was cooperative. He hated the blow dryer and nail clipper, though.
Ravi would be better with a calmer, quieter forever household rather than a busy one with lots of activity. Having a secure fenced back yard would be a plus for this deaf senior and having another dog for a companion would be nice too. Most of all Ravi wants a loving family with whom to share his golden years.
His foster mom raves about him: “Ravi is really a very good dog. Honestly, there is no training to be done. He is good and someone has trained him to his deafness. You would never guess unless you called him by name!”