Entered: 04/28/2018
Status: Adopted
Age: 18 months
Color: Black/White
Weight: 64 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Dumfries, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, urinalysis results fine, receivies eye drops for red eyes during spring pollen season, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children, fine with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “Still a puppy at 18 months, Ziggy is a big, sweet baby who wants to sit on your lap and sleep in your bed.”
Ziggy started out his life amid family strife in Pennsylvania. Although his female owner and he bonded, the male owner did not like Ziggy and this pup was relinquished to a crate in the garage. The dislike was mutual and Ziggy would growl at the husband, something he never did with the wife. After consulting with a trainer, the female owner concluded that this was not a healthy living situation for her pup, so she relinquished Ziggy to MAESSR.
Still a puppy at 18 months, Ziggy is a big, sweet baby who wants to sit on your lap and sleep in your bed. Everything is new to him; Ziggy is nervous about his surroundings and is startled by any new sound. He pulls on a leash walk and jumps or turns to see a car, bus, and other dogs passing by. He does not bark but is nervous about all these new things.
Ziggy is housetrained, but does not like to be crated. He is fine all day in the house and he will stand by the door when he needs to go out. When his foster family is gone, Ziggy has the run of the house and has no bad house manners. He does not get on furniture but always tries to get into your lap. He sleeps in the bedroom with his foster parents and they frequently will find him in bed with them in the morning. Ziggy loves to be loved!
Although Ziggy has not had any formal training, he knows the commands “sit” and “come.” This good boy will stay on his foster parents’ property off lead and will come when called. Further formal obedience training with his forever family is advised.
Ziggy is fine with other dogs, but has not been around cats or children. On his morning walk, he passes by kids at the bus stop but has had no real interaction with them. When mealtime rolls around twice a day, Ziggy is fed in the kitchen and does not guard his food.
This big pup loves to play with his toys and wants his person to throw a ball, but he does not retrieve it back to the thrower. Ziggy loves the car and enjoys running at his foster parents’ farm. There is a creek on the farmland and Ziggy has proved that he is a happy swimmer!
Since he is frequently at the farm, Ziggy has been groomed short for easier care. He accepted his foster mom trimming his coat and feet. Good boy, Ziggy! The heavy pollen season has affected Ziggy’s eyes making them red but his foster mom has been using eye drops to ease this irritation. He has no ear or other allergy problems. Watch out, though, since he is a drooler!.
Ziggy is a perfect boy for someone who will take the time to train him and love him. He does not have a high energy level but loves his walks and running. This sweet and gentle big boy has not had a lot of good experiences in his past and needs a gentle owner who will help him explore his new world. He is a Velcro boy and always by your side. He just wants to be loved and please his owner.