The status of West was
last posted on 01/15/24 by
Keep calm and woof on.
Male Dog, Schnauzer
Schnauzer (Short Coat)
Description:
West is 2-3 year old white Schnauzer who sadly ended up at the shelter as a stray. He is a special little 18 lb. guy who is looking for an equally special home to call his own. Despite his disabilities, West is a happy and quite independent dog that has some odd little quirky habits or obsessions that once you understand him, you will find kind of endearing – or at least we do. They are what make him unique. When he was rescued from the shelter he was matted, covered in feces and his crate was completely disheveled. There was also a warning sign on his kennel door that he might bite. But his foster mom learned quickly that he was pretty much all talk and it was likely a defense mechanism to cope with what he’d likely been dealing with all his life. Within the first few hours at his foster home it was obvious he could not hear and had sight issues. After a few more days it was discovered that he had been having seizures – usually at night in his kennel, which was why it was always a mess. He is currently taking Keppra which has helped significantly in controlling the seizures, which in turn seems to be helping improve his eyesight and we think his hearing as well – though neither is 100% normal. In just a few weeks he went from barely wanting to be touched to following people around to be pet and even rolling on his back for belly rubs – but only when he feels like it – and he has no issues letting you know when he’s ready for it to stop. West does not like to get up high, so he stays off furniture, but he does like a comfy dog bed so having a couple of them throughout the house is a must. He still does not like being picked up, but once he’s up and knows he’s secure he relaxes – until, of course, he is ready to be put down. He rides well in a car and seems to like walks, BUT he isn’t the greatest on a leash because he becomes obsessed with your feet moving (perhaps because that’s all he can really see) and thinks he needs to attack them – but if you’re up for it, so is he, just be prepared for some stares from your neighbors. While West cannot hear exceptionally well, he does seem know when food is being prepared or unwrapped and he is diligent about letting you know he wants some by barking (quite loud we might add) - usually dropping a few cheerios or pieces of dog food on the ground will do the trick but he’s also trying really hard to learn some cues on when to stop without getting rewarded with the food. Housetraining is a bit of a work in progress, but the good thing is he seems to be a creature of habit and go in the same small area 99% of the time (1% in one other spot) so setting up some puppy pads or old towels does help when you can’t keep an eye on him. In addition, he will tolerate a belly band most of the time so that is also quite helpful. He does have some cues to know he needs to go if you can catch him too. He loves to run around and play with other dogs and has no aggression toward them and will even let them steal food right out of his mouth. Sometimes he does get obsessed with their feet/legs as well but they know to just jump on the couch and they are marked safe – lol. With all the progress West has made in just a few months, we believe he will continue to blossom and hopefully one day his inner “lap dog” will shine bright and he’ll learn to enjoy walks without thinking feet are the enemy. In the meantime, he is perfectly content just hanging out and being in the presence of those who love him – and feed him . He’s really such a funny little dude with a ton of personality – we just want him to find the perfect home that will appreciate him for who he is – quirks and all. Friends of Jackson County Animal Shelter Pets (FJCASP) is a foster-based rescue for dogs and cats. All pets are in a home environment cared for by a foster person who provides temporary care until the pet can be placed in a permanent home. Friends of Jackson County is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. If interested in meeting this baby, you can find an online adoption application at https://fjcasp.wufoo.com/forms/adoption-application/ Adoption fees covers spay/neuter, vaccinations, wormers and preventatives and range from $125-$150. All of our animals have been heart worm tested and are on monthly preventions. You can help save a life by fostering an animal from FJCASP. If interested in fostering you can find an online foster application at https://fjcasp.wufoo.com/forms/foster-application If you would like to donate to help us help the foster parents with food, medications and preventatives you can paypal us at [email protected] or you can donate supplies at the LaundroMutt in Ocean Springs! FJCASP is a 501(c)3, nonprofit and all of your donations are tax deductible!!
