STARSKY
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| *STARSKY* IN A NUTSHELL: No longer standoffish with new people, Starsky is a sweet and loving boy who only wants to be friends and offer love. Gets along with other dogs. | |||||||||||||||
| We first heard about this boy in late January from our volunteer and adopter, John, who had been contacted by Augusta with Cochise County Animal Control. Augusta just recently stopped working as an ACO with the county, and is currently working on a volunteer basis. Luckily for us, she was the ACO with rescue contacts and she has a soft spot for white shepherds (having two of her own). As soon as Starsky was picked up, Augusta received photos and info and she went to meet the dog and started reaching out to rescue.
According to Augusta, "The white GSD is in Cochise County. He was picked up by Cochise County Animal Control in Hereford, Arizona. He is approximately a year old, is not neutered and not UTD on vaccines as far as I know. Our assumption is he had a pretty rough life and was dumped. He was found outside of a boarding facility chasing cars (not aggressively). He is pretty timid and standoffish at first but warms up quickly and is extremely sweet. He walks well on a leash but does not appear to be housebroken (when he was taken into our office he had several accidents). With the brief time I spent with him, I believe he would be a quick learner and easy to train. I do not know how he is with other dogs but I believe he would be more on the submissive side. He is currently at the Benson Animal Shelter in Benson, Arizona. We held onto him for about a week in hopes of getting him into a rescue but we couldn't any longer as he was in the kennel at our office, designed for temporary holding for our working K9's. He was going to be euthanized as all shelters were full until a spot opened at Benson and we moved him as fast as we could. They are an extremely small shelter and if it is possible for you to pull him I truly believe that would be best. I don't see him thriving in the shelter environment." We reached back out to John, and he said he would be willing to drive to the Benson shelter to meet this boy on Monday, February 3rd.
UPDATE 2/3: John and Deb drove to the Benson shelter to meet Starsky (the name given to the shepherd by an animal control offer at the shelter) and sent us the above photos. John reported that he was, indeed, timid upon initial approach, but once John and Deb brought in their own two dogs (a male and female shepherd), Starsky lit up and was much more agreeable to making friends. We also made contact with Tammy at the Benson shelter who confirmed that Starsky was now updated on all shots, including rabies, and would be ready to go when John and Deb returned from their vacation -- they planned on swinging back by the shelter to bring Starsky to Phoenix. Tammy said she would be happy to take some additional photos of Starsky and send them to us. According to Tammy, "We gave him a bath and he was so good. We also had him out with 6 dogs in one yard today of all sizes and he was great. Even with the little snappy small dog. He just ignores them."
UPDATE 2/6: Starsky arrived in Phoenix this afternoon courtesy of John and Deb and their entire crew, just returning home from a camping trip! According to Deb, it took him about 30 minutes to warm up to her, and another 15 before he was giving her kisses.
Starsky had no problem at all in approaching and getting pets from our staff member -- he was wagging his tail the entire time. John couldn't believe the difference from the dog he'd met at the shelter just a few days ago. The first thing we did was to introduce Starsky to Zuko and Missy at his temporary foster home. He did well with everyone.
The three puppies had an absolute ball together and wore each other out. We will be scheduling Starsky's neuter surgery in the next week or two. He will be updated on vaccinations (as needed) and microchipped. He should be ready for introductions and adoption by the end of the month. UPDATE 3/2: Starsky headed off to a new foster home this afternoon with prior adopter Lindsay and her son, Joe. We're looking forward to some positive updates over the coming days/weeks. Starsky is available for introductions and adoption.
FOSTER UPDATE 3/5: "[Starsky] is a very social dog as far as crate training, unless you have another dog crated next to him the crate is out at night. ... We finally last night took him and put him with my son. He stopped. He wants to be with his people; he needs people or another dog to sleep with.
He needs another dog to play with who likes to play. Roo plays with balls, not other dogs. That's been my problem with Koda; she (Roo) has no interest in playing with him, but Koda goes in small spurts of playing and then he's over it and he plays really rough with his teeth .
What I've seen of Starsky and dog parks is he likes to run with other dogs ... but he has to get his energy out. We could stay at the dog park for hours. He loves to play. He's a puppy.
He's a happy dog, constant smiles, constant licks, and loves and snuggles -- not a mean bone in his body. He's gorgeous, beautiful. Loves kids, loves to be in my son's playroom around the kids and there wants to be a part of them and the fun. He love shoes -- put up your shoes! He loves these crinkly squeaky toys I got him. ...
Since the first day I talked to you, I got my cat inside and we've been doing cat training. He just has prey drive. I am pretty tough when it comes to my cat. The reason the problem started to begin with is that Roo and Starsky look alike; we mistake the two of them all the time. Millie my cat thought that it was Roo and she went running up to her to rub against her like she does -- it wasn't Roo; it was Starsky, and that's how the chasing began. I shook the can with pennies in it at him. ... It does work, though ... . If he doesn't see that can in my hand, he'll dart after her that stinker. But all in all, how can you get that mad at a dog that's that cute. I just make sure that the cat and him don't come in contact any further after last night.
The walk was cute the two older dogs waited for him when he stopped. When my husband had Roo and Koda and I had Starsky, they kept turning around and waiting for him. Finally, my husband just said, give me Starsky and that's how they walk together all tight and cuddly UPDATE 3/9: Starsky went hiking with his foster family today!
FOSTER RETURN UPDATE 3/12: "It has been a hard decision not to keep this sweet, goofy, lovable puppy. We all keep saying why do you have to do that to him. Believe me we tried to cat train. We wanted him!!
To the next potential adopter: He doesn't need to be crated. He needs to be with his family or another dog. He is an extremely social dog and thrives in a close environment with his people.
He was not destructive. The most he did was pick up shoes in front of you that meant 'Hello come play.' When I left to do errands, I left him out with my other dogs without a worry.
He likes the company of another dog. He needs it. He would always choose to sleep next to Koda, my grump 6 yr old White GSD.
He gives the best kisses.
He is truly a special dog and that fur is so yummy to snuggle with!
He knows when to settle down and lay down ... when it's nap time during the day.
He can be high energy when it's appropriate and low when needed!
You don't find this type of dog very often.
He truly is a winner
Adoption fee $425.00.
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