Moose is a 4.5 year old mixed breed dog (likely a schnauzer mix of some kind based on appearance). Everyone thinks their dog is the best but he really is amazing. He is loyal, gentle, well trained, and obedient. He has great recall and can be walked off leash or taken on trails and will always return when called. He is extremely well behaved and even asks and waits to be invited before jumping on furniture. He is also gentle and good with other dogs. He can be skiddish around new people at first but is always gentle. He can be shy with new dogs but once he knows them he absolutely loves having a friend around. He would do very well in a family with dogs already.
Unfortunately Moose does have epilepsy. Although the seizures have been infrequent (4 seizures in the last 2 years since they started), he has had some grand mal seizures where he looses bladder control and has convulsions. Once the seizure is done he comes out of it but is very disoriented and clumsy for 1-2 minutes. For an adult, it is easy to manage this (when he is having a seizure, just give him his space, and make sure he is in a place where he can’t hurt himself, and just wait until he is out of the seizure and back to his regular self before approaching. He should not be approached during the seizure). But we have an 18 month old and plan to have more children. A young child would not know to stay away during a seizure and could get hurt since the seizures can come on relatively quickly.
As impossible as this feels since he is the best dog ever and we love him so much, Moose would do best with someone who does not have young children and can safely handle his seizures when they do occasionally happen. He actually is super gentle with children and could be great for a family with older kids - as long as they are old enough to understand how to handle his seizures with safety and to not get scared.
It just is small children that are not a good fit since they may put themselves in an unsafe situation to no fault of Moose.
The ideal would be someone who has some land or outdoor space and no small children. He thrives outdoors (loves to hike, explore, etc) and has spent time both as an inside dog and an outside dog. As an outside dog, he is happy as long as he has another dog to keep him company. Looking for an amazing family for this guy that can take care of him and give him the life he deserves - he deserves the absolute best.
Dog: Primary Breed:
Other, not listed
Primary Breed (if not in list):
Suspected Schnauzer (not confirmed)
Birthdate, estimate is okay:
10/08/2020
Where did you get your pet?:
Rescue organization (he was born there, his mom was rescued while pregnant)
Adoption Day, when did you adopt your pet? An estimate is okay.:
01/04/2021
Size (at full grown):
Large
Weight (in pounds) at full-grown size.:
50
Primary Color:
Black (Mostly)
What are your pet's favorite toys and activities?:
rope, squeak toys, bully sticks, being chased
Has your dog received any formal obedience training?:
No
What commands does your dog know?:
sit, stay, come, ok
Has your dog ever exhibited any challenging behaviors, such as biting a person or another pet? If so, could you please share some details about the situation?:
His only bite was during a seizure while he was being held down (hence why he is given space during a seizure). He has never displayed any aggressive behavior outside of this, he is very gentle and good with people and pets
How does your dog react to being left alone for short periods?:
he is fine
Are there any specific triggers that cause your dog anxiety or stress?:
Busy roads with car noise or loud public places, loud sudden noises, being groomed or bathed (he just "freezes" or may shake, but he does not bolt or act out or make it challenging for the groomer)
Is there a particular routine that works best for your dog in terms of feeding, walking, and sleep?:
we feed him twice daily but he is very flexible with our schedule. He is very low maintenance
Medical History and Care:
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed or Neutered
House/Litter-Trained
Microchipped
Special Diet
Special Needs
Does your pet have any history of health issues or medical conditions that potential adopters should be aware of?:
Epilepsy (as described above). In the past he has had seasonal skin allergies (itchy red belly) but this seems to have resolved when we moved and was likely specific to where we were living at the time
How often does your dog require grooming (e.g., bathing, brushing, trimming)? :
Depends on his preferred appearance. We typically do monthly grooming and additional bathing as needed
Does your dog have any dental care routines (e.g., brushing, chews, professional cleanings)? :
no
Personality:
Playful
Constant Companion
High Energy
Medium Energy
Low Energy
Stubborn
Timid
Needs Training
Friendly to Strangers
Good with Other Dogs
Good with Young Children
Good with Cats
Bonded Pair
Requires A Fenced Yard
Crate Trained
Purebred
How is your dog with other dogs?:
Shy: A bit nervous around other dogs but not aggressive.
How is your dog with cats?:
Shy: A bit nervous around cats but not aggressive.
What's the most endearing thing about your dog?:
He rests his head on furniture as his way of asking to be let up - he will wait there until he is invited. He is also so loving and will nestle himself into any item of our clothing that is left out to take a nap in it just because it smells like us
What criteria are important to you when considering an adoptive family or home for your pet?:
Open spaces / land, no small children and no future plans for small children (to avoid him needing to be rehomed again). Someone who understands how to handle his seizures and is committed and able to manage this for the long term even if the seizures become more frequent over time. Someone who is affectionate and will make Moose feel loved because that is all he wants
Is there anything else you'd like your pet's new family to know?:
During his first seizure, I was holding him on his side (I did not know better), and he bit me as he was coming out of the seizure. I learned from this that he should not be approached during a seizure or during the post-ictal phase until he is back to his normal self (usually a few minutes after the seizure is over). For the seizures I have witnessed, they have been proceeded by him vomiting, and then his legs starting to shake before he starts convulsing (so these would be the signs to know to back away and wait until the seizure ends).
Why are you rehoming your pet (primary reason)?:
Pet Illness
Rehoming reason details (if necessary):
Although his seizure are very manageable for an adult, this poses a safety concern for small children who could get hurt if they are nearby when a seizure starts. We have an 18 month old and plan to have more kids soon. Moose needs to be in a family where everyone in the home is capable of handling the seizures safely (for their own safety and for Moose's)
If applicable, do you have the legal right or necessary permission from the breeder or rescue organization to rehome this pet? :
How long will you be able to keep your pet before you may need to consider surrendering him or her to a rescue?:
Not an option, my pet will stay with me for as long as it takes
Who is your veterinarian?:
Most recently - VCA Ponte Vedra Animal Hospital. Formerly Colony Veterinary Hospital in La Jolla, CA (they were his vet for most of his life before we moved)
What do you feed your pet, and does he/she have any feeding quirks or preferences?:
hard dog food, sometimes soft food as well. He will sometimes be picky and not eat his food hoping that he will be offered human food instead. He loves cheese
Do you have pet insurance for your pet? :
No
Would you consider a long distance adoption?:
How did you hear about us?:
Google Search
Service Level:
Priority Service: Fast-Track with Maximum Exposure
