We are new to the network but long time supporters of Best Friends.  We are trying to find new homes for two of our five dogs  Here is their story.

THE STORY OF GUS & SAM

     Gus and Sam are two cattle dog mixes who were found together in rural Mobile County, Alabama in October 2007 during a Sunday afternoon drive.  They were both malnourished and covered in ticks from living in the woods.  After a lot of coaxing, we were able to get them into the back of our car and to our veterinary hospital.

     It took 5 days in the hospital to clear their system of all the bark, dirt, and junk they had been living on and to give them a chance to adjust.  After we took them home for a couple of weeks to relax, we brought them back to be neutered.  At that time, we were still thinking we would find homes for them as we already had 4 dogs.  However, as often happens, Gus and Sam became our dogs as well.

     We had always noticed that Gus and Sam played rough together and many times challenged each other.  They are brothers and the rough play always subsided, so we controlled it inside but basically let them play hard outside.  They had never shown anything but love for humans, and generally seemed to like other dogs as well.  There was one incident; however, where an off leash dog approached Gus and Sam when they were leashed with us and after some seemingly innocent sniffing, a fight started and it turned out to be difficult to pull the dogs apart.  The other dog required some stitches to one leg.

     We have been very cautious with the dogs in public since then and there had been no further events…..until October 29, 2009.  When we returned home that evening, after an outing in the yard, Gus and Sam came inside like always.  After a few minutes, they began to tussle a little, but it began to escalate.  Before we knew it, they were in the midst of a dog fight with each other like we had never seen before.  After trying unsuccessfully to break them apart with water and then other objects, we tried to pull them apart physically.

     Our hands got in the way of their mouths and both my wife and I received a couple of pretty bad dog bites that required some stitches.  A short time later, the dogs quit fighting for some reason and we were able to separate them and take care of ourselves.  The other 3 dogs stayed out of the way and were not involved.  Gus and Sam both had numerous puncture wounds and both were treated at our veterinary clinic where they remain now recuperating.  Both are on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

Gus and Sam now need an organization to come forward and accept them into their program for professional rehabilitation and placement.

     Unfortunately, we are not equipped or able to provide Gus and Sam with the training and reinforcement they need to become more confident, predictable, and properly socialized pets.  Nor are we willing to be involved in a direct adoption to another person or family as we are now of the belief that not only should Gus and Sam ultimately live in separate homes, but they both need additional professional training and observation. 

     Subject to approval, we would be willing to pay for the costs associated with (1) delivering Gus and Sam to your facility, (2) professional evaluation and training, (3) boarding costs for reasonable time thereafter.

     Gus and Sam are approximately 3 years old and are now residing at our animal hospital awaiting another chance to prove that they can be good pets.  Except for these few isolated events, we have found Gus and Sam to be very affectionate to people.  We would love to see them have another chance with someone else. 

     If you or your organization would like further information or would like to discuss accepting Gus and Sam, please contact Glenn at bluetick25@gmail.com  Thanks for your immediate consideration as Gus and Sam are ready to travel and  start their new life.