Bear Black Labrador Retriever & German Shepherd Dog Mix Libertyville, IL

Look at that face....isn't he adorable?! His name is Bear, he is about 7 months old and is a Lab/Shepherd mix (at best guess). He came to Placing Paws as an owner surrender down in southern MO. By looking at him you would never believe that he is still a true puppy as he is tall and weighed a (un)healthy 90 pounds when he first got here. Although he should lose a good 15 lbs or so in order to help his still growing body, he's already down to 83 in just one week of good quality dog food and consistent exercise. We are walking him two times a day right now and as it starts to get nicer and he can spend more time outside running around, the weight should come down even easier.

He is VERY laid back for a puppy, which he is, but its hard to remember that with his size. However, given his age, he does tend to have those little spurts of energy, but then he settles down nicely for a nap. He does needs some leash training but he's getting better every day. He is s fine in a crate and is completely house-trained. Right now he is in the crate from 7:30am to about 3:00pm.

He is great with our 12 year old daughter and her friends; came up to her immediately the day he arrived and LOVES to cuddle with her---or anyone for that matter. For his size and age right now, we do think that a home with kids older than 5 years would be great given his goofy and clumsy antics, and because he really doesn't know his own size or strength....he totally thinks he's a lap dog! At night he sleeps on a dog bed in our room and sleeps through the night.

He absolutely LOVES to be outside, even in this weather. He comes in, lays down in front of the glass sliding doors and just stares and waits (and sometime whines) to go back out. He loves it even better when he has a friend to run around with...canine or human :). He has experienced doggie daycare and loved it. He loves to play with other dogs was said to have lived with a beagle and a cat. His owner surrendered him as he just got too big for him.

Bear has such a wonderful and loving personality, so please don't let his size get in the way of meeting him and taking him home. He will get slightly smaller before he gets bigger and while he will wind up being a large dog overall, his heart is just as large. Give him a chance....you won't regret it.

ADOPTION FEE: $300.00 The adoption fee includes all age appropriate vaccinations including rabies, HW test if age appropriate, de-worming, microchip, fecal, spay or neuter, Heartworm and flea and tick preventative. ADOPTION PROCESS: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY The first step in the adoption process is to fill out an application online at www.placingpawsrescue.org. Once we review the applications, those applicants that are thought to be a good match will be contacted as quickly as possibly. We ask that you please be patient with us as we are all volunteers. Then a telephone interview will take place, references checked and a home visit will be conducted. We will then arrange for you to meet the dog. We require that all family members, including current dogs meet the dog prior to adoption. We put all of the known information in the animals description. If the animal is listed on the website, we are still accepting applications for that animal. We only remove the animal when the final adoption paperwork is signed. The best way to contact us is by email at placingpaws@yahoo.com. It is very difficult for the limited numbers of volunteers to return all calls. Thank you.