Cider Golden Retriever & Yellow Labrador Retriever Mix Cincinnati, OH

8/7/19 UPDATE. Here are some tidbits from Cider’s foster mom:

* Cider is a very happy dog! He loves his meals, naps, car rides and trips to the park. We have been doing about a mile-long trail walk, and he has done fantastic!

* What a snuggle bug! He LOVES belly rubs, shoulder and leg rubs.

* He does this thing I call “happy feet” when he is hungry and will toe tap the ground very fast and try to make me hurry up and get his food ready.

* He is so good when I give him baths … even curls up and lets me trim his toe nails.

* He’s a bit of an early bird. In bed by 9 pm and likes to wake up bright and early for breakfast.

*****

Handsome, huh? Even more charming. Cider appears to be a golden retriever/yellow lab mix between 5 and 7 years old (estimated birth date 11/12). He was found as a stray, yet it’s obvious someone cared for him at some point. He’s got a sweet way with humans (large and small), he’s housetrained, great on leash, knows commands. When you first meet him, you’d never know his secret … this precious boy does not have a tongue. We not sure if he was born this way, had it amputated due to injury or disease, or suffered through something unthinkable … but—following Cider’s lead—we choose not to linger in the past and instead focus on how grateful we are to be able to care for this amazing dog and help him find his lucky family-to-be.

Even our vets are impressed by how well Cider has adapted. He is able eat and drink on his own. (Just drools a bit, ala St. Bernard or basset.) No kisses here, but he shows his love by leaning against volunteers, snuggling into our laps (all 60+ pounds of him!), or gazing at us with his big soulful browns as we tell him what a champ he is. Without a tongue, Cider is not able to regulate his body temperature through panting. So his exposure to hot sun and warmer temperatures needs to be limited. (Making him a great match for those of us who also tend to wilt in the heat!) Dogs’ tongues play a big role in communicating with other doggers (google it … fascinating!), so Cider is not a candidate for dog parks, daycare, or other big-dog-party type situations.

Cider has also been diagnosed with elbow dysplasia and arthritis. We are working out the best combination of pain meds and alternative treatments (acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments) to bring him greatest relief and quality of life. Spending his days in the softer comforts of a home (carpeted floors, grass, comfy beds, etc.) will no doubt help.

Even tho he doesn't have a tongue, Cider is great at saying "I love you" with a warm-fuzzy lean and a big smile. He’s a real survivor … a glass-half-full kind of guy in search of a family to share his love of life. He’s laidback and quiet, loves taking long walks, and making friends with every human he meets. If you think you can provide Cider with his happily ever after, we'd love to hear from you!

• All of our animals are spayed/neutered and current on shots.
• We do not do same-day adoptions; we ask that you return for a follow-up visit before taking an animal home.
• You must be 21 years or older to adopt from STAF.
• We require a 4-foot-tall physical fence for homes with children under the age of 11. We also may require a physical fence for specific dogs on a case-by-case basis, depending on each dog’s behavior and exercise needs.
• Invisible fences: Due in part to increasing coyote activity/incidents in the area and the difficulty of predicting how a dog will respond to invisible fence training, we cannot adopt to homes with invisible fences unless otherwise noted in a dog’s profile.
• We do request vet and personal references.
• We can facilitate adoptions within a 75-mile radius of our Cincinnati-based shelter.

Please visit www.STAF.org for visiting hours, a downloadable application, and additional information.