Count Chocula Flat-Coated Retriever Kiowa, OK

Count Chocula is ready to share his story! ?

My life was not supposed to end up like this. When I was just a pup, I was the more timid guy. I liked to hang back and keep watch on things. I wasn't someone who trusted easily, but once I saw you as my friend...my person...you were it. I loved you through and through. When you took me home as a puppy, I was not sure what to think of you. But then you got the ball out and started throwing it, and I was sold. We immediately became best friends. If memory serves me right, we didn't really go anywhere. I didn't meet strangers and I had no need to. It was you and I against the world. As long as we had one another...it would all work out.

But life happened. It got in the way and sent us going different ways. You ended up needing to give me up and surrender me to the shelter. I wish I could put into words how TERRIFIED I was. I had never been away from home...away from you. The other dogs kept trying to tell me to warm up some. That people often overlook the shy dogs..and I tried. When people opened my kennel door I came up for pets but when it shut...I was back to my nervous, timid self. I couldn't help it. I had no idea what happened. Where did my warm bed go? Where did my home go? Where did you go?

I waited for you. I had hoped that you would come back...although I knew deep down that we would never be again. And that hurt. But things happen for a reason. This rescue ended up pulling me, and I am thankful they did. You see, I ended up catching kennel cough at the shelter and it turned into pneumonia. I felt pretty bad for a bit, but thanks to my foster's keen eye and the help of a vet I am all better now!

You may think this letter is for you, but it is actually for me. It is my way of saying goodbye. We had some great times, but we were not meant to be forever. And that is okay. Because that means that someone else out there needs me... as I need them. I have ended up somewhere great, soon I will find my forever family. I can only hope that wherever you are...that you are doing good as well. Goodbye old friend........
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I appreciate you guys standing by while I let that out of my system. I thought it would be a good way for you to get a glimpse into my past and who I am now. I have started a new chapter in my life, and I am excited to see where it takes me.

My name is Count Chocula and I am a 2-year-old, 56lb male Flat-Coated Retriever mix.

The thing about adopting is you should not do it unless you are absolutely ready. That means you can commit to me for the rest of my life. I am going to be so loyal to my family, and I ask the same in return!

To help make the decision process easier, I had my foster family fill out this questionnaire for me!

-How does your foster act when meeting new people?
Count Chocula is pretty shy when meeting new people. Once he's had a chance to meet you, he will want to play ball with you!

-Has your foster been to any public settings?
Count Chocula went to the neighborhood park and met ppft's AWESOME photographer. He was a little nervous but was super excited to show off his tennis balls and trot around the park off-leash.

-Does your foster like going on walks?
YES! Count Chocula LOVES to go for walks. We don't think he went for many leash walks prior to PPFT. He gets very excited and will zigzag from side to side, but he doesn't pull very hard, and just has the MOST fun!

-Do you think your foster would enjoy going on hikes?
Yes! Count Chocula would love to go on leashed hikes with his family. He is very quick and loves to chase after squirrels and birds, so his new family will want to keep him on a leash and harness when going for walks.

-Is your foster leash trained?
We are working on it. He has improved already. He doesn't pull very hard, and leash walks are one of his favorite activities! He may wrap the leash around your legs accidentally. He gets so excited and can't make up his mind which side of you he wants to walk on.

-How does your foster do on car rides?
Count Chocula is a CAR DOG! He loves to sit up and look out the window. He may help himself into the front passenger seat and co-pilot. He would probably do best with a dog seatbelt so he can't crawl into your lap while you're driving.


-Does your foster jump on people?
Yes, he jumps up when he is very excited. His foster family is working on this and has an appointment scheduled with a dog trainer later this week.

-Describe your foster dog's energy level?
Count Chocula is an active, playful, very happy little guy. He is ALL ABOUT HIS TENNIS BALLS. That said, he loves to flop over onto his back for belly rubs.

-Is your foster a big chewer?
Count has chewed up several of his tennis balls. He has not shown destructive chewing otherwise, but also has been with our other dogs (he has not really been left by himself)

-Does your foster like to play fetch?
Yes, Count Chocula is obsessed with tennis balls and playing fetch. He would play fetch all day long if we let him. He LOVES to play ball with people.

-Does your foster like to play in the
water?
Count Chocula was petrified in the bathtub but did let us bathe him. I believe he would enjoy playing in the water.

-Does your foster play with Toys?
He really wants to play fetch. He gets excited to play with plush squeaky toys but isn't very interested in playing with them unless he's playing fetch with them.

-Does your foster have food aggression?
No.

-Does your foster resource guard?
Yes, he will resource guard his tennis balls inside the house. He doesn't seem as interested in guarding food or treats.

-Do you think your foster would be okay with free-roam of the house even if you are away?
Yes, Count would do well with free roam. He would appreciate a longer-lasting chew treat, like an oinkie, to chew on while left in the house.

-Is your foster potty trained?
Yes, Count Chocula is potty trained. He will tell you if he needs a potty break during the night - he will start to howl softly if he needs outside to potty.

-Is your foster kennel trained?
Count will easily go into a crate if asked but is miserable if he is shut in a crate. He wants to be with his people.

-Where does your foster stay when no one is home?
Count Chocula stays in the kitchen when nobody is home.

-Where does your foster sleep at night?
He sleeps in the kitchen with our female dog, Shade. He really would prefer to sleep snuggled up next to us on our bed, but our male dog, Harry, is not okay with that and will try to pick fights. I believe Count Chocula would do great sleeping on the bed next to his people.

-Would your foster dog do good in an apartment?
No, Count Chocula would not do well in an apartment.

-Is your foster a big barker?
Count Chocula only barks when he is separated in the house from his foster family. He does not bark as much if our female dog is with him. Count gets lonely if he is by himself.

-Is your foster good with other dogs?
Yes.

-How does your foster act around other dogs?
Count Chocula is a little shy at first but does enjoy patrolling the backyard with our two labrador mixes.

-Does your foster need another dog in his new home?
Yes, Count Chocula would love to have another dog to play with, or at least keep him company. If his new family doesn't have another dog, he would like a family that is home most of the time so he doesn't get too lonely.

-Is your foster good with cats?
Unknown. Count has not been fostered around cats.

-Is your foster good with kids?
Count would do well with older, dog-savvy kids who will take him for walks, throw his tennis ball for him, and give him LOTS of pets!

-What would be your foster's ideal home?

Count Chocula's ideal home would have either another friendly, playful dog to keep him company or a family that is home most of the time so he doesn't get lonely. He loves to be outside, whether going for leash walks, rolling onto his back for tummy pets in the sunshine, or playing tennis ball. He is a true retriever- he LOVES to play fetch! He would like to sleep in the bedroom with his people, and ideally on the bed. He is a bona fide snuggle bug. He loves to cuddle and sleep on the couch during movies (he is pretty good about not trying to eat ALL the popcorn, but consider yourself warned). He does well riding in the car and enjoys outings. He is pretty nervous when meeting new people, but we think as he gets settled into his new family's routines, he'll get more confident. He will be a wonderful family pet.

-What else can you tell me about your foster?

Count Chocula is a 55-pound male, two-year-old retriever mix. He looks just like a Flat-Coated Retriever mix. He has very soft, long, fluffy black fur with a small white patch on his chest and a fluffy black tail. He is potty trained and sleeps through the night with our female dog for company. We would let him sleep on the bed with us, but our male dog is territorial. His favorite thing is to spend time with his humans. He loves car rides, walks, and playing fetch with his tennis ball outside with his people. He knows how to Sit and Shake, and basically knows roll over- he flops over for belly rubs any chance he gets! He will be a great family pet!
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Now that you know everything there is to know about me, it is time to talk logistics!

-How can someone adopt me?
The first step is to fill out an adoption app for me at https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app

Once this app comes in, it will get sent on to my foster family and they will help me decide if we are a match or not.

-Where are you being fostered?
I am being fostered in Tulsa, OK.

-Would I need to come to pick you up?
Yes, you would need to pick me up. This rescue does not send us on transports. It is less stress on us that way. Plus, you and I can already start bonding on the road trip home! ?

-Can I adopt you even though I don't live i