George German Shepherd Dog & Bull Terrier Mix Richmond, BC

**AVAILABLE FOR FOSTER**

George is a handsome dog who found himself at RAPS this winter when his family no longer wished to care for him. George has a bit of a rough past, as his medical needs were unattended for quite some time. Despite his background, George is the definition of a gentle giant! He is so sweet and good-natured and he lives to please. George loves attention from all people whether that includes cuddles and pampering, playing fetch (slowly of course!), or walking and exploring. He has more of a timid personality and so George does require gentle handling, as he can become scared easily. He is very sensitive and is quick to think he has done something wrong, so he will need a family who can provide him extra reassurance and confidence when he needs it. George is housetrained, excellent with calm children, and has no reactivity to other dogs.

Although George is pretty much the perfect canine citizen, he does have some medical concerns that qualify him for a permanent foster home. George has a grade 3 heart murmur that requires medication twice daily (he takes this no problem in a pill pocket). George’s heart condition does not qualify him as a candidate to place under anesthesia safely, so he cannot be neutered. Because of this, George’s family will need to keep him separate from other dogs and not allow him to be off leash or in any dog parks. George does not display any undesirable behaviour because he is intact, but regardless we want to ensure the safety of him and other dogs. George also has radial nerve damage to one of his front legs from being hit by a vehicle and left untreated, which causes George to walk slowly and with a limp. He will need light and gentle exercise (he still LOVES to get out) and patience as he navigates his environment. Despite all of this, our vet has determined that George is not in any pain and is comfortable and happy! We are not sure how much time George has left with us, due to his heart, but we do know that he has the biggest heart of any dog we have ever met!

We are looking for a retirement/foster home who is understanding of George’s situation and is comfortable with a special needs dog who will require ongoing palliative care. His new family will need to be available to bring him to regular veterinary appointments and follow all instructions from the RAPS team!