Reilly American Staffordshire Terrier & Shepherd Mix Sparta, WI

Meet Reilly. This very special boy is approximately 2 years old and is looking for the perfect place to call home.

Reilly has had quite a life up until now. You know those animals that can sometimes be labeled as "underdogs"? Well, this boy is one of them.

At the young age of 4 weeks old, Reilly was found on the side of the road by himself with a broken leg. He was taken in by the family who found him, and although they cared for him well, he wasn't exposed to a lot growing up. Because of that, along with the fact that he was separated from his litter way too early, Reilly is an under-socialized boy. He missed out on a lot of the social skills that dogs can learn at a young age. This is very important to take into consideration, and if you haven't worked with a dog like this before, we highly recommend doing research on it and working with a trainer/behaviorist, that way you can give Reilly the best possible life he could ask for. After he left that family, Reilly went to a shelter in another part of the state, and has been waiting since March for a family, but he hasn't found a family yet. Our goal was to get him in front of a new audience in hopes that we can find him the perfect person.

He is the type of boy that may shut down in new situations when he's overwhelmed. But you know what? That's ok...give him time, and before you know it, he's your best friend. With the humans he knows and recognizes, this dude has a heart of pure gold. He loves affection, play time, and is even a goofball! You just might not see that right away. But trust us, sometimes when you take in a dog that requires a little more patience and understanding, they end up holding the biggest spot in your heart that you could imagine. You realize just how much love they have to give, and that you officially earned it. It's a reward like no other.

Finding a good balance of socializing Reilly without overwhelming his senses is something to pay attention to. You want to help him learn that there are good things in the world without throwing too much at him at once. Baby steps are important, and even the smallest victories can be celebrated!

Because of this boy's past, unfortunately he would prefer to be the only pet in his home. He would also most likely do best with only adults, unless the children in the home are older, respectful and very aware of dogs' boundaries and training needs.

Reilly is a great walking and play buddy. He's incredibly loyal! He will need secure containment outside (fenced yard, or leash attended by a human... not a tie out). This is because he can spook easily, and if he's not secured he may take off to get away from the scary thing.

This sweet young man is still very active, and you might be surprised how much it can help his confidence to get regular exercise! It's good for their mind and their body.

We understand that this is a lot to take in, but just try to imagine this from Reilly's point of view. It may be the best thing you've ever experienced.

Reilly's adoption fee is $150.00. He is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. We can schedule a time for you to meet Reilly after an adoption application has been approved:

https://www.co.monroe.wi.us/departments/dog-control/online-animal-adoption-application