About Doc Jr.

PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS: Doc Jr. is a young male, about a 1 year old, with a medium energy level. Good with other dogs, but prefers them to be well-behaved. Seems unaffected around cats. Recommend a home WITHOUT loud, young, children and a FENCED yard. Will require PATIENT owners who enjoy having a snuggler on or near them. Loves being with people. DOC JR.'S STORY: Doc Jr. is a medium-sized GSP, weighing about 45 pounds. He is a beautiful black and white ticked boy with a very handsome face. Doc Jr. is our Christmas miracle story for the year of 2018. When he joined his ISR foster family, it appeared as though he was scared and wary of everybody and everything. He had to be carried from car to car because he was afraid to move. Loud sounds and roars would startle and frighten him. It was clear to his foster family that Doc Jr.'s previous life was one that left him a bit broken. They knew he would need some TLC if he was to overcome these fears and be able to lead the life he was meant to lead, that of a beloved pet for his forever family one day soon. And this is where our Christmas miracle happens. Doc Jr. was placed with a foster family that understood how to work with a dog like Doc, or more precisely, how to love a dog like Doc Jr. They've been able to provide him with all the love, patience, kindness and TLC he's needed to overcome most of the triggers that caused him such fears when he first arrived at ISR. Doc Jr. has transformed into a loving, snuggling, velcro GSP that is ready to find his perfect forever family. While he still has a few issues with noises, we believe he's ready to transition to a family that recognizes the fact that while he has come a long way, he'll still require patience, love and understanding. Doc's perfect home and family should be one without young, loud children. While Doc is showing huge improvements daily, we feel it best he not be exposed to the hubbub of young children running and playing. Doc is crate trained and accepts staying in his kennel if he must be left alone, and he will generally sleep there at night. He gets along very well with other dogs but prefers they not 'be in his face' or aggressive towards him. You can tell he prefers well-adjusted, happy doggy playmates. Doc's been playing with one of his foster dog siblings exclusively. This dog is also young (3 years), while the other two are older. Doc's foster family also has a cat and he hasn't shown much interest in his feline roommate. Doc Jr. loves nothing better than being with his people. He cuddles and loves sitting next to them with his head on their knee, or on the couch curled up under a blanket. He has become very trusting, even allowing his fosters to dress him up for Christmas. He loves playing and running in the yard. Doc Jr. isn't food motivated, so training reinforcement must come with soft and happy encouragement rather than the easy to give treat, but he's learning quickly. He is house trained and hasn't had any accidents. One quirk that is still a work in progress with Doc Jr., is that he still has some issues with doorways. Doc wants to run in and out of the doorway very quickly. So quickly, his fosters have learned to make sure he has a clear path so they don't accidentally get run over by him. It's quite likely Doc Jr. equates going through the doorway with something very traumatic to him, something that happened in his past life. While we're very saddened to think that something awful has happened to our sweet little Doc Jr., rest assured Doc Jr. is getting better about his exit and entrance maneuvers. His fosters are working with him daily on this behavior and he's learning that plowing into others (human or animal) in the doorway just isn't good manners. While we believe ALL our rescues are miracles, Doc Jr. is a true Christmas miracle for ISR. This little guy has made huge progress and has started exhibiting so many of the GSP traits and qualities that make the breed so lovable and enjoyable. So, on this Christmas day, we're offering Doc Jr. for adoption and are looking for his forever family. When we think about how he came to us and what he has become now, we know it's time to let him go and grow with a family that has an abundance of patience and love to give to him. Doc Jr. will be happiest in a home with one other, well behaved and well-adjusted, dog. He likes to play and has many good years ahead of him. With the right family he'll continue to come out of his shell and learn more about the positives of life and what it has to offer him. His foster family knows he's going to make the right family the BEST companion. They said, 'Doc Jr. is sweet and gentle, and deserves the happiest home!' Interested? Please complete our online adoption application at www.ilshorthairrescue.com. It's the quickest and best way for us to learn of your interest.

Wayne County
Michigan