About Tikaani

On most days and moments, Tikaani is a low-key, goofy yet handsome 65-pound senior (11ish years old) Alaskan Husky Rescue with beautiful black and white markings. He sleeps a lot, likes to find the sunny spot, still enjoys long walks and hikes in the woods, is great at catching snacks and snowballs mid-air, knows a few tricks (roll-over is a favorite), is completely house-trained, puts up a good game of tug of war and catch, and is always down for a belly rub and snuggles. When I rescued him 6 years ago, I was told that Tikaani had food aggression and resource guarding issues. And we have worked very hard with the support of various trainers to create routines and practices that keep him and our family safe. While we have made incredible progress and found ways to manage Tikaani's issues, they have never gone away. And I've come to the difficult realization that it is no longer safe to keep Tikaani in our home. He has bitten me repeatedly over food-related issues resulting in emergency room and Dr.'s visits. Tikaani's issues do not seem to be intensifying as he ages but they are not going away. With a 4-year-old in my house, I have to face the hard reality that having Tikaani with us isn't safe. I want to do what is best for my dog and my family. And I am trying to figure out what the most humane thing is for Tikaani. In an ideal world, I would find him another home without kids, dogs, or cats with someone experienced in dogs with behavioral issues such as food aggression, resource guarding, and reactivity. I would find someone who would love Tikaani through his senior years but also understand how to be with him so as to keep him and herself and the people in her life safe. Tikaani will be the happiest, most relaxed, and least destructive in a house where someone is home periodically throughout the day or works at home so he can get a pet and a snuggle but he is able to be left alone for 4-6 hours at a time. At this point, Tikaani does not have major health issues - though as an older dog he does have arthritis in his hips. Keeping his weight down, using joint supplements, and when necessary pain medication has helped him with the aches and pains of his aging joints. I will not surrender Tikaani to a shelter and will keep him with us as I try to find him another home. I am willing to pay for at least a few training sessions for anyone who is interested so that they can set up routines that will be safe with Tikaani. And Tikaani will be up to date on all of his shots and medicines (he has his annual vet check up this week). If Tikaani's new home is in the Bay Area and his new family is open to it, I would like to be able to visit him and take him for walks.

Alameda County
Oakland, California