About **TRIP

**Click on the link https://www.patreon.com/AlmostHome to Become a Patron! For only $5 a month you can read wonderful stories about the animals who have come through our program. everything from how we got started to cruelty and rehabilitation cases. This money goes directly to caring for the animals in our program as well as helps save others desperately needing rescue. Thank you in advance - we seriously could not do what we do without your support. **IMPORTANT!! Please read the entire bio before contacting us with questions. Send us an email requesting an application to start the adoption process [email protected] Make sure you add our address to your safe sender list or watch your junk/spam emails. For more photos please visit our Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Almost-Home-New-Mexico/203840136304815 Approximate DOB 5/26/2015 Size - Small about 13 lbs History- Turned into a local shelter with a claim that he was aggressive, untrainable, and he was badly matted. Prior to that he was a stray again badly matted and with behavioral issues. Both times the staff took things slow and gave him some space. He was scheduled for euthanasia as he was deemed unadoptable to the general public through the shelter. A staff member contacted us- she believed he needed another option that there had to be more they could do for him. He came into our program and we have found that he has some issues medically due to possible past abuse that are causing a lot of the problems. He is fearful of being hit, fearful of being restrained, will react and act as though he might bite if he gets scared usually when the people or other dogs are moving to quickly around him, he walks in circles often usually when he wants something but can't figure out how to get it, and he has to be picked up on and off the couch (he can not use a ramp or stairs as he is scared and might have some vision problems). He will be going to our vet for further testing as well to see what he thinks. Temperament- Very playful and sweet but does show a lot of confusion and fear due to people dealing with him so aggressively. Energy Level- Pretty active - loves rough housing now that he has learned we aren't going to hurt him. Dogs/Cats- He would do best in a home with a very mellow, gentle dog that won't jump on him. A dog that he can play with but won't push him past his comfort threshold. He ignores the cats. Housetrained- We automatically take him out every few hours. If we wait he will not give an indication and will have an accident. This little guy is so special. He needs a very special home- a gentle home that can handle and deal with his issues. We will give instructions and show his behavior on how we handle him. He just wants to be loved and happy and be able to trust someone. We don't know if he will ever get over his issues- they might be permanent but we are taking him to our vet soon to see if they think anything can be done to help the issues. But we are pretty sure they are permanent and caused by trauma to the head. He will make a great addition for someone who really wants to help a special kiddo. Please keep in mind he loves to play with feet!!! **His biggest issue is growling and acting like he is going to bite when you move on the couch or if you move too quickly. It is easily remedied by telling him no and to settle down. When moving around quickly it is best to crate him so he doesn't get over stimulated and scared as it causes him some confusion. When picking him up you must go slow and tell him 'up up'- he will usually stand up and lean towards you to be picked up- when putting him down you just tell him be nice or something just talk to him otherwise he turns and will act nutty. So basically he will growl and show aggression but never acts on it when told no. When he gets in trouble he will often times try to hide or he will face away from you and look scared - he will flinch and get really scared when he is like this- so when he is like this we talk to him and will pet him slowly to calm him down. So he has some quirks but when you see him happy and trusting you it makes it all worth it. We will be updating soon with what our vet finds. Update 10/11/2020 - We took Trip to the vet recently to see what he thought. He does feel that Trip was born mentally disabled. He takes longer to process and learn things which probably has a lot to do with why he was abused. People probably got frustrated, took out their frustration on him, and he in turn learned to lash back to prevent being hurt. We have found that with repetition and teaching him to recognize voice commands he does do much better. He has also been to the groomer and they were able to bathe him, cut his nails, and shave a potty path. However, he is terrified of the clippers so will take time, sedation/medication, and several visits before he will be able to be groomed like a normal dog. This clip was only done because he was sedated and shaved.

Valencia County
Peralta, New Mexico 87042