About Charlie

�'ۢ 6 years old �'ۢ Extra Large - initial weight was 143 lbs, but he has been dieting �'ۢ Dog friendly with proper intro �'ۢ Charlie is very large and needs some manners work, so no kids under high school age. He's a bit clumsy. He knocks into you, he sometimes jumps up. He steps on you, he climbs on you. He is BIG. He is HEAVY. �'ۢ Charlie has some arthritis and will need supportive medication for the rest of his life. He gets around well now and we think he will be even better once he loses a little weight, but he will always need good vet care and arthritis medication. �'ۢ Charlie hates being crated and will get very stressed in that environment. The good news is that he is totally housebroken and is not destructive at all. He can roam free in a home with no concerns. �'ۢ Charlie has low to moderate energy. He loves his short walks but is not a runner and doesn't need heavy exercise. �'ۢ Charlie needs some space and would likely not do well in an apartment. What you will love about Charlie: �'ۢ He is a dog that will bond deep with his people. He wants to be right by your side. He will follow you like a shadow. He would love nothing more than to help you in the garden or watch the game or a movie with you. �'ۢ He gives the best face washing kisses ever! �'ۢ When Charlie is comfortable, he walks pretty well on his leash and harness. �'ۢ Once he bonds with you, which does not take long, he is never going to run away. He would not understand that concept. �'ۢ He is incredibly sweet. �'ۢ He knows commands and listens well unless you want him to stay off the couch. Charlie had a great life. He was so well loved and a little too well fed! He lived with his dad, Mr. W, since he was a little puppy. Mr. W took excellent care of Charlie. He made sure he was neutered, vaccinated, licensed, on heartworm prevention and when he started getting up and down slower, he made sure Charlie had arthritis medication too. He taught Charlie to sit, to shake paw and to come when called. People who knew them said Charlie did anything Mr. W asked. Mr. W was home a lot, and when he went out, we are told he sometimes brought Charlie along with him. Charlie and Mr. W had a beautiful 6 years together. And then, sadly, Mr. W had an accident in his home and passed away. Since it was just the two of them living there, it took a couple of days for this tragic event to be discovered. As you can imagine, Charlie was traumatized by this experience. He lost his person, his world, his everything. And then, he found himself at the shelter, a terrifying experience on top of all his pain and loss. Charlie was not doing well in the shelter. The dogs who have had the most love in life tend to have the most stress in a kennel environment. When Charlie is stressed, he will pant, drool, and pull very hard on the leash. Drag you down the street hard. He will bark a lot and he gets a little jumpy. When he gets really stressed, his eyes get bloodshot. None of this was going to get him adopted, so he went to a temporary foster home. Charlie's ideal family: �'ۢ Understands he will need a quiet, slow introduction into his new life. No going out right away, no visitors right away. He will need at least a week to get comfortable again, and at least 3 to really settle in. He will likely be panting and drooling and a little barky and jumpy at times in those first days. Frequent short little walks do wonders for that. �'ۢ Has experience and comfort with extra large dogs. �'ۢ Is comfortable with a gigantic dog on the living room couch. Mr. W raised Charlie to love this kind of comfort, and he is a stubborn dog on this subject. Training him out of this would be difficult. If the gigantic dog on your couch is a no-go, this is not the dog for you. �'ۢ Is willing and eager to work with a veterinarian to help Charlie get down to his ideal weight and to manage his arthritis. �'ۢ Has a quieter home where his people are home a lot, but not lots of visitors. �'ۢ Is looking to help expand Charlie's comfort zone. We think Charlie was in his prior home almost all the time. He gets a little stressed going out in the world. We have been taking him on short rides to the drive-through, and to the park, and to the pet store. All of this seems new to Charlie and though he is panting and a bit whiny, he is doing well, so this can definitely be expanded upon. �'ۢ Has no other pets because Charlie has not lived with other pets in the past. However, Charlie does seem dog friendly so a family with one other friendly dog could work too. Cats are an unknown. �'ۢ Has a home where Charlie can be with his people almost all the time. He is not a dog that will want to be kept separate from the family. �'ۢ Has a home where Charlie can roam free even when home alone. Charlie does not do well in a crate or kennel, but he does very well free roaming. He has not been destructive at all and is complet

Genesee County
Flint, Michigan 48504