About Phoenix

[Read About Natural Seizure Care] I have been fostering this little black Lab/Shepard mix(my guess) for over 2.5 years at no fault of his own. I am not very consistent at posting his availability because life always gets busy. Phoenix would love his own home! Backstory/how I became his foster mom: In October of 2022 on my way home I drove past 3 dogs wandering the road on my street. Ended up being a mother dog(Lizzie) with two 6 month old puppies. The mom had a collar with a number on it thankfully. I got in contact we arranged it for me to take all 3 home and I would host their mom to get spayed and updated on her shots. Once all that was taken care of they picked up the now spayed mother and I kept the duo of puppies to rehome them. They needed socialization and I wanted to help- the humans were having a hard time rehoming them on their own. Both siblings are under-socialized. (Gizmo, his brother, got adopted 1/15/25!) Phoenix is super cute, extremely cuddly, very treat motivated, wants nothing more then to absorb himself into your skin and heart once you have his trust. Unfortunately he has a rather bleak out look on life. He has a lot of anxiety but is still super eager to please. If you can keep him feeling safe he tries his absolute best to keep you happy. He has been on many pack hikes with me and other pups where he can maintain a loose leash. He struggles to handle too much stress/loud noises in areas like inside Home Depot or busier type areas. He stress pants, gets extremely worried/fearful, and wishes to just disappear from view. I have skipped going inside for socializing him and just mingle/walk around the parking lot with good food. Phinne has gotten braver with this approach but I do not see him 'thriving' in a home who wishes to have a lot of family/friends gathering. Having good treats of course might change his mind, but it will take many months, he loves food. :) This boy is rather sensitive and on the borderline of fear reactivity and requires a slower meeting at the moment while his confidence continues to grow. I believe he had a small seizure in April 2024, I am happy to explain in person/if asked(it wasn't an average falling over normal one). He hasn't had one or any other health issues since. He is still young and eager to please! For any of his meet and greets going on a walk with Phoenix and I would be the absolute best way to meet him. You would ignore him while we(humans) talk to take off any extra pressure as he gets used to your scents/energy. This method is the best and fastest way for Phoenix to become your friend. (If you reach out to pet/say hi to him on first greetings he will cower and try to avoid you like the plague). I would be treating/rewarding him and making everything as positive as possible as we walk. His body language will let me know when he feels brave enough to engage. I do not see him meshing well with kids. Phoenix loves chin scratches, butt rubs, and melting into your arms once you gain his trust. Phoenix is not going to enjoy a busy lifestyle of potential parents/adults entertaining guests on the regular, or kids running around and screaming, or even multiple people petting him at once. Phoenix also takes a bit to warm up to most males- I do not know if the issue was past abuse in puppyhood or just lack of socializing when he was younger that makes him so fearful. He would enjoy a quieter life that doesn't have as much foot traffic going through. He definitely like hikes in nature, snuggling up on the couch, playing in the hose and pools, or playing with another dog or two with proper introductions. My fulltime job is in-home Dog Boarding and Doggie Daycare and Pack Hikes in nature, therefore, Phoenix has been around dogs of all types since I picked him up when he was about 6 month old. He loves to play but doesn't appreciate intact male dogs. He wants to put as much space between himself and the intact male. Because of this I normally rotate him and any visiting intact males in separate groups instead of putting that extra stress on him. I wish to explain that Phin has never had a fight or started anything the entire 2.5 years I have been hosting him. He just gets very comfortable with intact males via his stiff body language and purposely avoids them. He does play with puppies, neutered males, and females well. (I have many videos of him on my Instagram page you are welcome to view) Instagram: Samroverpups Phoenix DOB: March, 2022. Gender: Male, neutered. Neuter date was 11/13/2024. Age: Almost 3 y/o. Breed: Shepard/lab mix of sorts. Kennel/Crate trained: He sleeps in a kennel/crate all night and some naps during the day with no issues. It is his safe place. Cats: He has met one young dog savvy cat and can mingle. He is very anxious around the cat and doesn't know how to react to him. Vaccines: He has had all the puppy vaccines, the once a year Bordetella shot, and rabies. I have vet records for him.

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Multnomah County
Portland, Oregon

Email

Samantha Jenkins: 9712844162

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