About Lionel

All aboard the Lionel express for a round trip ride! You'll arrive in Ashburnham, MA where a sweet and silly boy has his bags packed to take the return trip home with a new family! Lionel is a male Boxer / Shepherd mix who is 5 years old, weighs 65 pounds. He's a soulful dog who loves walking, jogging, and playing with sticks. He's a good match for an active couple or a family with kids 12+ and a home with a secure fenced yard or one in a rural area. Lionel has a nice demeanor that's both sugary and stoic, which is not surprising based on his breeds. He's the type of dog who gets deeply connected to his humans and needs someone who will understand his past and accept him for who he is. Lionel is crazy about belly rubs and sleeping near his people. He loves toys, especially balls of all kinds. He loves to jog but walking works for him, too. He's at home being around rivers, lakes, and the woods where he enjoys finding sticks. Though he hails from Florida, he likes the snow. He is fairly active with his walks and runs, but he also loves to lounge, cuddle, and at times be a goofball. Last year, Lionel was adopted by a wonderful family. He fell in love with them and gave himself the job of Family Security Officer (FSO) and especially watches over his human siblings. When strangers come into the home, this FSO needs time to adjust and may start off by barking or growling, but he's fine meeting people in any other environment. When away from his home turf and 'off duty' from his job, Lionel walks well on a leash with a gentle leader, is friendly, and does fine at the vet. Lionel's behavior challenges are twofold - he's wary of other dogs and dislikes people on his property. Lionel's current owners will cover the cost of 2-3 training sessions with the trainer he is familiar with. This is an awesome opportunity for his adopter. His many high points FAR outweigh his issues. Because of his protective nature, Lionel's new person will ensure no one outside his usual circle enters the yard when he is off leash. In his current neighborhood, people have entered the yard unannounced and this was a problem for Lionel. In one instance, he was startled by someone and reacted with a quick bite causing one small puncture wound but immediately let go. Although Lionel is great with his own human kids, the family feels that Lionel is best with a home made up of adults without lots of children coming and going. Lionel is listed as a one-and-only fur kid. He currently lives with a dog but can be picky about other canines. He needs a secure fenced yard or a rural area. Lionel is UTD on shots, neutered, house-trained, and also crate-trained (however he's trustworthy and prefers to be free when left alone). He currently uses the crate when visitors come, during meals, and occasionally for a break from the kids so he can chew a bone in peace. Get your application in soon! https://tiny.cc/ARK-Application #ARKforLionel #JustSaveThem

Essex County
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930