Cameron

UPDATE 5/22/21 A recent Facebook exchange among some of Cam's best volunteer friends: PennyH: He is such an affectionate dog- really loves to be touched. I love the squinty eyed, head back, dreamy look he gets when you hit the right spot! [See pic] MichelleT I love it when he makes the cooing sound when like Penny said you hit the right spot! JaimeC He’s the biggest love. *** Estimated birth date: August 2015 Weight: around 75 pounds In search of a loving, dog-savvy home with with a fenced yard. Must have the patience and understanding to take it slow and earn Cam's trust over multiple visits. *** UPDATE 9/2019. One of the hardest parts of rescue is seeing a dog like Cam waiting month after month for his forever home. At the same time, it's amazing (in a dog-geek kind of way) to see him becoming more and more "adoptable" while he waits! We are so proud of our "Cam crew" ... a handful of volunteers who have put in all kinds of extra time to get Cam out of the shelter--to training class, on hikes, for swims, and even overnights (and over-weeks!) so that he can decompress in the quiet comforts of a home setting. Cam is awesome in group obedience class ... quiet and obedient with commands, close passes and approaches. He has made such progress and can easily be walked in a heel, put in a sit/stay or down/stay, and even participate in small play groups with other pups. He is far better at calming himself and accepting new people and dogs than when he first arrived at STAF. He is still best when he can have slower intros with new people and dogs, but is perfectly manageable when paired with an assertive, savvy handler. He especially likes the female pups, and he likes them to be assertive, too! On a recent outing, he saw horses up close and he was curious but not inappropriately so. He gave a small whine when passing them which usually indicates he was open to meeting that freakishly large dog ;OP A few of Cam's favorite things: chest and ear rubs, car rides, hikes, SWIMMING, and cheeseburgers, and will wait patiently (read: sit calmly and drool all over you) while you prepare his treat. We have been amazed by Cam's desire for affection and his eager obedience. He has the most adorable way of putting his paw on you and leaning in. Quite the love bug and so fun and heartening to see him gain confidence and build bonds. Day by day, Cam is overcoming the damage done by years of relative isolation. And to see this kind of improvement *in a shelter setting* (where dogs typically deteriorate long term) makes us crazy-excited to think about what's to come when he is finally, FINALLY united with his forever family. If you're reading this, please come SOON! (Cam says, "don't forget the cheeseburger!") * * * * * Moo-Woof! Of course we know it’s not possible, but dang, doesn’t sweet Cameron (Cam to his buddies) almost look to be a cross between a dairy cow and a Great Dane? That might make him a "Dairydane":). Well, we actually think this gorgeous guy is a mix of Border Collie and Great Dane. We are so, so thankful to have Cam. He came to STAF from a man whose new fiancee and son were both afraid of dogs. Let’s just say once they came in the picture Cam began spending more and more time being crated or out in the garage by himself. We also have some great and very positive feedback from someone who worked with Cam before he came to STAF who is also very relieved that Cam is at STAF. Cam has adjusted well coming to STAF and check out his beautiful beaming smile in the photo that shows him at his recent graduation from training:) Cam does have some fears while on leash (were never certain how our dogs were treated before coming to the shelter:() so we have found it best to have Cam meet new people outside of STAF and we will would love Cam's next home to take him to a refresher training course while getting to know him. Cam is absolutely adorable and although he can be somewhat timid when first meeting folks and it might take some time for him to become the big goofy boy that lies just below the surface. He's the kind of dog that will love you to the moon and back. Our goal is to be sure that Cam finally finds a home that can reciprocate. Some great feedback on Cameron after a walk with a volunteer: "Cameron is a such a special dog. He still needs to work on his pulling on leash and sadly he has lost some confidence since coming to STAF. But with positive base training, a little patience and a lot of love this boy will thank you forever. Due to his fears and his size he will do best in a home without young children. This boy loves to be outside of the shelter where he can roll in the grass and chew on some sticks.! ” Cam is still trying to figure out where he is and why he is here. He has made many friends with the STAF volunteers and he makes sure to let them know how much he loves them when he lets out his high-pitched-squeaky-bark as soon as they are in his sight:). Once you're Cam's friend you will be best friends for life. **** Please see our homepage for visiting hours and adoption details. * All of our animals are spayed/neutered and current on shots. Visit our website www.staf.org to download our application. We do not do same-day adoptions; we ask that you return for a follow-up visit before taking an animal home. You must be 21 years or older to adopt a dog from STAF We require a physical fence for homes with children under the age of 11. We also may require a physical fence for specific dogs on a case-by-case basis, depending on each dog's behavior and exercise needs. Invisible fences - Due in part to increasing coyote activity/incidents in the area and the difficulty of predicting how a dog will respond to invisible fence training, we cannot adopt to homes with invisible fences. We do request vet and personal references. At this time, we are only able to consider applicants within 30 miles of Cincinnati.