RJ-adopted!

Update 4/7/09: Say hello to RJ! He's an exceptionally handsome, one and a half year old mastiff mix with lots of personality to match his size. RJ has been having a great time in his foster home, where there are three other big dogs and lots of treat-filled kong toys to chew, but he'd really love to find a family to call his own. More than anything, this big, sensitive guy needs a firm but kind human leader.

RJ knows all the basic obedience commands, like sit, come, down, and no. He's house trained and crate trained, and he's one of those dogs who views his crate as his den. He'll sometimes wander in there for a nap on his own. He can heel like a gentleman on his leash.

Despite possessing all these wonderful qualities, RJ's foster mom thinks this guy should go to a home where the people are committed to continuing his training. We don't have a lot of information on RJ's puppy hood, but he has exhibited signs of anxiety in the past and we think someone did something not so nice to him at one point. He can still get a little nervous meeting strangers. If you yell at him, he will cower and try to hide. RJ has overcome many of his issues though, and he enjoys being around his foster family, and cuddling on the sofa.

For the same reason, we would prefer not to place RJ in a home with very small children, or children who have never interacted with dogs. He may be the size of a tiny horse, but he probably wouldn't take kindly to being ridden (or teased). He does however, LOVE kids who understand how to behave around dogs, like his foster mom's 7 and 8 year old niece and nephew. He's extremely gentle with them. He is not, however, a fan of cats. And cats don't much care for him, either.

RJ won't fit into just any household. He needs to meet a dog savvy person or family who will take an interest in his ongoing training and socialization. He may take a little work, but he'll reward the right family with love, loyalty, a big smile, a wagging tail, and, of course, his special innate charm and good looks!

All known information is listed here. If it is not listed here, then we do not know if this animal is good with cats or kids. Before sending an inquiry, please read our "How To Adopt Page & FAQ" pages of our website. http:www.almosthomerescue.net."

Or Click HEREto visit our site.

This dog is available unless it is marked as Pending, meaning "pending adoption".

If this Dog is marked Urgent, it is because the Arkansas shelter where he/she resides is overfull. Please do not ask local shelters to take this dog in, there are many reasons why they cannot. Please also do not send us letters about why we euthanize, AHR does not euthanize, but the shelters we work with do. We are a rescue and we pull as many dogs as we have foster homes and funds for. We, like the shelter, do not have unlimited resources. Please, please: foster, adopt or sponsor a dog to help save their lives.

FOR PUPPIES: HOMES CONSIDERING PUPPIES MUST BE PREPARED FOR:

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES FOR POTTY TRAINING-THEY CAN ONLY "HOLD" IT FOR ONE HOUR PER MONTH OF AGE.

CRATE TRAINING FOR THE NEXT 10 MONTHS TO KEEP THEM FROM CHEWING EVERYTHING IN SIGHT.

SUPERVISION WITH CHILDREN, AND OBEDIENCE TRAINING.

SOCIALIZATION-A GOOD DOG MUST BE EXPOSED TO ALOT OF STIMULUS AS A PUPPY SO THAT NEW PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENTS DO NOT INTIMIDATE THEM AS ADULTS. THE MORE POSITIVE EXPERIENCES -IN AND OUT OF THE HOME- AS A PUPPY, THE BETTER.

HOMES THAT WANT TO HAVE GOOD DOGS, MUST BE PREPARED TO PUT THE TIME AND EFFORT INTO TRAINING A PUPPY. IT IS ALOT OF WORK!!! THEIR BEHAVIOR AND STAGES ARE EQUIVILENT TO A 2 OR 3 YEAR OLD CHILD. IT TAKES A FULL YEAR TO HAVE A CALMER, WELL ADJUSTED DOG! PLEASE DO NOT CONSIDER ADOPTING IF YOU HAVE NOT THOROUGHLY THOUGHT THROUGH THE PROS AND CONS OF A PUPPY...SO MANY PEOPLE END UP RETURNING THEM IN 3-5 MONTHS BECAUSE IT IS CHEWING, JUMPING AND HYPER. THIS IS NORMAL PUPPY BEHAVIOR.

PATIENCE, CHEWIES, SOCIALIZATION, SUPERVISION AND OBEDIENCE TRAINING IS A MUST!!

. We pay a Transportation Service from Arkansas to bring the dogs to New England. The adoption fee is $250.00 for altered dogs. $350. for unaltered puppies, with $100 refundable after spay/neuter. All Senior dogs 6 years or older have a reduced adoption fee of $200. This includes vaccinations, spay/neuter and transport from Arkansas to Maine on a USDA approved transport with a Health Certificate. All dogs are quarantined 14 days prior to leaving Arkansas. All dogs will be tested for Heartworm prior to adoption. Almost Home Rescue will process your adoption. Applications can be found at www.almosthomerescue.net and can be e-mailed attention of Jill to wynne_ahr@yahoo for this particular dog. Click HEREto visit our site.