ADOPTION PENDING

KELSO is a courtesy posting for the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley and is not a Safe at Last dog.  So, if you are intersted, please be sure to direct your inquiries to Kelso's foster mom Jill at swiffer109@yahoo.com.  Foster mom Jill is the only person who can answer your questions and/or consider you for adoption.  So, please email her at swiffer109@yahoo.com.  Many thanks for your interest.  Kelso is a wonderful dog, so deserving of a great forever home.  If you can meet his needs (see below), foster mom Jill would love to hear from you.
_______________________________________________________________________

Kelso is a 2-3 year old male,  Amstaff/Boxer/Hound/Pit Bull/Mastiff mix?  Long story short, Kelso has not found himself in the best home situation; the most recent, abandoned him on a back road close to the local animal shelter.  It took a week for him to finally trust someone & be brought into rescue.  This sweet boy did NOT deserve that treatment... no one does...

Kelso is now in foster care and doing so well.  He is still working to overcome some slight anxiety -- but that is to be expected after not only being left in an unfamiliar location to fend for himself, but also having been bounced around & subjected to less than ideal living situations prior to that. 

That being said, we can't emphasize enough -- Kelso is such a NICE dog, who has not deserved the hand of cards he has been dealt.  He is VERY good with other dogs & not only enjoys playing with the young female dog he lives with in foster care, but is also respectful and really non-confrontational to the resident large male dog who doesn't quite appreciate Kelso in "his" house. 

Kelso is also being fostered in a home with cats.  He is doing well with that, but would probably do best with a slightly dog savvy cat, as he sometimes thinks he might like to chase the cat just a little; but with a stern "no" he is just fine with the resident cats.  And to that end, he also has been able to coexist with the resident free-range chickens, with the slight verbal reminder he's not allowed to chase them either :)  This big, sweet boy is doing so very well with all the new situations he is facing... and that is a testament to the great dog that he is.

As for kids, we are recommending that he go to a home with kids that are dog savvy and at least 8+ years old.  Kelso is sweet, but he is a big, strong boy.  We also received information that he lived briefly with a 2y/o child & did well.  BUT he is also a bit sensitive to his ears & feet being handled, and he was once in an abusive situation. Therefore, we want to err on the side of caution to place him in a situation with the absolute best chances of success -- where he will be loved and cared for forever.

Right now he can be a bit unsure in new situations but he is truly doing great in his foster home (with other dogs, cat, chickens, & even semi-occassional visitors); and he also did great on his first trip to Agway; he's food motivated for training & demonstrated the ability to put those skills to use in public.  We can see him possibly becoming a bit protective of his new family & home, but with the proper leadership he will be just fine.

As previously stated, he is a bit anxious at the moment, from the emotional stress he has had to endure, but we think with stability in his life this will dissipate.  He has great house manners but also will do best with a daily "outside energy draining" activity; he would be a great walking, running, or "going here and there" partner!  He is currently crated when left alone & actually enjoys being able to go into his crate to lay down even when he doesn't have to.

This sweet boy would love a forever family of his very own -- and he deserves the best... And that is what we want to find for him.  So, if you are smitten with this big beautiful boy AND can provide for his needs -- for life -- foster mom Jill would love to hear from you (swiffer109@yahoo.com).

**if viewing on Petfinder be sure to check out his videos & extra photos at https://safeatlast.rescuegroups.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=16296001**

Also, if you have any additional questions. please contact foster mom Jill (swiffer109@yahoo.com)!  And, please feel free to fill out the Safe at Last adoption application if interested, and caretaker Jill will follow up with you. 

Kelso's adoption fee is $150 - and this includes neuter, rabies vaccine, distemper vaccine, bordetella vaccine, dewormer, flea treatment, heartworm/lyme test, & microchip!