chefgirl00
07-15-2006, 03:39 PM
Hi all!
I am looking for a new home for my baby, Ben. He's a yellow lab mix. He was born in January 2004, and weighs in around 60-65 pounds. I got him from the local shelter, so I'm not sure what the other half is, although I would guess either Golden Retriever, or some blend of that. I recently got married, and my Navy husband and I are being reassigned to Italy next March. We could take him, but we were warned about a local parasite (similar to heartworm) that is prevalent in the area, and there's no preventative or treatment for it. Apparently, once they get it (by mosquitoes), they have about 6 months, and it's very painful and debilitating. I just can't potentially put him through that. Plus, we won't be able to get a house while there, and he needs a yard to run in.
Details about Ben:
He's very protective, and absolutely adores kids (although he's still not sure how to be gentle with them, so I usually keep him on a leash around anyone timid or under 3, so he's not overly friendly and doesn't accidentally knock them down). He's a very sweet dog, and like most labs, just wants attention and loving. He's a big kisser, and especially loves toes. If left alone for long periods of time, he will start to get nosey, and has a thing for trash cans, so you are probably better off leaving him in a kennel if you're gone for a while. He usually is in his kennel around 3-4 horus a day now, and he's very comfortable with it, going in when told, etc. It's his safe place, so he is good with that. He sleeps in my room at night. He will get up on the bed if invited, but prefers to sleep on the floor, and usually gets up as soon as I start to doze off.
He's a big treat dog, and is definitely a food lover, though he's really good about people being around him when he eats - I've made it a point to pet him while he eats and take food away, etc. so he's not defensive with it. He loves to run, and he's very wirey. He's thin, but very strong. He is very friendly with everyone, and knows no strangers. However, he is very protective, and will definitely defend himself or his owners (especially kids). He's defended me on more than one occasion, and since I lived alone, he's been a wonderful companion.
He's up to date on all shots, vet visits, etc. He is due next month for his annual visit, so I'll be scheduling that here soon. I have all of his records if needed. He's never really been given table food, except for a kernel of popcorn here and there. He actually loves catching it, and I used to use it to train him. He will give you the puppy dog look if you have food, but he's very good about staying away if you tell him. He's just good with guilt-trips
Requirements for new Mommy/Daddy:
MUST have a yard, lots of land would be great - fenced in (He learns fast, and an invisible fence would be great for him. I have him trained on the one at my parents' house, and he doesn't even have to wear the collar when we visit anymore)
Have a regular vet, or have contacted one (I can give you the name of our current vet if you want to use her)
Other pets are fine (he even gets along with cats, as long as they're ok with him), although he's never been around very small things other than small dogs, so I'm not sure there
I would like to meet you and let you spend some time with Ben at a park or something a few times first, just so I can feel at ease, and he can get used to you too. Also, if you have kids, please bring them as well, so we can get a feel with how he takes to them and they to him.
I will be in town until late December, so I am okay with waiting a while. We are starting early to make sure that we find him a good, safe, and healthy home. I am not asking for any money, just assurance that he will be loved and taken care of. I also have lots of toys, food, shampoo, etc. I also have a kennel for him, but my parents let me "borrow" it, so I need to make sure they don't want it back. Also, I would like to keep in touch while I am still here in the States, just in case you have questions, problems, etc. I have pictures of him as a puppy, and more recently. Just email me at chefgirl00@gmail.com if you'd like to see them, or have a question.
Thanks everybody!!!
I am looking for a new home for my baby, Ben. He's a yellow lab mix. He was born in January 2004, and weighs in around 60-65 pounds. I got him from the local shelter, so I'm not sure what the other half is, although I would guess either Golden Retriever, or some blend of that. I recently got married, and my Navy husband and I are being reassigned to Italy next March. We could take him, but we were warned about a local parasite (similar to heartworm) that is prevalent in the area, and there's no preventative or treatment for it. Apparently, once they get it (by mosquitoes), they have about 6 months, and it's very painful and debilitating. I just can't potentially put him through that. Plus, we won't be able to get a house while there, and he needs a yard to run in.
Details about Ben:
He's very protective, and absolutely adores kids (although he's still not sure how to be gentle with them, so I usually keep him on a leash around anyone timid or under 3, so he's not overly friendly and doesn't accidentally knock them down). He's a very sweet dog, and like most labs, just wants attention and loving. He's a big kisser, and especially loves toes. If left alone for long periods of time, he will start to get nosey, and has a thing for trash cans, so you are probably better off leaving him in a kennel if you're gone for a while. He usually is in his kennel around 3-4 horus a day now, and he's very comfortable with it, going in when told, etc. It's his safe place, so he is good with that. He sleeps in my room at night. He will get up on the bed if invited, but prefers to sleep on the floor, and usually gets up as soon as I start to doze off.
He's a big treat dog, and is definitely a food lover, though he's really good about people being around him when he eats - I've made it a point to pet him while he eats and take food away, etc. so he's not defensive with it. He loves to run, and he's very wirey. He's thin, but very strong. He is very friendly with everyone, and knows no strangers. However, he is very protective, and will definitely defend himself or his owners (especially kids). He's defended me on more than one occasion, and since I lived alone, he's been a wonderful companion.
He's up to date on all shots, vet visits, etc. He is due next month for his annual visit, so I'll be scheduling that here soon. I have all of his records if needed. He's never really been given table food, except for a kernel of popcorn here and there. He actually loves catching it, and I used to use it to train him. He will give you the puppy dog look if you have food, but he's very good about staying away if you tell him. He's just good with guilt-trips
Requirements for new Mommy/Daddy:
MUST have a yard, lots of land would be great - fenced in (He learns fast, and an invisible fence would be great for him. I have him trained on the one at my parents' house, and he doesn't even have to wear the collar when we visit anymore)
Have a regular vet, or have contacted one (I can give you the name of our current vet if you want to use her)
Other pets are fine (he even gets along with cats, as long as they're ok with him), although he's never been around very small things other than small dogs, so I'm not sure there
I would like to meet you and let you spend some time with Ben at a park or something a few times first, just so I can feel at ease, and he can get used to you too. Also, if you have kids, please bring them as well, so we can get a feel with how he takes to them and they to him.
I will be in town until late December, so I am okay with waiting a while. We are starting early to make sure that we find him a good, safe, and healthy home. I am not asking for any money, just assurance that he will be loved and taken care of. I also have lots of toys, food, shampoo, etc. I also have a kennel for him, but my parents let me "borrow" it, so I need to make sure they don't want it back. Also, I would like to keep in touch while I am still here in the States, just in case you have questions, problems, etc. I have pictures of him as a puppy, and more recently. Just email me at chefgirl00@gmail.com if you'd like to see them, or have a question.
Thanks everybody!!!