Billy

Description

Assisted private rehoming

Microchip: 953 010 002 758 382

Billy is a handsome 7-year-old boy carrying 37kg of love, excitement and enthusiasm with a heart full of devotion and the silkiest smooth velvety coat. A very affectionate and gentle boy.

Billy simply adores being with his person and as a devoted shadow has questionable spatial awareness. He will follow you from room to room as if on duty during the day and cuddle on your lap or at your feet on his bed while you binge your favourite shows.

He adores his toy box and loves to dig down to get the exact one that fits the moment, so a toy basket is a must. Particularly filled with balls of any type, his favourite are his soccer balls. Billy loves his balls but is on zero ball throwing/acceleration activity due to his hips, but he enjoys mouthing his soccer ball.  He also enjoys a game of tug.

He loves his daily walks and is great on a lead with a front attached harness. He knows how to stop and wait at the kerb and takes in all the sniffs. Being fit and healthy he can go for 30-60 minute walks, but again low intensity due to his hips. However, he is strong and occasionally get a little excited to see another dog or greet human friends, so will need someone who is strong for those moments. He has no interest in chasing birds.

He is really good with other dogs, but his preference is people or more to the point his person. Cats we are a little unsure about, but he can get pretty overexcited to get to them which could also stress the cat out. A cat free house is better suited.

He is a bit of a water doggy and can dig up the water buckets when he gets excited so it may be better to keep the bowls outside. He loves playing in the sprinkler and enjoys a romp on the beach as well.

He eats his dinner nicely, is very gentle to hand feed and shows no signs of food guarding.

He is a good sleeper and doesn’t snore, he is happy to sleep in on a lazy weekend.

He isn’t destructive unless it’s a soccer ball. He loves them – did I mention that?

His biggest loves are: YOU, short or long walks, the beach, water play, tug of war, being brushed, being cuddled and more cuddles.

 

Billy’s Medical concerns

1.        Billy is having some trouble adjusting to his new lifestyle. You see he was with his previous owner from a young pup to 7 years old and she only had very good things to say about him. Things like calm and quiet. But since going through RSPCA and a couple of foster homes in the last month he is struggling a little to adjust. His nervous system is on overload. His enthusiasm for life has turned into mild anxiety as he navigates his new world. He is unsure of all the new changes. He is currently seeing a behavioural specialist just to nip it in the bud to prevent escalation. His new owner will need to work with the behaviouralist/local vet to manage and/or wean him off his current medication. We are seeing good changes with his new medication regime heading back to the calm boy we believe he is. Note: he was never on medication with previous owner, only since this recent change.

2.        As Billy is entering his golden ages, he has some arthritis in both hips (which may be exacerbating his anxiety), so his ball play is restricted but he is still able to go for 30-60 minute walks but better as low intensity slow sniff walks than power walking. Nothing has not yet been formally diagnosed but may be worth some imaging at a later time. For now we are treating his pain. Somone who is observant to his needs would be great. He is on medication to manage his soreness and again will need to work with the vet to determine if the medications need to be adjusted.

These medical concerns mean his new family need to be committed to following up on his medication and be observant to his behaviours, with regular vet visit especially while he gets stabilised on his meds.

Billy’s needs

Foremost he needs love, patience, your presence, consistency and stability.

Billy really needs a home where at least at first someone can be home more often as he adjusts. He won’t be perfect in the first 24 hours or even in the first few days, but he will achieve it in time. Little steps with being away from you over time, with love and patience he will become a loyal, loving, calm and devoted companion. His heart really is huge!

Over time he will build up to being able to be home alone more, but ideally even in the longer term he would prefer a home when he is only left for shorter periods of time.

He will take about 3-4 weeks to settle in, remembering that the rescue equation is – 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months as a guideline for an adjustment period.

He needs consistent gentle support to help set and maintain boundaries.

He needs to be an inside dog. He will not be happy if he is expected to be outside without you. He wants to be included in all the family activities – a true furry family member.

He is good with other dogs but likely would prefer a home as an only dog, as I’m sure he would prefer all the attention (but he will share).

Billy’s areas for improvement – it’ s about boundaries and structure

Billy’s enthusiasm for life means he may jump up to say hello, it’s not aggression purely excitement and enthusiasm – he learning though and is responding quickly to consistent commands. Older children would be a better fit due to his size and strength and he hasn’t spent much time around younger children.

His sniffer is on cue and if food is left on the counter, he may jump his paws up just to have a closer sniff or find a way to help himself – easily fixed by putting food away – or teaching a “hop-off” command.

Travels well in the car and used to wearing his seat belt – he does get a bit anxious if left while you pop into the shops but again this will improve with time and him feeling safe that he is not being abandoned again.

He likes jumping up onto the furniture to be close – but understands if you need to get him down and would respond well again to a “hop-off” command.

He can bark if he wants attention or if he is left for too long but, in his case, it’s not separation anxiety, just getting used to his new home and surroundings and feeling safe. He will self-settle in time if no one answers his bark. And once he is used to his surroundings he will settle. His previous owner said he hardly ever barked.

He truly is a special boy with so much love.

So, if you’re looking for a loyal companion, a walking buddy, a kitchen supervisor, a dog park date who will adore you endlessly, Billy could be your handsome velvety man.

Billy has been desexed, vaccinated and microchipped and is up to date with his worming and flea prevention. His teeth are in excellent condition.

He will have you at Hello/Woof..

If you are interested in Billy and already approved to adopt with Lab Rescue, please email your matching team with your expression of interest.

If not yet approved, please complete an application to adopt on this website and make sure you mention Billy in your application.