I've had this dog all his life, but when my mom kicked me out, I had to leave him behind. When I returned for the rest of my stuff, I discovered he had been completely neglected. His cage basically had mud in it it was so filthy, which led to skin issues, water was not kept available to him, his toe nails had grown to where they were about to cut into his pad, his ear was so badly infected for an unknown amount of time, but long enough that the entire ear flap was raw and bloody from the pus oozing out (and now that it is healed, the inside of his ear flap is discolored), and he was in so much pain from not being given his arthritis medicine (still had the same amount in the bottle from when I was last there 4 months ago) that he couldn't stand by himself. I work at a vet clinic, and my fellow techs talked me into getting him from her and keeping her there since I couldn't bring him to the place I am currently at while I finish my undergraduate before going to vet school. I have realized that I am probably not going to find a place to rent at vet school that will allow a 70 pound dog, so instead of waiting another year to find him a home when I leave, I want to find him one now so he can run and play and get the attention he deserves.
He is a 70 pounder, and currently not neutered. Once I started working, we discovered he had heartworms, and after those were treated, I decided it wasn't worth the risk then and just haven't had him neutered since. However, I can have it done if that is the breaking factor to getting him a home.
He will need to stay on arthritis medicine. He will run and play like a puppy while he is on it, but off it, he can barely stand and walk. A bottle is about 80 where I work and lasts him four months. He also needs to be kept somewhat inside, specifically when it is wet out. He can go outside and stay out for hours to run and play, and if he doesn't rehouse train well in a new home, I have a large cage he is fond of and spent his time when I still lived with my mom in that I can provide for while he is still alive. I just ask that it be returned once his time has come.
He is very gentle and good with kids. My cousin, as soon as he was old enough, loved giving him cookies, and he was always gentle as could be with him. He is good with female dogs of all sizes, but not males, most likely because he isn't neutered. Don't know if neutering him at this age would change that. He is also good with cats who are good with dogs (ones that don't hiss and claw at him. He gets a little freaked out and starts barking then). He is also fairly good about not barking unless he needs to use the bathroom or something is outside, and even then he does not always bark.
He is allergic to dog food dye. What this means is he can't have the cheaper stuff like alpo, kibbles and bits, etc. However, there are cheaper foods without dyes that aren't advertised. Pet sense sells a couple varieties of dye free 40 pound bags of food for $15-$16.
In addition to the cage if needed, I will also give whatever remaining food, treats, and heartguard I have left (as of 4-22-16, I have a year supply of heartguard left for him). He also has a pillow that I will give you, as well as a harness and leash, though I would recommend looking for a different harness if you want to keep it on him all the time.
This isn't a decision I make lightly, and for that reason, I would like to see some sort of proof that you have kept up with the care of past/present animals (IE vet records) to make sure that he is going to get the care he needs to live out the rest of his life in comfort.
I think I covered everything, but if you have any additional questions, my number is-2926.
