My name is Nacho!

Nacho was a dog we fostered about 2 years ago. He was one of the most endearing dogs we had ever met and was adopted by a wonderful young couple and their female dog. Nacho had a great time with them, and they did everything right for him. Unfortunately, Nacho's human mom recently passed away after giving birth from post-delivery complications. Nacho's dad, now faced with raising a new baby alone, has realized that he is unable to give Nacho the attention he needs to be a happy dog and has asked us to help find Nacho another home.

Nacho's History

Nacho was found as a stray in Mexico after the havoc of Hurricane Wilma. He was protecting and helping to feed another stray, a small white puppy we named Tessie who we assume had been recently orphaned. He was a surrogate mother to Tess, though he was not much more than a puppy himself at the time. Nacho would go around and beg for food, which he would then bring back for Tessie. But most of the people he would beg for food from kicked and otherwise abused him. The volunteers that found them tried to leave food and water out for them but those would always get knocked over by passersby.

By the time the volunteers had managed to find a place they could take the 2 strays to, Nacho had been so starved and beaten that he could no longer move. There was gum in his hair and an open stab wound. Even as frightened and in as much pain as he had to have been, Nacho 's highest priority was that Tessie was taken care of too. When he was taken in for medical treatment, he cried until Tess was found and reunited with him.

It didn't take Tessie long before she was adopted but Nacho came to us to be fostered until he could find his own forever family. A wonderful couple and their female dog did eventually find him and welcomed him into their hearts completely. They loved him like he deserved to be loved, trained him, and did everything right for him.

Unfortunately, after 2 years of bliss for Nacho, his human mom passed away and everything would change for him. It broke Nacho's dad's heart to realize that, with a newborn and an older dog to care for, he alone could not provide Nacho with the time and attention Nacho needed to remain a happy dog. He made the very difficult decision to give Nacho back to us so we could find him another home just as wonderful as the one he knew.

About Nacho

Nacho is every bit as sweet, loving, and just plain delightful as I knew he would be when I first heard his story those years ago, and I feel very fortunate that we have had an opportunity to get to know such an amazing dog.

We're not exactly sure what breed Nacho is, but the majority of opinions we've received have been brindle australian shepherd/airedale terrier mix. He's more part sheep, mostly teddy bear to me. His coat is extremely curly and he's an interesting brindle color. His tail is a little nub that lightly shakes back and forth. His ears are a bit lopsided, his paws point outward, and the pigmentation at the bottom of his eyes are different colors. Plus he runs funny. It all makes for the most interesting-looking (and to me, most adorable) dog around. He is approx 4 years old now and weighs about 55 lbs, though he could lose a few lbs.

Nacho is a goofy, yet endearing dog, both in looks and in personality. Funny little sounds come out of him when he's playing and sleeping, and it's always a sight when I find him sleeping upside down with his paws sticking up in the air. He's just the kind of dog that you love to watch and hug because everything about him, the way he moves, the expression on his face, the honking-grunting noises he makes, down to his curly hair, makes you want to smile. He's a happy boy, and while I'm certain he hasn't forgotten his past, it hasn't chipped away at his spirit.

Nacho is very pliable and his temperament is very even. He may instinctively jump a little at new sights and sounds but he gets over it almost immediately. He's eager to please and very treat-motivated which makes training easier. Nacho is crate-trained, housetrained, rides well in the car, and is good on leash. He graduated from obedience class and knows "sit," "down," "shake," "stay," and "grizzly bear." (Grizzly bear is when you hold your arm out in front of you, elbow bent, and he puts his front paws on your arm like a grizzly bear, and kisses you.) Nacho's dad feels that his capacity to learn new commands is endless if there was someone who had the time & inclination to teach him. He gives soft licks and takes treats out of my hand with gentleness. Nacho loves to play with other dogs and is happy to meet new people.

As cuddly and good-natured as Nacho is, he still isn't a perfect dog and whoever welcomes him into their hearts will have to realize this, accept him with the qualities that cannot be changed, and be willing to work with him with those that can.

• Sometimes jumps on people when he is excited. The "grizzly bear" command was used to help control this impulse.
  

  
  

• Likes to mark his territory. He is generally good about not doing this in the house but as a precaution should be closely monitored for the first few days until he gets familiar with all the new scents.
  

  
  

• Sheds and should be brushed daily. Nacho enjoys being furminated.
  

  
  

• Gets very nervous around people in uniform at the vet's office.
  

  
  

• Is scared of high winds, probably as a result of his experience with Hurricane Wilma.
  

  
  

• Was diagnosed with mild hip dysplasia, which does not cause him pain or limit his mobility in any way. However, he should be given glucosamine supplements and monitored for any changes as he gets older.
  

  
  

• Snores.

Adopting Nacho

Nacho has a tremendous amount of affection and devotion to offer. It is difficult for me to imagine him spending all those months when he was younger caring for another, because Nacho himself has such a vulnerability about him and is quite child-like. That he was willing and able to do that speaks volumes about his heart and his courage. Despite such a harsh beginning in life, he has retained his gentleness, good nature, and willingness to trust.

We hope to find someone that will protect him, nurture him, and treat him with the kindness he deserves as well as someone who understands the importance of continued socialization, proper training, and good old fashion exercise. He is a well-mannered dog with very few issues, and we are looking for a family that will be diligent and consistent in caring for him so that new issues do not arise.

We would prefer he go to a home without small children as he may unintentionally knock them over in his enthusiasm. Nacho would be fine as an only dog but would probably do best with a playful canine companion. Nacho is not overly active, though he does have energy, so would need daily exercise.

If you are interested in adopting Nacho, please email your completed Adoption Application. Nacho is currently being fostered in ANTIOCH. We do request a $275 tax-deductible donation to help cover a portion of each dog's medical and transport expenses. Nacho will come with a crate, crate bed, donut dog bed, 35-lb bag of premium dog food, treats, toys, 6 months of Frontline flea & tick preventative, and 6 months of Heartgard heartworm preventative. Nacho is neutered, current on shots, microchipped, and current on flea & heartworm medication. A homecheck will also be required because we do want to be sure that each dog goes to an environment suited to them.

Life thus far has been an incredible and not always happy journey for Nacho. He served as a guardian angel to another, now we hope to find one for him. Nacho is a playful, huggable, incredibly endearing dog. Brighten up his life with your love and he will undoubtedly blind you with his.

It's not bedtime already, is it??

YAY! Sleepover!