Adopt

My name is Heath Cocoapup!

Posted over 3 weeks ago

Adoption process
1

Submit Application

2

Interview

3

Interview

4

Meet the Pet

5

Sign Adoption Contract

6

Take the Pet Home

Adoption fee: $300

This helps Hearthfire Animal Rescue Team (HART) with pet care costs.

My basic info

Breed
Doberman Pinscher/Alaskan Malamute
Color
Brown/Chocolate - with Tan
Age
1 year 2 months old, Young
Size
Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg) (when grown)
Weight
75 lbs (current)
Sex
Male
Pet ID

My details

Checkmark in teal circle Good with dogs
Checkmark in teal circle Good with cats
Checkmark in teal circle Shots current
Checkmark in teal circle Spayed / Neutered
Checkmark in teal circle Housetrained

My personality

My story

Here's what the humans have to say about me:

He can run like the wind when he's outside and off-leash, but when indoors Heath is a mellow fellow. Intensely focused on his special person, this affectionate boy will constantly look to you for cues as to what you're planning to do, and how you want him to behave.

HISTORY

Heath is a member of the Cocoapup litter - five sweet boys who were very young, sick babies when they were dumped on a country road near Prosser, in Eastern Washington, in September last year. It took a while in their loving foster home to get them healthy and build their confidence, but they've matured into delightful companions and we are heartbroken and puzzled that three of these pups (Reese, Rolo and Heath) are still waiting for their forever families to choose them!

Heath was in fact adopted, but he was returned after a couple months because the young couple who adopted him couldn't meet his exercise needs after one of them was injured in a fall.

Their breed mix is a well-educated guess. It's pretty obvious that they're at least half Doberman, and this was confirmed by a DNA test done by the person who adopted one of their brothers. The test also indicated that the other half was made up of Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky. They have short Dobie-style coats, and their temperament is also typical Dobie.

All three boys get on well (they often meet for playdates) and could be placed together - but they're not tightly bonded and would also do well being placed in different homes.

SOCIALIZATION

When Heath was adopted his lifestyle changed dramatically, from a home with lots of dogs on a few acres to a city apartment and only one senior dog. But although the first week or so was difficult for him, he was able to work through the anxiety and adjust to the change.

Heath quickly bonds very tightly with his special people. He needs caregivers who are gentle and patient as well as firm, consistent and able to be confident leaders. He tends to be reserved and slow to warm up to strangers, but he knows how to greet people politely when they visit his home, or meet him while out on a walk. He is uncomfortable around young children, but would probably do well in a home with calm, kind, dog-savvy children aged about 12 and over.

He grew up in a home with a large pack of dogs of all sizes, and he is generally comfortable with other dogs. He especially enjoys playing with his brothers, although he is not closely bonded to them and will do fine if adopted separately. When in a new environment he may tend to be possessive of
"his" humans and growly at any other dogs, but given time he settles down and is willing to share. On walks he can be somewhat leash-reactive toward other dogs who get too close, but he does very well playing off-leash at a dog park.

In a previous foster home Heath lived with cats, and he treated them with respect. If a cat were to run he would probably chase, but we believe he would be safe sharing his home with a confident, dog-savvy cat.

TEMPERAMENT AND BEHAVIOR

Heath is fairly confident, provided he's with someone he trusts. He's not one to rush into a new situation, but will rather stop and analyze it before moving forward.

This boy is a lover! He's not needy, but if you settle down on the couch, expect him to jump up beside you and rest his head on your lap - in other words, he's exactly what you're looking for as we head toward winter!

Heath's ideal home has a fenced yard big enough to play in, and a friendly, playful canine companion of compatible size to help him work off his energy. He is not an especially high energy dog - he happily spends hours on end just kicking back somewhere comfortable and keeping his human company - but he's not a couch potato. This boy needs several daily walks or play sessions, and would make an excellent hiking or jogging companion.

That said, he adapted well to apartment life. Given plenty of exercise and stimulation, and provided the complex is designed to minimize crowding, he'll be a good fit for an active person who works mostly from home.

Heath isn't greatly interested in balls, but he enjoys having a good chew and he LOVES figuring out how to get a treat out of a puzzle toy.

He loves car rides - he knows they usually end in something fun, and he will also wait quietly if left in the car for a short while.

Heath is naturally protective, and will bark when strangers approach the property. He is generally more comfortable with women, but most men have to be approved by his foster mom and pay an entry fee of one treat before they come through the gate.

TRAINING

Heath's house manners are good. He is reliably potty trained and crate trained, and he doesn't steal food or counter-surf. When left alone in his crate he may bark for a little while but quickly settles down with something to chew. He also thinks YouTube dog videos are a great way to pass the time!

His adopters put him through a course with an online trainer and he learned a lot. Commands he knows include "touch", "look at me", "sit" and "down", and he's working on "stay" and "leave it". This is a smart boy who enjoys pleasing his people, will eagerly work for treats, and loves learning new skills.

His recall needs work - he might keep you waiting if he's busy with something interesting - but he's quick to come running if he sees you're getting ready to leave the place you're visiting.

He knows how to walk well on a leash, but he does tend to pull and needs frequent corrections. When on leash if he sees humans approaching he's inclined to freeze and stare, and he can be reactive (lunging and barking) when he sees other dogs. We are working with him on these behaviors and he's making progress.

HEALTH STATUS

Based on their teeth and the fact that they could barely lap water, we estimated that the Cocoapups were maybe six weeks old when we took them in. We have assigned them July 23, 2023 as their birthday.

Heath has been neutered, fully vaccinated, treated for internal and external parasites, and microchipped. His full vet records will be provided to his adopter. He weighs around 75 lbs and appears to be in excellent health.

ADOPTION INFORMATION

Heath is living in a private home in Kennewick, and will be available to meet you after your adoption application has been approved. Please email HearthfireART@gmail.com to request an adoption application form. Heath's adoption fee is $300.

For more pictures of Heath, please see his Facebook album at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.633912432223183&type=3
Rescue
Hearthfire Animal Rescue Team (HART)

Contact info

Pet ID
Contact
Phone
Website
Address
PO Box 5271, West Richland, WA 99353
Donation

Their adoption process

1.

Submit Application

Please e-mail us at HearthfireART@gmail.com to request an adoption application. Apps must be completed and returned via email.

2.

Interview

We evaluate the app, run a background check, call your vet and landlord, call personal references, and interview all adults in your home.

3.

Interview

We connect you with the pet's releasing owner or foster, who can provide specific information about the pet's needs, habits and history.

4.

Meet the Pet

Because all our pets are in foster homes, you will meet the pet only after your app is approved. Usually we bring the pet to your home.

5.

Sign Adoption Contract

If the introduction goes well you sign the contract, pay an adoption fee. and welcome your new family member home.

6.

Take the Pet Home

We continue to be available to provide advice and support throughout the transition period and beyond.

Additional adoption info

n/a

More about this rescue

People need to rehome animals for various reasons, including changed circumstances, a bad match between the pet and the family, and a desire to help an animal they have rescued find a forever home. Most conventional Animal Rescues are overwhelmed by the need, and people can wait a long time for help. Municipal Shelters do the best they can, but often euthanize "surplus" pets and, even at best, usually cannot offer an environment that makes people feel good about dropping off animals they care about. Advertising animals on Craigslist is potentially risky, especially for people with limited experience in finding quality forever homes.

Our goal is to provide support for individuals who want to help the animals in their care find the right forever home, and who either cannot find help from a Rescue or choose to work independently. We have years of experience actively volunteering for successful Rescue organizations in a senior capacity, and are well equipped to support and advise animal lovers.

We do NOT support backyard breeding, but will help individuals with "accidental litters", on condition that they have their dogs sterilized to ensure no repetition of these accidents.

We have established relationships with conventional Rescues throughout Washington, and where appropriate will help people place their pets with these Rescues.

We provide:
* A trustworthy connection between releasing owners and potential adopters
* Advice and assistance in ensuring that pets offered for adoption are healthy, sterilized and up-to-date on vaccinations
* Personal evaluation of all pets in our program, as needed (We make an effort to meet all the pets in our program but may initially rely on releasing owners for information. Potential adopters may request an evaluation at no charge if they have concerns.)
* Advice and support with the adoption process (including writing pet profiles and taking photographs and video for marketing pets to serious potential adopters, identifying good homes, background checks, documentation, participation in adoption events, setting adoption fees, etc)
* Counseling and other support, as needed (including home visits to potential adopters, provision of food and equipment, funding for vet care, rehabilitation advice, introductions to conventional rescues, etc)

Other pets at this rescue