Flap Jack, our cat cottage night manager and tripod bachelor extraordinaire, recently got a chance to have holiday sleepover with a couple of our foster volunteers. They were able to spend time with him in a home-setting to see what he’s like outside the shelter, which is hugely helpful to us. They shared their impressions with us, hoping to give you a better idea of his personality and best fit.
They shared some of what we already knew (he’s house-trained and affectionate) and some surprises (he’s a total couch potato lap dog). Here are some of their insights on how Flap Jack did:
• He was SO easy in so many ways. He could have easily gotten into Christmas presents or food while he was home alone but he would barely explore and then settle down quickly. On that note, it was lovely that he didn't have separation anxiety - we watched him on the living room camera and he'd wonder where we were for a bit but then he'd quickly nap on the couch.
• Speaking of couch - dude loves the couch. I brought him a dog bed which he was happy about and then he politely said "no thank you, I prefer the couch". He spent both nights there and I think barely moved a muscle all night, he was just super content to be on a couch. When it was super cold, he loved being under the blanket.
• He was fine with the short steps to go outside, but he showed no interest in following us upstairs where our bedroom is.
• Both mornings around 7:30am, he just wanted to snuggle on the couch and was not eager to urgently go outside. He'd be great for someone who doesn't necessarily want a 5am doggie wakeup every day.
• He totally thinks he's a lap dog and he can be a little much with his excited kisses. 99% of his excitement was channeled via licks, but there were a few kisses with teeth that were a little painful if you weren't keeping some distance… Sometimes he would channel his excitement by putting my fingers in his mouth, which he was super gentle about.
• He played with toys for short stints, but wasn't super entertained by them for long periods of time. Again, not destructive at all!
• He grazed on his food - sounds like what he does in the shelter - although he was more into it when there was wet food or a little human food on it. It's pretty clear that he's had human food in a house before because he was pumped for cheese and whatever we were eating. When we ate at the dining room table, it was great that he just laid at our feet (pic included) instead of jumping on us even though he was clearly interested in our food.
• Great on a leash - he's obviously strong but it felt very manageable. It was great that he either had no reactions to other dogs or cried a little because he wanted to play.”
Flap Jack would need to be an only dog (no cats) in an adult home. He’d be a best fit for a quieter, low-traffic home where he can relax and ease into a routine. He’s a quick learner and is very eager to please. We often use him as our ambassador dog when have volunteer groups out at the shelter. He loves meeting our guests.
Flap Jack, our cat cottage night manager and tripod bachelor extraordinaire, recently got a chance to have holiday sleepover with a couple of our foster volunteers. They were able to spend time with him in a home-setting to see what he’s like outside the shelter, which is hugely helpful to us. They shared their impressions with us, hoping to give you a better idea of his personality and best fit.
They shared some of what we already knew (he’s house-trained and affectionate) and some surprises (he’s a total couch potato lap dog). Here are some of their insights on how Flap Jack did:
• He was SO easy in so many ways. He could have easily gotten into Christmas presents or food while he was home alone but he would barely explore and then settle down quickly. On that note, it was lovely that he didn't have separation anxiety - we watched him on the living room camera and he'd wonder where we were for a bit but then he'd quickly nap on the couch.
• Speaking of couch - dude loves the couch. I brought him a dog bed which he was happy about and then he politely said "no thank you, I prefer the couch". He spent both nights there and I think barely moved a muscle all night, he was just super content to be on a couch. When it was super cold, he loved being under the blanket.
• He was fine with the short steps to go outside, but he showed no interest in following us upstairs where our bedroom is.
• Both mornings around 7:30am, he just wanted to snuggle on the couch and was not eager to urgently go outside. He'd be great for someone who doesn't necessarily want a 5am doggie wakeup every day.
• He totally thinks he's a lap dog and he can be a little much with his excited kisses. 99% of his excitement was channeled via licks, but there were a few kisses with teeth that were a little painful if you weren't keeping some distance… Sometimes he would channel his excitement by putting my fingers in his mouth, which he was super gentle about.
• He played with toys for short stints, but wasn't super entertained by them for long periods of time. Again, not destructive at all!
• He grazed on his food - sounds like what he does in the shelter - although he was more into it when there was wet food or a little human food on it. It's pretty clear that he's had human food in a house before because he was pumped for cheese and whatever we were eating. When we ate at the dining room table, it was great that he just laid at our feet (pic included) instead of jumping on us even though he was clearly interested in our food.
• Great on a leash - he's obviously strong but it felt very manageable. It was great that he either had no reactions to other dogs or cried a little because he wanted to play.”
Flap Jack would need to be an only dog (no cats) in an adult home. He’d be a best fit for a quieter, low-traffic home where he can relax and ease into a routine. He’s a quick learner and is very eager to please. We often use him as our ambassador dog when have volunteer groups out at the shelter. He loves meeting our guests.
