Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Eric is a 1 ½ – 2 y.o., 21 pound neutered Beagle who came to us after being rescued from a heartbreaking hoarding case. It is reported that 43 beagles were discovered living together in a single garage. Their world had been small and crowded, filled with the sounds and smells of dozens of other dogs but not much else.
Basically submissive, Eric’s socialization is progressing slowly. Eric dances & shows excitement when his foster grandpa comes home. He often follows the old man around the house, but freezes, tries to shrink, or runs away when touched. Eric does, however, wag his tail & approaches enthusiastically when treats are offered (or he thinks they might be). Eric’s love for food & treats provides a path for trust & learning.
Eric’s pee pad training is coming along nicely. He has become comfortable in the fenced yard of his foster home. Making sense of a new world, especially going away from his foster home, & being around people is stressful. Eric still finds the leash foreign.
Despite their past, Eric & his fellow hoarding survivor Melvin are resilient. At their individual paces, they are learning about safety, comfort, and companionship for the very first time. They love exploring their yard, are good on car rides & are becoming comfortable with leash walking.
Neither Eric nor Melvin are for first time owners. Each needs a patient adopter who wants the satisfaction of developing the trust & teaching skills to an under socialized dog. Quick movements & loud noises result in Eric & Melvin darting away so no children under age 8 please.
Eric & Melvin are NOT a bonded pair & may be adopted separately. Eric & Melvin are flight risks and will require extra care with secure handling & careful introductions to new people and spaces. Once they learn that home is safe, they will return that trust tenfold — becoming the most loyal, affectionate companions you could imagine.
Eric is neutered, heartworm & fecal tested negative. Eric is up to date on vaccinations as well as monthly heartworm, flea & tick preventatives.
Eric’s adoption fee is $425.
If your heart has room for a dog who’s never truly known what “home” & loving, accepting companionship feels like, Eric might be for you.
If you are interested in either Eric, please spend a few minutes looking over the Facebook page he shares with fellow hoarding survivor Melvin (facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582810926636) or search on Melvin & Eric of Heather’s Foster Dogs.
If you believe either Eric is for you, then go to our website heathersfosterdogs.org/ . Click on Adoption Application in the menu at the top of the page to find our electronic application which serves as the basis of a conversation. Submit it & you will be contacted. We will make arrangements to meet with prospective adopters only after a submitted application has been reviewed & a phone conversation has taken place.
Adopting a dog from a hoarding situation can be one of the most challenging — and rewarding — experiences in rescue. These dogs are learning about life from the ground up: hands can be gentle, food will always come, leashes can mean adventure, and people can be trusted. Everyday sights and may feel strange or scary at first. Progress can be slow, but watching them open up is nothing short of extraordinary.
*** Please note that we are a foster based group located in the southern suburbs of Chicago. Our service area is the greater Chicago metropolitan area. ***
