Featured Dog Friday

Today we are re-featuring handsome Dougie whose heartbreaking story touches our hearts like no other. Here we are beginning the new year while sweet Dougie still waits behind shelter walls for the forever he was promised; waiting for the love of his life and a home to call his own. He is looking for a fresh start, a bed to curl up in and a human to share his life with forever. 

Dougie originally came to the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter as a stray in October of 2019. He waited and waited for his family to come and find him and take him home but that never happened. Then in April of 2019 Dougie was adopted; but sadly returned after he escaped his yard by jumping the four-foot high  fence multiple times to chase after other animals. 

In March of 2022, we were thrilled to release a Happy Tails announcement — Dougie was adopted. Sadly, his family experienced an unexpected tragedy and poor Dougie is homeless once again. Thankfully, the shelter staff and volunteers who know Dougie so very well are there to help mend his once again broken heart, but deep down inside they know a forever home is what he really needs. 

Dougie is as sweet as they come, a very affectionate cuddle bug with tons of love to share, but he is simply not a fan of other animals. You see, Dougie has a high prey drive which requires management by an experienced dog person. 

One of the main reasons dogs like Dougie chase other animals is simply because it is fun. Prey drive is normal, it is manageable and you can train a dog to stop reacting or redirect those instincts into something just as pleasurable, such as games. We have discussed high prey drive before in a couple articles and will reiterate that this is a 100% natural type of chase, is an internal state and an instinctive behavior in all dogs. Some dogs have a higher desire to chase, while others may have little to no desire to chase. 

Prey drive is not breed specific and it is not the same thing as social aggression shown towards other dogs. Dougie walks very nicely on a leash and can pass other dogs with no issues while out on a walk, but off leash, if he gets out of a yard loose, he will run after any animal he sees. 

While it can be difficult to change an innate, instinctive behavior, it is possible to manage a high prey drive dog a lot better with the right training and intervention. With this in mind, Dougie needs an active home where he can exercise on a daily basis. A very special mom and dad — a savvy, experienced, strong, and patient individuals who ars committed to him and will put in the time needed to teach him the ropes of life and help him become the best he can be. Individuals with time to engage him in other play activities that involve chasing, catching and retrieving, playing with toys, playing fetch, tug of war or maybe even involving him in agility sports as a positive and fun outlet for his prey drive.

Dougie will do best as your only pet in an adult-only household with a secure, six-foot high, fenced in yard. He is estimated to be about 9 years young, weighs 64 pounds, is up to date on vaccinations, neutered, micro-chipped and heartworm negative. He is completely housebroken, knows his basic commands, and is crate trained. 

It is a sad fact that senior pets like Dougie are often the last to be adopted. When asked why this is, a common concern is that an older dog won’t be in your life as long as a puppy would. While this may be true, their gratitude, love and loyalty is just as true. If anything, a senior dog will teach you to value every day you have the honor of spending with them that much more and they’ll thank you forever for seeing past their grey muzzle to the love they still have to give. 

Adopting a senior dog like Dougie and giving him a second chance to live his last years in the comfort of a loving home is priceless. Some things just get better with age, and there is no exception when it comes to senior dogs. In spite of their age, or maybe because of it, they are very special.

We really can’t say enough about what an affectionate loving guy he is! Dougie is an all around amazing dog with a lively personality. He is very people oriented, eager to please and very intelligent. Could you be the one to make his wish come true?

No one really knows how much time they have left on this earth, and it’s just so heartbreaking to see Dougie back behind shelter walls. Let’s not allow him to wait any longer! 

If you’re interested in this handsome boy, make an appointment and head down to the shelter – don’t hesitate! Dougie has been waiting far too long already. Although he needs to be your one and only pet, he is so full of life and love that he is all you will ever need!

Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter
300 Horseblock Road
Brookhaven, NY 11719
(631) 451-6950

Be sure to head over to Adoption Central right here on Paws Give Me Purpose, share Dougie and all the other Featured Dog Friday pups still in search of their forever homes.

Adoption Central