Help us find DJ a family!
DJ is a handsome, healthy boy who has been waiting over a year to meet his forever family. Compared to when DJ first came into care, you probably wouldn’t recognize him today.
Since arriving at Coveted Canines, DJ has received the medical attention he so severely needed, and his foster mom, Jessica, has done an amazing job at monitoring his health and familiarizing him with a normal routine. He’s been living with her since last May (he originally entered the rescue last February) and he has made a tremendous amount of progress since then.
DJ ended up in the care of Coveted Canines because his former owners didn’t realize he had an allergy, so they were feeding him generic dog food. This caused him to lose a severe amount of hair and weight. He was extremely ill to the point where he almost had to be euthanized. He had little fur left on his body, was covered in sores and was dripping blood from excessive scratching. Vets believe DJ has an allergy to all animal proteins except 1, so he’s currently on a special diet of kangaroo food. He is also on allergy medication.
When he first arrived at Jessica’s house, he was so thin that you could see his ribs. He didn’t know how to walk on a leash and was terrified of everything as his owners had kept him in a basement for the entirety of his life. He didn’t trust humans but wanted so badly to be loved. He would approach Jessica to try and cuddle, but when she would try to pet him, he would back away.
It took DJ a few months to warm up to people, but now, in many ways, he’s the opposite compared to how he was before. He has plenty of hair and sheds a lot, and he has filled out into a healthy weight, about 100 pounds.
DJ would be best in a home without other pets and without children. He’s timid and spooks easily, so sudden movements and loud noises can be very upsetting. DJ is a mix of German Shepherd, Rottweiler and Hound so he is naturally a guard dog. He loves to sit in front of the window and watch people pass by. Jessica says DJ is protective as long as he’s in the house but tends to be scared when he’s outside.
“He is very hyper and very strong,” says Jessica. “He needs to be with someone who has experience with large dogs and has a lot of time and patience for him.” DJ can be quite anxious and would be most comfortable in a home where someone is there with him for most of the day. DJ is crate-trained for when his owners have to go out, but if he’s not in his crate, he can be alone for about 4 hours before he starts getting into trouble around the house.
DJ is high energy and would thrive in a home with a backyard where he can play. He loves running and going on walks, and he enjoys being near the water and playing in the snow. He doesn’t know how to swim but he will go in shallow water up to his stomach. Since smaller dogs often bark at him, he prefers to avoid them and will often ignore them completely if they bark at him during their walks. He will let other dogs take the lead when they play together. While he used to go after squirrels and cats, Jessica says he mainly leaves them alone now.
DJ goes to the vet about every 6 weeks to have his glands drained. Though his diet is limited to kangaroo food, he can have healthy treats like cucumbers and apples. Jessica says DJ loves to be close to his human companions. He cuddles up on the couch with her and shares her bed at night.
DJ has shown his eagerness to love and please, and his ability to adapt. We’re looking for a person or a family who can be a source of consistent support and stability for DJ while he continues to work through his insecurities and anxieties. He’s become increasingly comfortable and confident during his time with Jessica and we’re hopeful that in the right household, he’ll continue to learn and trust.
You can read more about DJ in his adoption bio, and learn more about our adoption process here.
Photos by Capture North Studios
www.capturenorthstudios.ca
UPDATE: DJ was adopted by his wonderful and loving foster turned forever family in January 2022 after almost 600 days in rescue.