Huckleberry came to Pets Alive Westchester a few months ago from a high kill shelter in the south where he had been turned in as a stray.   He was in very poor physical condition and he had a large wound on his neck.  As is the fate of so many dogs who wind up in the southern shelter system, Huckleberry was slated to be killed.   A local southern rescue took him in and lovingly mended not only his wounds but his broken heart.  When they asked for help placing him into a loving home, Pets Alive Westchester agreed to take this beautiful, sweet, boy and to find him a home.

When Huckleberry arrived, we were amazed at his stunning good looks and his gentle loving personality.  This boy will find a home quickly, we thought.  He waited patiently, and he watched as all of the dogs that made the journey north with him were adopted.   New dogs came and went, but Huckleberry barely got a second glance.  He was beginning to get restless, and had began pacing in his kennel run.  He wanted out of the kennel.  He wanted a quiet place to rest.  He wanted company.

One night as we were making our rounds in the kennels, we found Huckleberry whimpering in his run,  in obvious pain.  We could see that his leg was broken.   By following the trail of blood in his run, we theorized that he had climbed to the top of his run, gotten his leg caught and finally fell to the floor.

We rushed him to the Animal Specialty Center, where he underwent surgery.  He would need 6-8 weeks of low activity in order to allow the leg to heal.   In a kennel environment, low activity means cage rest.  For a dog like Huckleberry, that would simply not be possible.

Luckily for Huckleberry, his surgeon fell in love with him and asked if she could foster him while he mended.   Of course we said YES!  So Huckleberry spent his days at the office hanging out with two golden retrievers owned by one of the other doctors, and he spent most nights cuddled up with his doctor. Life was good for Huckleberry, except on the nights when the doctor could not take him home.  On those nights, Huckleberry was kept in a run at the hospital.  It became clear that Huckleberry could not tolerate being in a kennel run or a crate, and even the wonderful staff at the hospital could not get him to settle down when confined.

Fast forward 8 weeks to today.  Huckleberry has recuperated.  It is time for him to come back to us.  His surgeon loves him, but she knows that her work schedule of long (sometimes 12 hour) days, and a tiny apartment are not what huckleberry needs.  She wants more for him – he NEEDS more.  She would like to see Huckleberry go into a home with other dogs.  He loves their company and finds great comfort in having them around.   She has also noted that he is content to explore  in a fenced in yard, and shows no signs of trying to escape even when left alone in the yard.  So access to a yard through a doggie door would be ideal for this boy.  She tells us that in the house he is a perfect gentleman.  He is calm, affectionate, loves to snuggle and is house-trained!  He is also energetic and very smart. He does love to be near his people, though, so would need someone who is home much of the time, or who can take him along.

We have moved Huckleberry to Pets Alive Middletown because we have spacious outdoor runs that he can live in with other dogs and to help alleviate the stress for him.  We are hoping this move will help him to overcome his fears of being alone and/or confined.

Won’t you PLEASE consider opening your heart and your home to 18 month old Huckleberry?  HE NEEDS YOU RIGHT NOW. In return, he will love you unconditionally and be your faithful companion.    Please send email to adoptions@petsalive.com if you are able to give this boy the life he deserves.