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Gordito’s Story

PLEASE READ HIS BIO VERY CAREFULLY PRIOR TO APPLYING. Gordito came into SNAFU Rescue via breeder release. His breeder wanted him to be placed in a loving pet home to be spoiled and live out his life as a cherished pet.

Gordito is very much a typical active, silly, goofy, daffy, playful puppy who loves anyone and everyone he meets! You wouldn’t know anything is wrong with him until a vet listened to his little heart during a physical examination. Gordy (as he is affectionately referred to in his foster home) was diagnosed with a grade 4 heart murmur and was surrendered to SNAFU Rescue for help in finding a wonderful home for him even though his heart will need some extra monitoring by a cardiologist throughout his lifetime. Gordy absolutely loves to play with the other dogs in his foster home. He fancies a gentle game of wrestling, a romp around with his toys, or really any kind of engagement that is FUN! He is full of endless energy, extra love, and mostly trouble!

Gordy adores everyone he meets; greeting them with endless enthusiasm and begging for attention.  This boy has yet to meet a stranger (whether they have 2 legs or 4). He can often be found galloping around the house with a plush toy in tow just trying to engage someone to join in on his fun; he will even carry his beloved stuffed animal outside during his potty breaks. Although he can carry things that are not “dog” approved he is rarely destructive with anything he gets his little paws on. After he tires himself out with his endless play, Gordy will search for a sunny spot on the floor to settle in for a nap or even a chew session if a bully stick is within reach. After a much-needed nap, Gordy is back looking for some activity in his foster home. He is still a puppy after all and it is truly fun and games all the time!

If he isn’t playing non-stop (like a typical puppy), he is looking for a soft place to snooze. Whether it is a soft comfy place on the floor, snuggled up with his foster siblings, or cuddled up next to his humans, Gordy sure does crave nap time! He more often than not will mimic the behaviors of his foster siblings and because of that, we feel Gordy would do best in a home with other dogs. He sure does well with the entertainment they offer and will help him develop proper dog behaviors. Gordy would do well as an only pet if there was constant stimulation.

Gordy has been around children and we feel he is best suited for a family that has children of any age assuming he is monitored closely as he is a clumsy puppy that can run in like a freight train when playing. As with all of our dogs, slow introductions to other dogs and children in the household are a must and he should always be supervised to make sure both he and they are kept safe.

Gordy is still a young dog; potty training is a work in progress but he has made amazing strides. His foster home happily reports he is nearly trained and averaging about 1 accident per week. He has been doing well going potty outside, a regular and consistent schedule along with treat motivation will help with continued potty training in his new home. As with all of our dogs, any adopter will need to be able to and willing to continue working on potty training with him. In addition to his normal routine, his foster family makes sure to take Gordy outside every often (especially right after meals and before bedtime). Gordy sleeps in his crate only when his foster family happens to be away from the home requesting a comfy blanket and a safe chew toy to occupy his time. Gordy does sleep in a human bed in the evening and would prefer to continue to share a bed and cuddle with his forever family!

Medically, Gordy is in good health outside of his grade 4 heart murmur. He has had an echocardiogram (ultrasound) done on his heart. He has been diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), which causes irregular communication in the ventricular septum; the wall that separates the ventricles from one another. This results in the blood being diverted or shunted, from one side of the heart to the other. Gordy is currently on medication for his condition but also shows no symptoms (fatigue, fainting, etc.) that indicate he has any issues with his heart. He will need to be monitored for any signs of heart disease or congestive heart failure as he ages (fatigue, weakness, lethargy, shortness of breath, fainting, etc.) and will need a follow-up echocardiogram in 5 months to reevaluate and determine if intervention is required. Future echocardiograms will be required.

Gordy is a happy, active puppy, (showing no outward signs of a murmur) but his heart absolutely *must* continue to be monitored by both a veterinarian *AND* a veterinary cardiologist for life. The cost of one echocardiogram ranges from approximately $450 at K-State in Kansas to approximately $600 in the Omaha, Nebraska area. Please research cardiologists in your area to check on prices for future echocardiograms for him in the future as they will absolutely be required for Gordy and can be more or less costly depending on the area in which you live. Potential adopters will need to have a veterinary cardiologist within reasonable driving distance to be approved to adopt him (3-4 hours max driving time).

Since his lifespan could possibly be shorter than a “regular” dog, we want him to have the best life he could possibly have, but that goes for all our foster dogs, of course! We will be VERY strict with “vetting” any potential adopters for Gordy, as we want to make sure he is very loved and has the best life and care (both in-home care and vet care) that he possibly can during his lifetime. More information on Ventricular Septal Defect here.

Gordy would do well in almost any type of home but since he is still working on potty training, learning to walk on a leash, and still learning to listen upon command a home with a fenced yard will be preferred for him (opposed to a multiple floor apartment style dwelling with no yard). He would love to go to work with his new family if they wanted to take him to the office as he nearly mastered the potty training game! As mentioned, he loves all people and will quickly become fast friends with everyone at the office. If his people are not able to take him to work with them, no problem! He would love to have a full-time or part-time work-from-home or stay-at-home parent. Gordy is looking for an active family with many members who can match his energy, provide him with structure, and training, and be available to guide him into proper dog behaviors.

Gordito is a very active, typically energetic puppy, so please be ready for the needs and care requirements of a young dog (and a special needs one, at that). If you are looking for an addition to your family that needs and wants your undivided attention, then Gordito is your boy! If you feel like your family might be the perfect forever home for Gordito, please submit an adoption application for him today!!