overview

Meatballs’s Story

Meatball came to us after via a shelter placement.  He was picked up as a stray and needed some medical attention. The shelter wanted to ensure he had the best care for his needs and wanted him to find a loving home where he could be cherished and spoiled for the rest of his life.

Meatball is the epitome of a bulldog, primarily a slow-paced and sleepy guy who likes a simple day of treats, naps, and a little fresh air. Meatball is a social butterfly!  With people, he is as sweet and kind as they come. He likes to be with his people and will make fast friends with anyone who has a snack to share! Meatball is stubborn, oblivious, and a little bossy, but he has a gentle soul and is looking for his person, or people, to become his family! He hasn’t met a stranger and every single person (big or small) he meets falls head over paws for him!  While Meatball is not an active runner he does have some bursts of energy when discovering a new toy or snooping around when he catches the scent of something yummy.  When Meatball isn’t burning off some energy outside, you can find him searching for a comfy place to grab a snooze.  In between short bouts of activity, he desires the company of his humans.  Nothing makes him happier than his humans participating in all the things he loves and he will reciprocate that affection.  Meatball loves his time with his people and insists on always being within earshot of them.  He will take any pets offered, watching his human’s every movement as they move about the house.  He will inch up right next to his people for a much-needed little snooze.  Meatball enjoys mealtime, snack time, nap time, and meal time; did we say meal time twice???  He is very food-motivated, which is great when training, but not so great when he’s attempting to counter-surf. When the weather cooperates, you will find Meatball out on the deck sunning his cute little Bulldog buns.  He currently lives with a couple of English bulldog foster siblings.  As for canine companions, MB would be fine without any, but he does enjoy a snuggle and some company from another easygoing dog. He is often picky about his furry friends and struggles with meeting new dogs, so proper SLOW introductions are an absolute MUST. Due to his age and probably neglected health care, his hearing and sight are very poor. We believe he struggles with interacting with new dogs because he isn’t able to see or hear very well and it has limited his communication skills. Meatball isn’t one to start a scuffle, but due to his bully nature, he also isn’t one to back down from one either. He can come off as challenging to other dogs. He is mostly bark and very limited bite (literally his mouth is so small he can hardly bite anything bigger than a bone), but he is stubborn and hardheaded, so a strong and consistent pack leader will be needed for MB. With a slow and structured introduction, MB can co-exist with his two foster sibs. He is quite partial to his foster sister, and they will snuggle on occasion. He seems to do better with dogs smaller than him. He had a scuffle with his foster siblings when first entering his foster home. After a very slow and structured intro, he has had zero issues with his foster sister but his foster brother is not quite as comfortable. MB and his foster bro still need close supervision, but as long as MB doesn’t invade his FB’s space, they do just fine. He also does seem to get a little more agitated when he is meeting/seeing new dogs through a gate or crate. He does best when outdoors and in bright daylight where he can see the best. He does not resource guard, but he isn’t shy to try and butt his way into a meal that isn’t his or to grab a toy he wants, even if someone else has it. A verbal correction and a physical redirection can easily correct these behaviors. Meatball is experiencing a big transition and will need leadership and consistent positive reinforcement to help him adjust to his adoptive home.  He seems to get along well with every human he meets!  Because of his overall gentle disposition, his foster family believes he would be best in a home with dog-savvy, gentle, children. He can be clumsy, and can accidently knock little children over, but it’s usually in slow motion, so older children might be best. He would do well in a home with another balanced furry companion or as an only dog.  As with all of our dogs, we recommend slow introductions between dogs AND supervision around children when introducing a new dog in your home to make sure both he and they are kept safe. 

Meatball is 100% potty trained!  As with all of our dogs, any adopter will need to be able to offer him a consistent schedule to ensure continued success.  Meatball remains accident-free in his crate, although he does not love the crate, so he’s only crated when his foster family is away from the home.  Meatball is often trusted in a dog-safe space and does well and is trusted!  He has great house manners and is never crated when someone is home. We know Meatball would love to share a bed or have a bed in the room with his adoptive family as he truly relishes in the comfort of his humans.  For his safety, we recommend a similar arrangement be kept for him when his family happens to be away from the home. 

Medically, Meatball is estimated to be a senior bulldog, so he has all the lumps and bumps of a senior bully. He has had some recurring ear infections and some yeasty skin issues. While he is all healed up, his ears will need to be monitored and cleaned along with his deep nose rope. He has a few calloused spots on his feet, tail, and back that need to be cleaned as well. MB also suffers from dry eyes and will need to be on daily eye drops. He does currently take a daily joint supplement that he will need to continue as well as fish oil to aid in keeping his coat healthy and clean! Luckily, he has shown zero aggression towards any people in the home – even with picking him up, bath time, nail trims, placing in collar/harness/shirt, eye drops, etc; he a dream patienct!  He has been neutered, heartworm tested, updated on vaccinations/dewormings, microchipped, and has been given a clean bill of health by our veterinarian!  

Meatball is pretty adaptable for an “old guy” and would do great in most types of homes!  He can do stairs, although they aren’t his favorite, so a multiple floor apartment style dwelling or home with LOTS of stairs would NOT be ideal longer term.  He would be best suited for a home with little to no stairs. He would also benefit from a fenced-in yard as he loves to spend time outside, exploring the snow or sunning himself on the warm patio. A single dwelling will be needed – he can be quite vocal and would not do well in an apartment or townhome. He wouldn’t be a good office dog because he would not be able to relax in an office environment unless it was really quiet with very few people. He would love to have a stay-at-home or work-from-home family member (part-time or full-time).  If that is not an option, Meatball would be okay sleeping the day away as long as his family can arrange a mid-day potty break for him.  Meatball desires a family with stubborn bulldog experience, with many members to dote on him, one with a laid-back lifestyle and one that can offer him the little “extra” he needs to keep him happy and content. He’s looking forward to the spoiled pet life filled with a loving family that enjoys endless snores, toots, and kisses. Meatball is a character all his own, but he is so easy to love. He deserves the most devoted family to enjoy his retirement years!   

If you feel like your family might be the perfect forever home for Meatball, please submit an adoption application for him today!!