Billy - In Foster Care

Name: Billy

Age: Estimated 8 years

Sex: Male (altered)

Breed: Fox Terrier Mix

Location: Augusta, GA area

Vet Info: Billy is neutered per the shelter.  He is up to date on vaccines and heartworm negative.  His rabies vaccine is next due 2/13/14.  Billy weighs 25 pounds.

Owner Info: Billy was pulled from the shelter by a very kind-hearted person to save his life.  She is now hoping for rescue as she has too many dogs for her community and is unable to keep him.  Billy was in the shelter for five months, and has only been out of the shelter for a week.  Poor Billy was quite frightened in the shelter, and would actually shake in his pen while he was sleeping.  Even getting a bath was too much for him.  Billy has since had a bath, but is still frightened and will let out a warning growl if something is too much for him, although this is getting better.  He has never bitten.  His caregiver writes, "since coming out of the shelter he will growl and let you know he is upset. He has also tried to snap, but he stops doing this once he gets to know you. This is getting better every day. "  Billy is an outdoor dog with a fenced in yard, he is housebroken and leash trained.  He is good with other dogs and cats and is not possessive of toys, treats, or food.  Billy's caregiver is unsure of the reason for his blindness and says he does not have cataracts or blurry eyes.  She also writes, "It is a miracle Billy is still here. He was in a high kill shelter shaking on the floor when I saw him. He has been in there for 4 months and the workers said his time was up. I was never planning on keeping him, but rather waiting until the correct rescue came along. He is very good at trying to go to the bathroom outside and he loves to walk and lay in the back yard. He is actually very easy. He also enjoys the bath, however, he does not enjoy being picked up". 

From Billy's shelter post: An owner turned him in and told us he was 6yrs old but honestly he seems older and I would guess he was at least 7-8yrs old. He loves toys and plays like a puppy with a squeaky plush toy. He startles very easily and new things frighten him, but he does respond to floor vibrations and sound. We have tried to bathe him but it is much too scary for him, so we have not pushed the issue. This is not b/c we don't care if he is dirty, it is b/c if he bites someone he will no longer be a candidate for adoption. He would be euthanized; therefore his present state is due to our life saving measures. Billy needs someone familiar with blind and fearful dogs. That someone will have to have a lot of patience. He is so worth it!  "We think he is pretty special!"