HAPPY HIPPO - Pit Bull Terrier (medium coat) Dog For Adoption

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onths. Unfortunately, Happy Hippo was not doing well in the home and was returned last month. His owners were heartbroken to return him, but he had started getting into fights with the other dog in the home (no injuries) and was terrified of their child and they felt that he would be best in an adult home. He did bark at people that came to the house, and he seems to be more wary of men. His previous owners described a sensitive, playful and goofy dog who wants to belong and bond with his people. He lived in the home with two children, and he did well with the younger child, but was very scared of the older child and wouldn't come inside the house if the older child was there. He also wouldn't go outside if he heard kids playing in the yard next door. He did okay with the cat in the home, but he did kill two baby tortoises that were housed outside, so he likely shouldn't go to a home with small animals. In playgroup he has been in with similar sized dogs, but mostly just mingled rather than playing. Unfortunately, this dog is on our Call to Action List as shelter stress has been affecting him and he recently bit a volunteer while they were trying to leash him. We know that he was likely due to overarousal and frustration, and it seems that he was trying to bite the leash but got her finger instead, but this reflects his increasing stress. Happy Hippo has also been licking the walls of his kennel, frothing at the mouth, and leaving puddles of saliva on the floor of his kennel. He recently started exhibiting symptoms of CIRDC (also called kennel cough), and we know that this likely caused by his high levels of kennel stress that has lowered his immune system. We are trying different interventions for Happy Hippo, including anti-anxiety medication, but he desperately needs help! Due to his decreased quality of life and increased stress and frustration, this plea is urgent and time sensitive. Please let us know ASAP if you might be able to help this guy - if we cannot get his stress levels under control and give him a satisfactory quality of life while at the shelter, in addition to keeping our staff and volunteers safe, we may have to discuss humane euthanasia. Adopters: Come in anytime 1pm-5:30pm daily! Or, email animal.careventuracounty.gov for more info! Fosters: Email VCAR.Fosterventuracounty.gov Rescues: Email VCAR.Rescueventuracounty.gov

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