Socialization/training: Castro loves people, dogs, treats, and nightly massages. He is spoiled and deserves to be. He has welcomed strangers into our house with tail wags. He is startled by noises but will not run to hide from them. He is a quick learner. During his time here he mastered the commands come, sit, kennel, and want a cookie :) upstairs, shake and he knows his name. He also mastered jumping on the sofa and bed for love rubs. He gets along very well with the 3 other dogs in his foster home with no issues. He loves to play and cuddle with the other dogs. Prior to arriving in the US, he spent some time in a foster home with several cats and he got along with them with no issues.
Crate trained: He eats in his crate and does not bark when crated. He goes in willingly but expects a treat. He was initially crated when we left the house but now has free roam of the house with the other dogs. He is not crated at night.
Leash trained: Castro has not gone on many walks due to the weather here. I’ve taken him to dog-friendly businesses and Petsmart. He does best with a harness. He doesn’t pull but will weave at times because of his eyesight. We haven’t encountered any squirrels, so I’m not sure what his reaction will be. He has stopped walking when he hears birds to try to locate them. He has not been dog-reactive when seeing another dog.
Activity Level: Castro is your typical run, play, chase, repeat Setter in the yard! Inside the house, it’s all about the toys! He has no preference- squeakers, stuffies, bones, etc.- he loves them all. Inside or outside, he’ll play with the resident dogs. He also enjoys sitting on the sofa next to a fur friend or his humans for cuddles and rubs.
Fence: A fence is required. I might consider an invisible fence but will need to talk to potential adopter first.
Behavior: Castro seeks affection, especially when his people are in the bathroom; in other words, he is a bathroom stalker! Definitely not a velcro dog but enjoys his cuddle time. He is not a fan of loud noises and will startle but quickly recover. I believe it might be that he can’t see where the noise is coming from. Even though he lost an eye, he doesn’t see the world any differently. He can still spot a bird he hears chirping in a tree, notice a crumb of food dropped in the kitchen, spot the toy he wants to play with in one of the other dog’s mouths, and all the other good things life has to offer.
Medical History: Castro is missing his left eye. He was found with an empty eye socket, which was surgically closed to prevent infection. He has adjusted quite well to using only one eye. He is neutered, microchipped, current on all vaccinations, and on monthly heartworm and flea/tick prevention. His next Leishmania test is due no later than 11/6/2025.
This dog originates from Greece where Leishmaniasis is endemic. They tested negative before coming to the USA, but the parasite can remain dormant in the system for many years, so potential adopters must be willing to commit to annual testing for the next 7 years. Typically, the test needs to be sent to a special lab, but any regular vet can draw the blood and send it to the lab. The cost of the test seems to vary widely by area, but is approximately $150-$250. or if your vet is willing to send the test to a veterinary college lab, cost can be as low as $80.
Foster Comments: I could write pages about this sweet boy but I’ll try to keep it to a paragraph. Castro is sweet, gentle, playful, and quite intelligent. He speaks 2 languages, Greek and English, and completely trained us during his time here. Are you looking for a friend, a cuddle buddy or company in the bathroom, then I suggest you apply for this boy. He must have furniture privileges in his forever home and I would prefer him to have another fur friend in the house.
Foster Location: Schaumburg, IL
Volunteer transport can be arranged in the Continental US within a 1,000-mile distance between adopters & foster home. If interstate transport is provided for your adopted dog, there will be an additional charge of $75.00 for the required Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Typically, we are able to transport your adopted dog to within 2 hours of your home. *Dogs can be adopted outside the 1000-mile transport distance; however, adopters must be willing to either fly their adopted dog, drive to a location within the 1000-mile transport range, or make independent transport arrangements for their adopted dog. Transports to far Western states, from Eastern states, may have additional restrictions.
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