Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Not good with kids,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
**$105 in pledges to any rescue that may pull!**
**New Notes 3/30!**
Fluffy Buddy ACCT-A-214744 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to length of stay and lack of space for incoming dogs. Fluffy Buddy must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER or SHEPHERD-EXPERIENCED ADOPTER by WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2ND at 10AM. Should Fluffy Buddy’s medical or behavioral status change, her urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Fluffy Buddy is a sensitive soul who needs time, patience, and understanding to feel truly comfortable. In her kennel, she can be reactive—but outside of that stressful environment, she starts to show her true personality. Once outside Fluffy Buddy walks well and allows all handling. However, she isn’t one to immediately seek affection—it takes her a bit to warm up. Given time and space, she’ll eventually make her way over, pressing her head into your hands and leaning in for gentle face rubs. Fluffy Buddy was found by police tied to a tree on March 9tth. She’s nervous around new people and unfamiliar surroundings, so she’ll need a rescue or shepherd-experienced adopter with no kids who understands that trust with her is built slowly. She joined playgroup twice and was able to coexist with the other dogs, but didn't show much interest. Due to her length of stay, Fluffy Buddy is looking for a rescue or shepherd-experienced adopter that will let her move at her own pace and help her gain confidence in the world.
VIDEOS:
Petting FB: https://youtu.be/lrKv_rP53VY
3/28 Fluffy Buddy, Ellie, and Uncle Billy Baby: https://youtu.be/CUw9jMGRUH4
3/10 Fluffy Buddy in Playgroup: https://youtu.be/9NCXHaWJuX4
BEHAVIOR:
Per staff 3/30/25: Dog was excellent for her recheck exam today! She allowed all over handling and enjoyed pets and interaction w/ all the people in the room.
Per Volunteer 3/28/25: She was laying on her bed in the kennel when I approached. She didn’t immediately get up, but was just looking at me. Once I started opening the door, she calmly got up, stretched, and came towards me. Very easy to leash and actually very nice on leash! Didn’t pull much even though she’s a big girl and was very gentle. Definitely avoidant outside- wasn’t soliciting attention from me. Typical shepherd where she’s not very handler oriented. Doesn’t seem to have any interest in treats. Gave her some pets which she took just fine and seemed to be comfortable around me by the end! Remained panting the whole time we were outside. No issues returning to kennel- seems to have some back leg weakness as she struggled to get her back legs into kennel.
Per staff 3/28: When Fluffy Buddy was getting out for playgroup she allowed me to pet her. Overall, she seemed less nervous than the previous time I interacted with her (which was her first time out at playgroup).
Per staff 3/20: Sweet, good on walk.
Per staff 3/16: I have taken Fluffy Buddy out on multiple occasions throughout her stay. In her kennel she is quite reactive, biting the leashing, pulling it in, baring teeth and air snapping. From the first attempt leashing her, I have gotten comfortable and used to how to secure her using a side loop lasso. Once secured she comes right out and due to our extended times together she has gotten pretty used to me. She allows all handling and although she is tolerant it consistently takes her over 20 minutes to solicit affection from me. I let her be and walk around and when she wants to come up, she'll stick by my side, push her head into my hands and side and allow me to rub her face. She is nervous of people and her surroundings and needs lots of time and patience. She has never taken food or treats from me, so space was my best option in gaining her trust. Once that trust is built, she is a sweet heart.
There were some struggles with her PCR as the medical team tried on multiple occasion. I was able to get her out, I let her roam around the exam room while the nurse and I spoke and ignored her. She came to me to solicit, I let her sniff the muzzle and the nurse was able to put the muzzle on her as I held her close to me. She did a half snap back with her mouth closed and gave a low growl warning but calmed down quickly as we secured it around her. She was just very scared but extremely tolerant of us both. She shut down and allowed me to take off her muzzle and pushed her body into me for comfort.
Per volunteer 3/11: She was a bit tense when I approached kennel. Went to leash and she attempted to bite my leash so I left her alone.
Per staff 3/11:
KENNEL PRESENTATION: Fluffy Buddy was at the front of his bed hard barking , baring teeth and air snapping. I know his behavior and how to leash him based on previous leasing and threw a large loop and secured it as I opened the door for him to exit. He snapped at the leash as it went on his neck but calmed down once he exited.
LEASH SKILLS: Pulls minimally
HANDLING: In the room, Fluffy Buddy was avoidant, hard staring and had a tucked low tail. He walked around the room giving hard eye contact as he approached me and would walk away when I looked away from him. I kept my distance so he would be comfortable with my presence and wait for him to approach as I would walk away and look away from him. I offered some treats but he hard stared with a tight mouth so i dropped the treat and faced away. He continued this behavior of showing me how uncomfortable he was for about 16 minutes before I attempted handling and he was tolerant but showed lots of signals that he was uncomfortable like tight mouth, lip licking, ears pinned back, and hard stares but remained b y my side the entire time or in my lap. He was uncomfortable but was trying his hardest to be brave and warm up. I let him be for awhile again and he came up soliciting for affection from me, continuously pushing his head and side into my hands and legs. He allowed me to handle him pretty consistently and decided to make better choices when uncomfortable (walking away).
PLAY: No interest
TOYS: No interest
Per staff 3/10: In playgroup, Fluffy Buddy was avoidant and nervous, but was also curious about the other dogs. She was tolerant and followed the calmer dogs around.
Per staff 3/9: Was very calm in the lobby, allowed pets on the head and kept nudging with her nose when you would stop petting.
Per police 3/9: Black big dog tied to tree and abandoned on the highway. According to passerby dog has been there since 6pm 3/8/25. Friendly. Scared.
MEDICAL:
On 3/12, Fluffy Buddy was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection (URI) or "doggy cold" and started on medication. She behaviorally wasn’t able to be tested for pneumovirus until 3/14 and she came back positive. She finished her medication on 3/25 and tested negative on 3/26.
Per staff 3/10: Attempted examining patient for reported LHL lameness. Patient lunged when attempting to retrieve for exam. Prescribed gabapentin 400 mg PO BID and trazodone 100 mg PO BID for anxiolysis and potential facilitation of exam at a future date, if possible.
Per staff 3/9: PT presented into intake as 7yr FI German shepherd mix. Upon exam PT was BAR but did notice some struggle with walking and sitting. PT did have old sores on legs, and seemed timid but allowed vaccines and chip to be done. Mouth/Teeth/Gums - pink moist severe yellow staining and tartar. Skin - dry slightly flaky.
