Killian

Killian has been full of surprises since he joined our family.  When we were interviewed by the Ragom home visitor, she asked the standard question, ”What would you do if you found Killian on your kitchen table?”  My response was, “ I would hope he didn’t eat my beta fish.”   Well, I think that Killian was listening carefully.  Within the first week in our home, my husband came home to find Killian standing on the kitchen table.  He did eat all of the beta food, but did not eat the fish!

Now that I am home for the summer, we will work on the manners.  I am training him to sleep on the floor with his blanket, greet visitors in a calm manner, and to not growl while eating. Killian already knew most standard commands upon his adoption.  I am delighted that he arrived knowing to ‘Come’ when called.

Progress is being made on treating Killian’s allergies and ear infections.  He behaves nicely as I administer the 3 different ear meds twice daily. He will patiently sit and wait for his treat… even if I get distracted. 

It is obvious that Killian trusts and loves people.  He is delighted when we come home from work.  He is ecstatic when a visitor stops by.  Killian enjoys his daily walks and trips to the off-leash dog park.  He is always pumped for a car ride.  Over these past hot days, I found Killian sleeping on his back, feet in the air, nose pointed towards the window, and belly being cooled by the overhead fan.  Life is good for Killian.

With Killian’s fun personality and enjoyment of life, it must have been difficult for the original owner to have surrendered Killian.  We want to thank him for this special dog who brings lots of laughs and love into our home.

I am very happy to report that Killian Is a very lucky boy and has found a wonderful new forever home.  He will be living with three very loving people and getting lots of attention.  His new family also has lots of experience with allergies and ear infections from previous dogs that they have owned and will be able to help him with his allergies.  Congratulations Killian.  We are very happy for you.

To clear up Killian’s allergy flare-up, he was put on a regime of Prednisone which is a steroid.  While the Prednisone did its job – his feet are no longer infected, he’s not scratching all the time and his ears aren’t as inflamed – Prednisone has its side effects.  It makes a dog voraciously hungry and thirsty.  I couldn’t stand to watch Killian feel so obsessive about food and water, and we are weaning him off the Prednisone.  He’s down to ½ tablet every other day and so far hasn’t started up the scratching again.  We do give him two Benadryl in the morning and two at night to keep things under control as he comes off the Prednisone.

During this time period, I petted Killian while he was eating and he froze, looked at me and snarled.  We will try this again after he’s off the Prednisone and not so voraciously hungry.  We will also start walking by his dish and dropping good things in (chicken, hot dogs, etc.) so he learns that a human approaching his food bowl is a positive thing.   Because of the snarl, I’d like to see him go to a home with no children under the age of 10.  The behavior could be the result of the side effect of the Prednisone and he did give me a very nice warning signal, but kids don’t watch warning signals, and I’ll feel more comfortable adopting him to a home without young children.  I have had no issues taking away toys when asked and he doesn’t chew on inappropriate items so just letting him eat for sixty seconds and he’s done, does seem to be the easiest.

Killian is a total love bug.  He loves being petted, being by your side, playing with toys, getting in the car to go places.  He still hasn’t tried getting on the couch or the bed and sleeps quietly through the night.  He has free run of the house when no one is home.  It’s rather refreshing to have such an easy foster boy. 

Killian will be attending the RAGOM event at PetCo on Saturday from 12:30 to 3:30 and would love to meet you. He’s bringing his foster brother, a little Pom/Spitz mix to show him that people aren’t so scary.