This biweekly column is written by Suzanne Lawter, Director of Community Outreach for Auggie was originally rescued by a good samaritan in West Virginia who saw him wandering in the middle of the road and thankfully took action. Before the person could reach him, he was nearly hit several times by oncoming traffic. After saving him from the road, the family took him in and tried its best for many months to find him a good home.
When that didn’t happen, they knew they needed to find a rescue that could help them, so Mutts Matter stepped in.
When Auggie first came into foster care, he was understandably nervous and unsure of his new surroundings. When dogs are brought into a new foster or permanent home, they find themselves in an unfamiliar world with people they’ve never met, and they don’t yet know the rules of the home or what is expected of them. It takes every dog a little time to trust that they will be safe and cared for, fed regularly and to understand they’ve started a better life than they’ve ever known.
It took Auggie about a week or two to come out of his shell, but he has emerged as a sweet, playful pup, with a natural joy for life. His foster mom, Rachel, describes him as a happy-go-lucky dog who is all wiggles and warmth once he gets to know you. He fancies himself a lap dog too and is very cuddly and affectionate with his people.
Like most young pups, Auggie still has some things to learn. He’ll jump when he greets new people, even though he’s very gentle when he does, and initially he will need to be monitored around the house because he likes to chew on things. He’s getting better with his leash-walking skills, but may pull when he gets excited. Auggie is the type of dog you can take anywhere you go, whether it’s in the car, on walks to explore and meet the neighborhood dogs, or on a trip to the farmer’s market. He’s a great sidekick.
Rachel has started working with Auggie on basic commands like “sit,” “off,” and “down,” but he’ll need some practice. He’s already potty trained, and will let you know when he needs to go out, and he goes straight into his crate when his foster mom says the word. Auggie is confident but very respectful with other dogs, and the same way with people. He gently takes treats from your hand, and allows you to take toys or food away from him without any argument. He has a passion for food and really wants to please, so he’ll be an easy pup to train.
Auggie would do best in an active home with another young dog and possibly kids to play with. He needs daily walks and some dedicated playtime, and deserves a family who will love and cherish him for the incredibly sweet dog that he is. Because he has some hound in him, he’ll alert you to noises outside the home or folks dropping by, so an apartment or condo with thin walls and heavy traffic would not be the best fit. He’s not a constant barker, but he’ll be doing his job as the lookout for his home and family.
To learn more about Auggie, go to the Mutts Matter Adoption Page and fill out an application, or you can contact Suzanne at suzanne@muttsmatterrescue.com.
