Rusty – Chocolate Male X, 1 year, 50 lbs.
Say hello to Rusty, who is barely a year old and just as cute as can be! He probably is not technically 100% Labrador Retriever, but we think he is pretty close. Rusty was picked up as a stray and not claimed by his previous owners. The poor little guy was so scared that the shelter worker had to hold his face to look toward the camera for his mug shot. That’s when the Defenders of Dogs at the Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno swooped in and rescued him.
Rusty was very timid when we met him at the animal shelter, but he did not react with aggression. After spending a few weeks with our amazing fosters, he has come out of his shell and his darling personality absolutely shines! He is a typical happy Lab puppy. He does zoomies by himself or with the other family dogs. He loves his wading pool. He enjoys all kinds of toys and is learning how to play fetch. He has learned “sit”, “down”, and has been crate-trained and house-trained. Leash training is a work in progress and needs refinement, but he is interested in exploring the world around him and meeting new people. He loves attention and cuddles from anyone😊. He is both treat- and toy-motivated so further training should be a breeze. Judging on our past experience, we find Rusty to be smart and a quick learner. He has lived with children ages 1, 3 and 12, big dogs, a cat and a rabbit. We think it’s safe to say that Rusty will get along with other dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, livestock, and people of all ages provided that proper introductions are made.
Rusty is not a big fan of car rides yet – after all, his only recent experiences in the car are riding in an animal control vehicle to a scary shelter and then picked up by LRRF and taken to the vet & his foster home. However, if his family takes the time to introduce him with shorter rides to fun places, along with lots of love and rewards during the drive, we think he will enjoy car rides, too.
Of course, Rusty has been neutered, microchipped, and is up to date on all vaccinations. He is such a gentle sweetie and his foster family has loved watching him blossom in their care – it is such a special experience to help a frightened dog feel confident and free to be their true selves. If you approach Rusty with patience and care, you will be rewarded with the sweetest, most fun-loving, loyal best friend you could ever hope for! If you would like to make Rusty a member of your family, apply to adopt today.
