Foster notes, 12/5/23:
Rockafella is a good boy. He is a senior guy who has done well to meet and continue to greet the neighborhood children. He is anxious around unknown people and pets. So far, I have been unable to do much about his dislike of cats. It seems to be one of the only things that set him off. He takes 2 walks per day (am and pm), and gets to go out off leash in the back yard as often as he asks. He is arthritic in his joints and cannot jump, so he doesn't get on the house furniture because of this. I have a ramp for him to get in the car. He doesn't seem to mind riding in the car. He does get anxious about first time adventures. He does not know how to play with toys, but he will sit for a long time for a good petting. He is a smart dog and a fast learner at most times (except for cats). No house training was required for Rockafella! He knows 'come' and will ask to go out. I find his behaviors easy to read when he needs or wants something. He is a quiet dog and barks only at cats, alerts me that he wants to come in, and at unknown strangers and reactive dogs on our walks. He has learned to ignore and walk past yappy dogs in our neighborhood. He does not pull on leash and is mostly a loose leash walker (slow to medium pace). I've had no problems leaving him at home alone for up to 4 hours. He likes to go out as soon as I get home. The only time he has gotten into things - he was hungry and was rooting for food. And that was only the first week I had him. Can't leave bagged dogfood on the floor where he can get to it! He sleeps all through the night.

He is developing cataracts. He can see but not clearly at a distance . He will stand and stare at something. If it moves he may lunge after it. If it doesn't move, he will move on. This can be funny when he stares at a bag or toy, only to discover it isn't a cat he's looking at. He also will miss verbal commands, so his hearing may not be 100%. He doesn't react to thunder or fireworks. His nose works fine! Rockafella would be a wonderful untrained service dog for a vet or older adult. He loves to be around me and will just either sit facing me (he wants something) or sit with his back to me
(wants to be petted). Otherwise, he is sleeping. He doesn't like to be outside for long periods.

For more information about this animal, call:
Burlington Animal Services Pet Adoption & Resource Center at (336) 578-0343