gus

Meet Gus, a 4 year old 65 lb Lab mix who is SO ready to be your best friend furever!!

Gus LOVES meeting new people (which you’d never know was one of his biggest fears when first rescued!), going on road trips, and sunbathing! Now that he has worked through most of his past trauma he is the best, most chill housemate, and he loves to go on outings to coffee shops and restaurants. As much as he likes to do fun things, he also likes to snuggle and nap! Gus also loves to be groomed and is VERY treat motivated. He is crate and house trained, knows basic commands, and loose leash walks like a pro! We can’t believe he’s been waiting THREE YEARS to be adopted!

Please read his tearjerking rescue story below, and consider adopting the goodest boy ever, Mister Gus!!

Sweet Gus was rescued with his brother from a barn in Barstow on Christmas Eve '22. They were found along with several other dogs who had been abused and neglected. Gus particularly had deep cuts and scars all over his sweet face, from a lifetime of abuse and defending his brother from the larger dogs. And yet, these boys wanted so badly to trust those rescuing them. Who could blame them for being afraid at first?

We originally wanted to keep the brothers together, but it was proving to be more detrimental than helpful for them. They were so unhealthily codependent that our trainer said it was like they were “sharing a brain.” Gus' brother was quickly adopted, and when they separated that was tough on Gus for the first few weeks. His foster didn't have the patience to help him through it with at home training, so he went to board and train to work on his fears and separation anxiety. He waited there for over a year and a half before he finally found a committed foster home and he’s been doing wonderful, almost like he’s a completely new dog!

Gus has come such a long way in his journey. He's been working very hard with his trainer for over 2 years now! He is the star of every adoption event he attends, giving every person who passes a big smile and wiggle, and 99% of the time he is successful in calling them to him for pets and scratches! Everyone says the same thing “He’s so perfect, how is he not adopted?” We don’t know either!!

Gus is a mellow guy who would love a mellow pawrent/family to love him fur the rest of his days. He does well with other calm dogs (No huskies or large energetic dogs), and while he has worked hard on his impulse control on chasing small animals, no cats. He has loved meeting kids at adoption events and we feel confident he would do well in a home with older calm kids who are able to understand a dogs boundaries. Apply to adopt him today!
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