Gambit and Charlie

It's time I did some website write ups for Gambit and Charlie and below is what I've come up with so far for Gambit.  I really need some good pictures of Charlie still.  I took both of them, plus Max and Ochie, to a VGSR adoption event in Gainesville on Sunday.  People thought Max was marginally better, so the new medication may be having some beneficial effect.  It was Gambit's first adoption event and he was a bit confused by it all but he took it all in and handled himself very well.  He met a baby, small child, and a chihuahua and did very well with all of them.  Charlie met a family that might be interested in him.  We will see what comes out of it, but it was at least somewhat encouraging.

Gambit is probably 7 - 9 years old and he's a good old boy.  He's house trained and crate trained and well-mannered indoors.  He lives with 7 other dogs in his foster home and gets along with everyone except one who is a high energy, neurotic mess.  Gambit is personable and friendly with people, and based on experience at his first adoption event, he seems to be good with children and small dogs too. Gambit loves to play fetch and he's good at it.  If you throw a ball for him, he will run after it, bring it back, and toss it at your feet to throw again.

 

Gambit doesn't run too fast these days though, his legs and back end are beginning to fail him.  He's got some hip displasia as well as some arthritis that has advanced to the point of fusing a few of his vertebrae.  Gambit is not down for the count, however.  He still climbs the flight of stairs to the second floor of his foster home where the humans and most of the dogs sleep.  He still plays fetch and does most everything he ever did, but at a slower pace.  He doesn't appear to be in pain, but we have started him on a NSAID medication to make him more comfortable.

Mostly Gambit just likes to be near his person for companionship, and isn't that most of what we really want from a dog?  I can tell you that there is no love and devotion like the love of an older dog.  Gambit will be a great dog for a less active person, and if people would be honest with themselves, that's what most of us are.  Alternatively, an active household that wants a dog but can't handle another high energy member might be a good home for him because he's a mellow fellow.  Mostly what Gambit needs is someone who needs him and will provide for him, no heroic or invasive measures, just what is needed to keep him happy and comfortable.  This is a nice dog, he deserves it.