Marvin

My story

Marvin is a very sweet dog. He is approximately 1 and a half years old and weighs approximately 50 lbs. He is a very loving, gentle soul, who will steal your heart from the moment you meet him. Regardless of the treatment Marvin received in his previous life, he has remained gentle, loving and affectionate with everyone. Marvin is the first dog posted from Ugly Mutts International Project #2. Marvin had been thrown off a cliff and luckily someone had caught it on video and sent it to the shelter. A team of rescuers when out in search of Marvin in the area where he was thrown and eventually they were able to find him and bring him to safety. Here is what Marvin’s foster family had to say about him: Marvin is a big cuddle bug and he won’t let an opportunity to get rubs or snuggles pass him by. He is sweet, calm, trusting and patient. He’s a little underweight and has a couple of hot-spots that are being treated, but other than that, he seems in excellent health. Even his teeth are beautiful! He’s a low to moderate energy pup. He loves his walks and wandering around the yard, but is happy to just be around his people. If we sit down to watch tv, he curls up and goes right to sleep. He seems like an old soul, but I think judging by his teeth he’s probably about 1 or 2. He is shedding a fair bit, but some of that could be the change in environment and stress. He’s a shorter haired dog so will shed, but regular brushing will help. He has loved absolutely everyone he’s met. Sunday we had 11 people over for dinner (including some kids) and he was PERFECT!! We’ve had him at the pet store and in the community and lots of people in and out. On occasion he’s been a bit quiet at first, but once he sees us or our dog happy he’s right in there! He’d do well with a family who has ample time to spend with him. He really just loves us humans. I think he’d do well with kids that are dog savvy. Because he’s so big, it’s possible he’d knock little ones over in his excitement. He’s shown no resource guarding or growling, etc. at all. I’ve taken his food away mid meal. He’s shown no aggressive tendencies in any situation. He’s so easy going with our dog. When he gets a bit much (she’s used to being the only spoiled pup in the house) our dog will growl and he immediately stops what he’s doing and moves on. If I take ours out and leave him home, he greets her with big licks when we get back. There are no cats in the home but Marvin does not appear to have any prey drive. Marvin likes to be in on whatever we are doing, and just follows us around happily. He is so responsive to correction and loves everyone…there’s not a mistrusting bone in his body. He’s very quiet in the home, (even when people at the door, dogs barking in the neighbourhood, etc.). The only time I’ve heard him bark was when he woke up out of a sound sleep to the sound of a lot of dogs barking on the tv. He stopped immediately when I corrected him. He’s very food motivated so counter surfing is a thing. He’s already gotten better, though, and if he does get excited and jump up he responds quickly to ‘no’ or ‘off’. He knew nothing when he arrived but has mastered sit, is pretty close to getting paw and knows the word ‘outside’. He had an accident the very first morning, but no problem since. Because there’s been someone home a lot of the time and they love it outside, he hasn’t really needed to request to go out, but I’m certain he’d grasp it easily. He’s very bright. We are using a crate, but he really does not enjoy it. The longest he’s been in so far is about 5 hours. He will whine when first put in the crate but he does settle. If he was on his own here I’d probably leave him out as long as there wasn’t anything he could get into. He walks well on leash, but does pull a bit, but that’s easily corrected with treats. He’s pretty good at sitting at all curbs before crossing the street, too. We have had an issue with him jumping our fence and trying to follow us when one of us leave. We have resorted to putting him on a tie-out to ensure this doesn’t happen again. He is very interested in being with people and he may try to go with you if he has a chance. We have only had him out in the car on one short trip but he seemed fine and relaxed. Marvin is a very special dog. Despite his story of hardship, he’s sweet, affectionate, trusting and incredibly smart. He would do best in a home with people who had lots of time to spend with him. I have no doubt he’d make a perfect hiking buddy, a partner in adventure, best friend for another easy going dog, or solo dog in the house ready to curl up at your feet at the end of a fun filled day. He’s truly just too sweet for words. He’d do well with other easy going dogs in the house, older kids (he just doesn’t know his size and doesn’t really get the idea of personal space) or as the solo, spoiled pup. He is very smart and will do best with a family that will keep him active and busy and included. If you think Marvin would be a good fit and would like to make him a part of your family, please visit our main website at http://www.uglymuttsdogrescue.com and submit an adoption application.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Marvin, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.