Alf

My story

Alf ACCT-A-220076 is a 4-year-old male dog who was brought in as a stray on 5/12 by an APO. Alf came in with a trauma to his left eye, and has since gotten an enucleation to improve his quality of life. Alf has been very shy but sweet since he's arrived at the shelter and is searching for a patient person to go at his pace and fill his world with love. Although he's been unsure in the shelter environment, he's been trusting of handlers and has allowed all handling. He also takes treats so so gently! Alf is looking for a home that is preferably adult only, but is open to meeting any children in the home. Alf is ready to be the perfect companion to a lucky someone! BEHAVIOR NOTES: On 6/3 per staff:I want to start by saying I've never met a dog that takes treats gentler than Alf! His gentle nibble really melted my heart. When I went to grab him for a dog meet, Alf was scared in his kennel and didn't want to move from his bed. He had his bowl right under his head, so I didn't wanna reach over him in case of resource guarding. I moved his bed a little bit towards the door, and that encouraged him to get up and walk towards me for leashing! He walked slowly/nervously on the leash through the kennels. He needed some encouragement to get outside and continued to be nervous once out. He did do a long pee a few seconds after getting out so he may trying to stay house broken! Alf and Cheddar both slowly sniffed around the yard for a few minutes before Alf finally went to sniff him. Neither of them were too interested in interacting but did well when close to each other! Alf did not take treats from me at first, but eventually started taking them more gentle then I've ever seen. Under his shy shell he is such a sweet baby! I had no issues walking him back inside or returning him to his kennel. He seems apprehensive with new things/people and sudden movements so he would appreciate someone who can take things slow. He deserves all the patience and love in the world! On 5/29 per volunteer: Alf in iso2, had his left eye removed Friday (I think Friday). He was really out of it Friday and Sunday didn’t seem to be eating and still just laying in his bed, I told the med tech Sunday who was going to have one of the care attendants help her and she was going to let medical know. Alf last night is now in a crate, although did lift his head for me last night and ate some pieces of hotdogs (food bowl empty so he ate) and although wouldn’t come out of the crate for me , he did seem a bit perkier…he is gold. He really could use someone spending a little time with him. On 5/13 per staff: Kennel Presentation Easy to leash/social Presented toward the middle of the kennel and was curious upon opening the door: lowered posture, ears up, soft eye, did some bobbing, slow circling, appearing unsure. I closed him on one side of the kennel and looped him up easily. Behaviorally smooth exit, but did take a bit of a tumble coming out (depth perception may not be at 100%) Leash Skills Pulls Minimally On Leash Lagged behind me a bit in the kennels, but for the most part, stayed close to my side. Same once outdoors. Slow, meandering walk; sniffed about a little in the yard and found a couple places to sit (still hunched, generally soft, timid) before we went inside to get out of the rain. Hesitated a little getting back into kennel, but hopped in after I fully stepped in. Handleability Tense/Allows all handling In the volunteer office, I sat in a chair and he sat next to me, leaning heavily against my leg. After a slow approach, accepted pets on the head, shoulders, and back. Didn't attempt rigorous, full-on handling test but he didn't give me any indications of discomfort or appeasement (no hard stares, lip licks, etc). If anything his eyes softened and he appeared to relax into the handling. Allowed me to wrap him in a blanket once he was back on his kuranda bed in-kennel. Tag Did not attempt Toys Did not attempt Color Level Gold Experienced Golds. Behavior's surely affected by medication, but such as it is, handlers taking a gentle approach should have no issues. On 5/12 per staff: Very calm but afraid, no signs of aggression. MEDICAL NOTES: On 5/20 per exam: Alf has been observed to have shelter acquired upper respiratory infection (URI), or a "doggy cold". They have been started on medication, and will be monitored for resolution of the respiratory infection. PCR tested & came back positive for pneumovirus. Placed into ISO. On 5/14 per exam: Plan: OS will require enucleation ASAP to improve dog's QOL. On 5/12 per intake exam: Staff said Alf has an injured eye from some type of trauma. T OS is blood shot , with some effort of moving , resp rate has some effort , mm pink , pulse quality normal. Weight: 61.4 lbs Body Condition Score: 4 - Lean Temperature: 101.7°F Heart rate: 130 bpm Respiratory rate: 30 bpm Mm color: Pink Mm touch: Slightly dry Hydration: Normal Attitude: QAR Pain: Mild Eyes: OS appears to have hyphema present, severe subconjunctival hemorrhage and scleral swelling/edema. No PLR or menace noted OS, Pt likely has no vision on that side. Full ophth exam np'd Cannot r/o peri-ocular disease. OD appears with NSF. Ears: AU clean Nose/Mouth/Dental: clear nasal d/c , minimal-mild calculus build up Cardiovascular: Muffled heart sounds per Dr ES. Respiratory: some effort Urogenital: male intact Musculoskeletal: Ambulatory x 4 and no limp noted although pt prefers to lie down when possible Neurological: Pt is mentally dull but responsive, hesitant to get up and walk. No pain is elicited on cervical ROM but Pt is clearly hesitant to permit movement. No pain elicited on spinal palpation, muscle fasciculation present over entire dorsum. Marked decreased proprioception on L hind. Pt also noted to dribble some urine although bladder doesn't feel large Integument: WNL overall no wounds or injuries noted Assessment: Unable to find any underlying condition ATT to explain exam findings. OS will most likely need to be removed at some point. Per Dr ES, cannot r/o bacterial meningoencephalitis vs abscess behind vs trauma to OS vs other. pt initially not interested in high value treats but afterwards ate canned food well. Plan: Gaba, Buprenex, Carprofen and Amoxi-clav; Ofloxocin OS followed by Optixcare 5 minutes after. Rads, VX, barrier. Recheck in AM +/- bloodwork. VIDEOS: Alf and Cheddar Meet: https://youtube.com/shorts/4qpqiG4zaPA?feature=share Alf in kennel https://youtu.be/pZKtZE6cEoY ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details. If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/ Confirmed placement is considered confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly’s Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313

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