Anybody want a cool dog?

No, I'm not pawning one of mine off in an act of frustration - though I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been tempted in the past.

Rather suddenly, we came to be fostering a new pooch that we helped a friend rescue from a bad chain/stray/neglect situation. This went from talking about it on Saturday night to me with a new dog at my feet tonight. Given the scenario he came from (subfreezing temps all last week with no real shelter, for instance), he's incredibly cool. He was skittish around people, especially big males like me, for about an hour before started to open up and get more comfortable.

I'm pretty sure he'd never so much as been inside before tonight, and given that he's doing incredibly well. His only problems are attempts to mark inside and an obsession with our male dog, both of which I presume stem from being un-fixed, which we intend to, well, fix ASAP.

This new guy is a border collie/pit mix (that's our best guess - he's diluted enough to really just be a mutt), about a year old and about 45#, though he needs to put on about 10# to get to a healthy weight. The way he's scarfing food, that shouldn't be a problem.

So, anybody within reasonable distance of St. Louis need a pooch who promises to be exceedingly cool with a little patience?

A few more pics in this album - I'll be updating with more shots tomorrow when I can get him with a real camera in the daylight.

Oh yeah: his old "owners" called him Toby*, so we're calling him Kunta Kinte.

*Coincidentally, Toby is the name we gave to a little mutt we scraped off the highway in Tennessee 15 years ago, who had been dumped in the woods, tried to cross the interstate and got hit, crushing his pelvis. We stopped (and stopped traffic), picked him up and rushed him to the nearest vet open on a Sunday afternoon in Chatanooga. $3k worth of major surgery later we had an 8# dog that would balance on his front legs to eat; he lived a spoiled existence with my parents until last year.

Oh yeah: his old "owners" called him Toby*, so we're calling him Kunta Kinte.

Lol. Awesome. Related: What did my E36 M3 tard neighbors who leave their dogs outside get for Christmas??? Survey says: A berkeleyING PUPPY! Yeeeeaaahhh! If anyone wants a pile of barky freezing to death dogs, lmk.

Dude, you've nearly reached PETA status.....but I understand. Both my German shepherds were "rescued"......the oldest was a stray on deaths doorstep(she's been my protector and companion since that day), and the youngest was the proverbial Xmas puppy that grew up too fast and started knocking over the family's 4yo. As German Shepherds rarely are adopted from the pound, I took him in. Hopefully someone can take the little guy in.

the fixing will help with the marking as well. My big recuse dog had the same issue when I got him years ago.

STL is kinda far, we've been "casually looking". Haven't had a dog since Ruvus, it's time....

Transport relays can happen. With all the people on this message board, shouldn't be too hard to get him to you.

Those bricks on your patio look familiar.

We were talking about another dog last night, so i sent the link to my wife. See what she thinks. Doubtful though.

ddavidv wrote: Transport relays can happen. With all the people on this message board, shouldn't be too hard to get him to you.

^ This. I'm a member of quite a few rescue relay groups so if it needs to happen I can put the word out and get transporters lined up.

That is one seriously cute dog.

Trade for this:

http://newlondon.craigslist.org/cto/3548787246.html

72 Mercedes 250C wants Camper/Puppy (East Lyme, CT) Date: 2013-01-15, 8:18PM EST 4k26f-3548787246@sale.craigslist.org[?] 1972 Mercedes 250C 2dr -does not start-restoration or almost complete vehicle for parts. Wants pop-up camper good shape, no leaks. Or sm/med puppy with first shots & certificate for spayed or neutered. Many thanks.

Damn. STL is close, and I have been thinking about another dog, to keep the other dog company. That's a dangerous line of thinking, though. Before I know it I'll be getting a horse.

I can likely* aid with transport from STL to Chicago or Indianapolisish with enough warning. I charge in beer.

*Subject to reffing, work, and family schedules.

For somebody on this board, I'd drive him 200-ish miles from STL.

This may be a scenario where you have to hurry before we want to keep him...

If its a matter of transport coming east I'm good for a 200-300 mile radius from Philly. Fill in the gaps as needed.

I've been in herding dog rescue for a few years. I'd say he's all staffie breed. Either an Am Staff or just plan Staffordshire. They tend to run smaller than the American Staffordshire. If he were more of a BC mix I'd expect a heavier and longer coat. I'd also expect a more pointed and aerodynamic head. Not to mention the BC odd ball behavior. I'm convinced it's from packing too much intelligence into a dog brain. The outcome can be a bit manic and neurotic in a really funny way.

My guess is he's young and a bit thin so he doesn't have quite that pit muscle build yet. Without seeing his teeth I'd guess you're right on with his age. He might be a bit younger but only by a few months or so.

If you need to move this guy some distance...check our Pilots and Paws. Those guys have helped out the ACDRA, Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Assoc., quite a few times just for fun. Good group there.

Yeah, my guess at BC was only due to his coloring, and his head is actually a fair bit pointier than it looks in the pictures. His coat is actually relatively long compared to pits, too. Whatever's in there, it's diluted enough that he's pretty much just a mutt.

And yeah, the doc guessed about a year, but I'm actually thinking a bit younger. He still has that kind of puppy-ish quality in the way he runs/plays/moves. Fortunately, aside from filling out by 10# or so, I don't think he's going to get a whole lot bigger.

Good deed to you OP. Our rescue Saluki came from Kuwait where his collar had to be surgically removed from his neck. He had somehow managed to get free from his chain/rope and was found running around the streets then got hit by a car. The rescue org had been trying to get him for two weeks. Nothing worse to me than a dog left out all the time on a chain/rope. We have a situation near us here that is trending that way. Beagle being left outside. It's Vermont and COLD people!

Best of luck finding the new guy a home. Good Karma your way.

Good luck, I my self am too far away and in no position to take on a dog, despite how much I would love to.

I could help get him through Ohio with some notice.