Please welcome Duke into RAGOM!  He came all the way from Turkey and is excited to start his new life in America.

Duke is almost 2 years old, weighs 56 lbs., is neutered and up to date on his shots. He tested positive for Ehrlichia (a common tick-borne disease) during his pre-flight health exam which was administered in Turkey, and is on a 4 week course of antibiotics.  Duke has also been to the vet since his arrival to Minnesota where his red blood cell count tested low. He will go back for a follow-up test once he has completed his full course of antibiotics to make sure everything looks normal.  For this reason, Duke will not be able to be officially adopted until his test results are normal, but can start his search for his forever home.

Here are some of the highlights we have learned about Duke during his short time with us:

• He has not had any accidents in the house, and has learned from our resident dog that going to the patio door is the cue for when you need to go outside.  He will not bark or whine.
• He has had free roam of our first floor during the day while we are away (no more than 6 ½ hours) and during bedtime, without any incidents.  We have not needed to use a crate, and the one time we tried it he did not like it.
• He has a very high prey drive and therefore cannot go to a home with a cat(s).
• A physical fence (not invisible) at least 4 feet high is required due to his prey drive.  We have a 3 foot fence around our garden that he cleared while in pursuit of a squirrel.
• Walks are enjoyable with Duke as he walks very well with a Martingale collar and does not pull (unless he sees a rabbit or squirrel, then he will try and go after them and needs to be redirected).
• Children should be 8+ years of age as Duke tends to be mouthy during play.  He also likes to put his mouth around your arm as if to say “please don’t leave my side”.
• Food is something he is always in pursuit of, and is a counter surfer.
• During mealtime he inhales his food, so we switched to using a muffin tin to help slow down how fast he eats, and that has helped.
• He is a people person and enjoys snuggling on the couch and getting as much attention as he can get.
• Duke has not shown much interest in playing with our resident Golden Retriever who is 3 years old, but gets along just fine with him and just seems to prefer people.
• He considers himself a lap dog and uses the couch as his bed.

• He is discovering that toys can be quite fun.

Duke is a very sweet and mellow boy.  We feel strongly about finding a very loving home that will ensure him a lifelong commitment of providing the quality of life he so deserves.

If you think Duke would be a good fit in your home, please submit an “Inquiry for Application” form.  If you have already filled out an “Inquiry for Application” form, please send an email to applicationragom [dot] org with the dog’s name, RAGOM number, the name you submitted the “Inquiry for Application” form under along with a sentence or two why you feel you would be a good match.