Gatsby 16-189TD [1]

Welcome to Gatsby all the way from Turkey! This little peanut has been through a lot in his young life but is such a sweetheart that just wants to be loved. Gatsby is estimated at about 8 months old and is very small at 28#. The poor little guy was rescued from a shelter in Izmir when he was very sick. He spent a couple days in a private veterinary hospital on IV fluids for severe dehydration, diarrhea, and emaciation. He arrived in America still a bit thin and unfortunately, with fleas. He has been successfully treated for fleas at this time. 

Gatsby had his first vet visit yesterday and is an overall healthy boy. He is neutered already and besides a booster in 3 weeks for a vaccine, is all up to date and microchipped. We are waiting for the results on his heartworm and tick-borne disease tests. He does have a small sore on his elbow that we are keeping an eye on to make sure it wasn't an abscess. I had shaved it over the weekend for easier cleaning and I think it looks better already. 

Gatsby picks up on stuff very fast and responds well to praise and treats. Because he is on the thinner side, I've been feeding him smaller meals but multiple times a day. He now runs right to his crate when coming in from outside because he knows he'll either get treats or a meal! He's quiet in his crate and hasn't had any accidents, good boy! Some of the other dogs he traveled with were having some stomach problems with bad diarrhea and vomiting. Gatsby hasn't had any diarrhea and has only vomited twice after drinking water too fast.He has already learned how great tennis balls are and is a natural retriever that will bring the ball back to be thrown again. He also loves rolling in the grass and chewing sticks :)

Because he had fleas, I haven't had him around my resident dogs to look for any resource guarding he may do but will do introductions tonight. I do not have cats but he does chase squirrels and anything that moves outside so may have a higher prey drive. Gatsby can be pretty nervous or skittish with fast movements or loud noises but recovers quickly. For this reason, my initial thought is that a home with older kids may be better but that could change, I've only had him a couple days. He has quite a bit of tartar and gingivitis on his teeth for a young pup but I'm not surprised as a staple in diet in Turkey is bread so he hasn't had anything to cause friction from chewing to clean them. I may try to brush his teeth in the next couple days; if it's as easy as his nail trim, it'll be a piece of cake. He kind of becomes a limp noodle and did it for his exam at the vet too! He just wants to be petted and any attention is good attention, even when it involves poking and prodding by the vet :)

I'll update more once I get to know the little nugget but he will make some lucky family extremely happy, I can tell already! Gatsby will be at Goldzilla on Sunday , feel free to come meet the sweetest pup there!