IRVIN – A1090630

The first thing I thought of when I saw Irvin was “An American Tail.” The story of a little mouse (Fievel) who finds himself stranded far from his home and family (the Mousekewitzes!). Irvin is quiet as a mouse in his kennel and also just as small. At only 41 lbs he is a wisp of a boy many hearty meals short of a full belly and pounds away from strong and sturdy. At the mere sight of my leash Irvin starts to tremble with excitement eventually breaking out into a full-body wag. He’s easily leashed and we’re off for our walk and as daylight hits him I lean in for a closer look. His nails are long and overgrown, his coat dull and spotty, and there’s something belabored about his walk, his tiny hips giving him trouble. Though only 1 year-old Irwin looks to be a pup in his golden years and like Fievel he is young but his journey already long. Irwin was found by a good Samaritan running loose in New York City. Imagine the awe, wonder, and likely fear, our little mouse experienced wandering alone in the city that never sleeps. Well all of that seems to have been washed from Irvin’s mind. He trots happily next to me on our walk and when I pause to sit for a spell crawls right into my lap. I rub his frayed coat and and run my hands across his ribs, and Irvin breaks into a smile full-body wagging once again. Irvin is petite, playful, affectionate, appears to be housebroken, and showed little to no interest in other pups on our walk. Somewhere out there, beneath the pale moonlight…someone’s thinking of Irvin. I hope they find each other soon. Irvin is waiting in adoptions at Manhattan’s ACC.

PROFILE :

BASIC INFO

Irvin A1090630 is an approximately 1 year APBT.  He is being surrendered to the shelter because he was found running loose in Manhattan.  Finder placed in vehicle and brought to ACCNYC.

BEHAVIOR DURING INTAKE

Irvin allowed all handling, collaring and photos.

KNOWN HISTORY:

Unaltered, Stray

SAFER ASSESSMENT:

Look: 2. Dog pulls out of Assessor’s hands each time without settling during three repetitions.

Sensitivity: 1. Dog leans into the Assessor, eyes soft or squinty, soft and loose body, open mouth.

Tag: 2. Dog is not fearful, but is unresponsive to the Assessor, and approaches the Assessor at the end of the game He is focused on stimuli other than the Assessor.

Squeeze 1/2: 1. Dog gently pulls back his paw.

Toy: 1. Minimal interest in Toy, dog may smell and/or lick, then turns away.

Summary: Irvin showed no concerning behaviors during his assessment.

PLAYGROUP:

When introduced off leash to another dog in the care center, Irvin displays intently sexually motivated behavior, he does briefly reciprocate interest when solicited with play.  However, Irvin’s ultimate intent remains on attempting to mount. Irvin arrived into our care as a stray so there is no available history of previous interaction with other dogs and it is unknown how his behavior around dogs will translate into a home setting.  The behavior team feels that he should require in-depth consultation on the behaviors observed in our care center and slow introduction with any resident dogs in a future home.

MEDICAL BEHAVIOR:

Irvin was a observed to a bit tense/nervous during his initial examination though allowed all handling to be conducted without issues.

ENERGY LEVEL:

RECOMMENDATIONS: Average (Suitable for an adopter with an Average amount of dog experience)