Featured Animal

Bastrop
Anatolian Shepherd / Mixed (short coat)

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When Bandit was picked up by Animal Control in rural Oklahoma, he was almost completely feral. He acted like a dog who had never had any interactions with humans -- he wasn't aggressive at all, but he definitely had ZERO trust for humans and did everything possible to avoid being touched or handled. Over many months of work, we earned his trust, and he began to act as though he actually ENJOYED interacting with us.

Once Bandit reached the point where he could be handled without causing him too much stress, we took care of his veterinary needs and then moved him to a foster home where he could learn more about being a house pet. He learned to walk very nicely on a leash, and he even does well walking on a coupler with another dog. He prefers sleeping in a crate at night, and happily puts himself to bed at the end of each day.

Bandit gets along really well with other dogs, and is very playful. He doesn't discriminate either -- he plays with dogs of all sizes and ages, and plays with just as many male dogs as female. He has learned to tolerate grooming, and we think he actually enjoys being brushed, which is a good thing, considering his beautiful, plush coat. When our chores are done and we sit on the sofa in the evening, Bandit is often the first one to come and sit next to us and nudge our hand with his nose to ask for some attention. He has definitely come a VERY long way from the frightened, feral dog we picked up in January of 2018. Working with dogs like this takes lots of time and patience, but the rewards are immeasurable.

Bandit is still shy on meeting new people, but he definitely warms up. He does best when he has at least one other dog around who is confident/trusting of humans, because he will follow their cues. And besides, he really likes playing with another dog, so is just happier when he has a companion. If you have a friendly dog who needs a great playmate, and you are ready to commit to spending 2-3 months earning Bandit's trust, please visit our website to learn more about our adoption process and complete an application: https://www.bluebonnetrescue.org/info/adoption