Oliver
2 years old
Basset Hound / Labrador

Hello there! I'm Oliver, such a character, sure to put a smile on your face every single day. I'm looking for a new home. A special new home, to be exact. Well, that's cause I'm a special sort of dog. I'm a two and a half year old, 44 pounds of solid love, Basset Hound/Lab mix, or Bassador, as the staff likes to call me. I like that. It fits my spunky and sweet personality.

I came to Wayside awhile back from the shelter in Hutchinson, KS. I was not happy to be here, not a bit. I just couldn't relax. I was grumpy in my kennel and very protective of all my stuff...blankets, toys, food, even people. They call it 'resource guarding'. I never had anything of my own before, so what I do have needs to be protected. This is why I'm listed as a 'special needs' dog. I will need my owner to be very diligent and consistent in training me. I will need lots of positive reinforcement, like praise and treats, as you're teaching me all about life and limits and rules. I hope you're ok with that! By the way, I think I'm mostly housetrained. I don't like to go to the bathroom in my kennel and I show people when I need to get out. Please be patient with me when we get home, but rest assured I'm well on my way!

So anyway, the Wayside staff, especially one staff member who knows who she is and who I owe so very much to, has worked tirelessly with me over the past few months to get me to where I am today. I made her, my new best friend, sad when I got here, and she vowed not to let me down, so she began patiently working with me day in and day out. And I started to come around, ever so slowly. One day on our walk, I decided I wanted to start meeting other people too. And my attitude started getting better. And my walk had a spring in its step all of a sudden. And then, before she knew it, I was excited and happy with my life. I started smiling and got playful. I decided that life was good! What a wonderful discovery!

Since that time, I've started participating in doggie play groups. I do best with the friendly, relaxed, easy going type of dogs. Hyper and crazy dogs aren't my style at all. And if you do have another dog, I'd definitely like to meet them before we go home together. I also need a home without cats, bunnies, or other small and furry animals. I love my people, but staff feels that I need a home without kids under the age of 15, because of my resource guarding issues. Kids scare me anyway, along with loud noises.

I'm a very smart boy! I already know 'sit', 'wait', 'off', 'speak', and I'm currently working on 'down'. You can feel free to teach me more cool stuff if you'd like! I love to play fetch. Love to go for walks. Love my toys. And I love to just hang out with you, enjoying a little quiet time each and every day. I will be a wonderful companion, content to do whatever you'd like, your friend always, loyal and true. I'm active and playful, yet calm and gentle and sweet. I'm such a great combination of qualities. Oh, and I'm adorable too, but you already knew that, didn't you?

Well, I hope I didn't take up too much of your time! Sometimes I get carried away when I start telling my story. I'm just happy I have a story to tell! Happy to be here this fine day, preparing for my new life to begin! And the day I become a valued part of a real family, well, that will be the happiest day of all for me! I can't wait!
Love, Oliver

Adoption fee: $125