nick

Age: 9 years old Sex: Male Breed: Lab Weight: 60 pounds Good In Home With: Dogs, Kids

Old St. Nick, a day in the life... 

Nick sleeps like a baby through the night, either in his crate or on a dog bed in the bedroom. You have to wake him up by tapping on his paw, and he also loves being woken up by his foster sister to start the day. He sleeps so soundly he has no idea what time it is when you wake him up—it could be an early 5am weekday walk or a 9:30am weekend sleep-in and he is just happy to see you again. He walks about 2 miles every morning at a very nice walking pace: he doesn’t have prey drive or care about little Chicago animals, and you can walk by other dogs separated by your body within a few feet and he is interested but is ok with only looking. He enjoys sniffing everything he can, especially trees and bushes. He LOVES water and his food. He gets sooo excited while you’re making his food and has to make sure you’re adding all the goodies on top of the boring kibble. He hangs out in the kitchen if you’re in there, not to bother you for food, but mainly to supervise what’s going on. Chicken and deli turkey are his favorite high protein treats. He goes on 1 mile walks about 2 more times a day after his morning walk, as well as some potty breaks after he wakes up from a nap or gets let out from his crate. 

He is the perfect apartment dog or condo dog or house dog—he goes up and down our 3 flights of stairs with no issues, and he is quiet as a mouse both in his crate and around the home, besides his pitter patter feet when he comes running down the hallway when you’ve snuck away from him and he doesn’t know where you are. His name should really be Shadow; he wants to be where you are at all times, but not necessarily touching, as he hasn’t figured out how to get up on the couch and prefers to lay on a thick blanket on the floor or dog bed. He will gently rest his head in your lap as you’re sitting on the couch and use his big puppy dog eyes to ask politely to be petted. He coexists with his younger foster sister, and both will do sniff check-ins on each other throughout the day but don’t play or cuddle. He has only shown positive interest in other dogs on walks, and he would be fine as an only dog or as an older doggie companion. He might want some doggy brothers over doggy sisters, or a doggy sister who is tolerant of occasional male urges. He doesn’t mind walking in the rain or snow either, and enjoys being dried off after a bath or outside precipitation adventure. He would want me to say that he doesn’t like baths, but he will stand in there and let you bathe him and brush him if you tell him he is a good boy the whole time. He does not have any resource guarding, as he allows you to take his water bowl or food bowl, or pet him while he is eating or drinking. He has passed younger kids on the sidewalk totally fine, but due to his size and forgetfulness, older children who are aware of his mannerisms would be best in his forever home. 

Nick could potentially live with a dog-savvy cat and a household who has dog-cat experience. He is familiar with dog gates and has shown some problem-solving abilities as he has snuck through the gates with his nose and paw, but comes running right back when he sees you are in fact back behind the gate where he came from. He loves to play dress up with his winter sweater and jacket, and tolerates booties on his feet for shorter amounts of time. Come summer, he would probably love going to the doggy beach, sitting outside at a restaurant patio, or hanging out in a backyard in the sun. 

Old St. Nick is the best! He would be the perfect dog for first time dog owners, an older couple wanting a dog to fit their slower lifestyle, or a busy family who is looking for a new addition that doesn’t need too much exercise. He is younger than he looks and has years of life left to live as your next pup!