Hamilton
Harvest, Alabama
Male
Age: 2 (DOB 10/28/2022)
# 15.8
Healthy!
Adoption Donation: $600
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
⏰ Low alone time/someone with him much of day
🌱 Safe & secure fenced yard
🐶 Canine companion(s) of similar size & temperament
💜 Older, gentle children okay
🛑 If you do not check ALL of the above requirements, your application will not pass the screening process for consideration. We do not compromise on these requirements as we feel they are essential to a successful adoption with Hamilton.
MEET HAMILTON 🐶
We welcomed precious 2 year old Hamilton (DOB 10/28/2022) into our care after the Alabama puppy mill he was in closed their doors. Everything is new to this sweet boy and he's been learning all about freedom, love, and family in his foster home in Harvest, Alabama, after being denied it for the first years of his life. Hamilton is now a healthy boy and ready to find his perfect furever family who will continue to show him the good life!
MEDICAL 🩺
Hamilton is a healthy boy! He is now up to date on vaccinations, neutered, is microchipped, and on monthly preventatives. All his labwork including his fecal test, heartworm and tick borne illness test, urinalysis, and bloodwork is normal and negative. Additionally, we found his eyes, knees, hips, and heart to be clear and congenitally sound at this time. Hamilton is not on any medication and does not require any additional vetting outside of regular wellness checks at this time.
FOOD & POTTY HABITS 🥘
Handsome Hamilton is typical in size and at his ideal weight of 15.8 pounds. He has the cutest freckles and his blenheim coat and wavy ears are starting to grow in nicely now that he is receiving good groceries and great care! He is eating and enjoying his twice a day Fromm kibble meals and like clockwork will remind you when it is mealtime! He eats alongside his Cavalier foster siblings with no issues but supervision at mealtime is needed as he is a fast eater and may try to encroach upon someone else's bowl. He is also enjoying healthy treats throughout the day for lots of positive reinforcement as he learns all about this new world around him. He has been trying lots of new foods that didn't exist in puppy mill life, and likes blueberries, green beans, carrots, and crunchy-os. His adopting family must be committed to continuing his portioned meals, healthy treats, and daily activity/exercise to ensure he remains at his ideal weight, best health, and best self.
This is the first time Hamilton has ever been in a home environment, and he is off to a great start with his potty training as long as he is given plenty of opportunities outside to be successful. He should be taken out first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and every few hours in between including immediately after meals. He uses the safe and secured fenced yard in his foster home for pottying and is great about doing his business when let outside. Like many Cavaliers though, he does not like to get his paws wet and so if it is wet outside he prefers to potty on the concrete area instead of the grass. He does not 'signal' or alert that he needs to potty and so it is important that his family take the initiative to take him out frequently and regularly. A special high value treat and gentle praise immediately following good potty behavior will be excellent reward and reinforcement for this sweet boy who is learning all about these new expectations for him. Even though Hamilton is off to a fantastic start with his potty training, please know that accidents and some initial marking are to be expected, especially initially while he transitions to another environment and routine.
PERSONALITY 💕
Hamilton's foster family describes him as a sweet, loving, affectionate little boy! Although he never received any human love or attention in the puppy mill, he has already learned how nice it feels to be loved and snuggled. He is also quite inquisitive and curious as everything around him is new and exciting. He loves to find 'treasures' like sticks and rocks and bring them to his foster mom as gifts. He enjoys being outside in the safe and secured fenced yard of his foster home where he has plenty of room to run and patrol for squirrels! He is crazy fast with his long legs and will race and zoom around the yard. Being just 2 years old, he is an active and energetic boy who needs plenty of opportunity for play, activity, adventure, and engagement. It's been a joy seeing him transform from a scared cautious boy to a happy, goofy, playful puppy! He especially enjoys playing with his Cavalier foster siblings. His foster mom says, "he will lay on his back so the other dogs can "get" him. Two against one is great fun for him!" He also loves to fetch and will return a ball or stuffed toy. All of his toys end up in the yard so everyday his foster mom collects them and returns them to the toy bin for Hamilton to clear out again!
ROUTINE ⏰
Hamilton starts his day being let out in the yard for pottying, back in for breakfast, and then back out for play! He spends much of the day with his foster family and Cavalier foster siblings where he enjoys a leisurely schedule of napping, playing, and following his foster mom around the house. He loves 'helping' with laundry duty where he is known to steal a sock and take off with it! He has free roam of the home and enjoys his freedom both indoors and outdoors. Hamilton spends very little time alone as he spends most of his time with his foster family, but during short periods of time when there are no humans home, he stays in a large puppy-proofed area of the home with his foster siblings where he has plenty of space, comforts, and companionship. He does well left for short periods of time but is of course happiest being with his people and having lots of opportunity for activity and play, and so we are seeking a family where someone is able to be with him much of the day. Like many puppy mill dogs, Hamilton panics when he is strictly confined and so he should not be crated.
In the evenings, Hamilton enjoys his dinner, goes out to potty, and then settles in on the couch for TV and cuddle time. After last trip out to potty, he claims his spot on the big bed, sharing the pillow with his foster mom. He sleeps peacefully through the night knowing he is safe and sound right next to his people. We are seeking a family who will continue to invite him to sleep with them in the big bed as he would not do well being asked to sleep apart. Pet steps should be provided up to the bed so he can safely get on and off as jumping is not safe, although his foster family says he often will just wait for a 'lift' up onto the bed.
SOCIALIZATION 💜
Hamilton is very cautious and distrusting of strangers and will stiffen/freeze or 'pancake' to the ground around new people. He is very easily startled and spooks when there is movement toward him or he is being reached for. Once he gets to know someone, he is friendly and engaging, but he needs help from his people to get him comfortable and to help him know that everything is okay and that he is safe. He responds best to a gentle, loving, calm voice, and lots of patience and gentle encouragement. Because he is afraid of being reached for, it's best to encourage him to come to you and then give him ample time to check you out and warm up to you. He will need a patient family who will give him time and space to continue to bloom. We feel he would be happiest and do best in an active adult only home or a home with older, gentle children who dog experience who can understand his puppy mill past and respect his space and boundaries.
While he is timid and unsure of people due to his lack of experience and socialization, he has been very socialized with other dogs and is very happy and comfortable among his Cavalier foster siblings where he quickly became part of the 'pack!' They all get along great and love being together - they can often be found romping, wrestling, playing, or snuggling up together. Hamilton needs canine companion(s) in the home- not just for play and companionship, but also for leadership. Hamilton is learning how to be a dog by watching, following, and modeling after the other Cavaliers in his foster home who help show him the ropes. His ideal canine companion(s) would be one that will welcome him in with open paws and will engage in play with him like chasing balls, playing with toys, and romping and exploring through the yard, as well as allow him to cuddle up close to them. He would do very well in a multiple Cavalier home or with another dog(s) or similar size and gentle temperament. He has not been around cats while in our care but his passion for chasing squirrels may be an indication that he may do best in a feline free home!
IDEAL HOME & FAMILY 🏡
Most importantly, Hamilton needs a loving, patient family who has the time and ability to shower him with gentle love and attention and make him an included and important member of their family. He would benefit from a family with experience working with undersocialized and timid dogs and who will give him the time and space to allow him to bloom on his own time. He needs companionship, both with humans and other dogs, and needs plenty of opportunity for engagement, activity, and play as well as space and freedom to run and expend his energy. Therefore we are seeking a home where someone is able to be with him much of the day. He needs a home with a safe and secured fenced yard for pottying purposes and so he can continue to enjoy his outdoor freedom - he loves to run, patrol, and explore! Hamilton has been introduced to a leash but is uncomfortable with it at this time. Because he is still so easily startled and spooked by movements and noises, it is just not safe for him to be on a leash outside of a safe and secured area and we will encourage his family to continue positive practice with the leash inside of the fenced yard until he is more comfortable. He rides well in the car in the safety and comfort of his boosted car seat and where he can safely see more of the world around him but feels most comfortable riding with a furiend. We will ask that his family have a car seat for him.
HOW TO APPLY 💻
We are so happy for adorable Hamilton to have a second shot at living his best life! We know in the right home and family that he will continue to bloom and enjoy an amazing life full of love, fun, and freedom. If you feel you are great fit for this healthy, loving, precious boy and meet all of his requirements, please fill out an adoption application found on our website (TheCavalierRescue.org), and then email us at CavalierRescueAL@gmail.com to express your interest **letting us know why you feel you are a match**. Hamilton is located in Harvest, Alabama and travel there is required. Hamilton is available now so please only apply if you are able and ready to move forward with adoption at this time. His requested adoption donation is $600.