Owen Hound Palmyra, VA

HOUND- Sleek cream jacket, tan oval spots near hips, tan at base of tail, around face and ears. 53lbs
ADULT MALE; Est DOB: 2015
ARRIVAL: September 9, 2017
HISTORY: Owen was pulled from a high kill shelter when space became an issue. At the prior shelter, he had taken up with a family as a stray but they could not keep him long term.
MEDICAL NOTE: Owen has limited range of motion in his left hip likely due to an untreated older injury. He takes daily meds to manage his pain. Owen runs and plays like any normal, happy dog and the limited range of motion in his hip does not slow him down…at all!

Owen gets super excited when he sees volunteers heading his way, because he knows they will take him for a walk and maybe take him to the arena. He is a jolly, happy dog who just loves to play with toys! A note of caution though; he will tear his way through stuffed toys pretty quickly, so tough toys (especially with a squeaker) are the way to go. He is treat-motivated, which always makes training much easier. He takes his treats very, very softly, and he has mastered the “sit” command. He can be strong out of the gate, raring to go, but once he burns off the excess energy, he’s a model walker. When Owen is running out in the arena, he is a beautiful sight! He can get very excited meeting other dogs, and he hasn’t quite mastered the art of politely introducing himself to them, but that is something that can be worked on through training. Owen has a have limited range of motion in his left hip likely due to an untreated older injury. He is on medication for pain off and on. Owen runs and plays like any normal, happy dog and the limited range of motion in his hip does not slow him down…at all!

A Word from Owen
“Howdy folks.  It’s me Owen. I love to play! I love my toys!!! I also like to chase tennis balls. Folks have commented on how I can seemingly self- entertain for long periods of time if given just a few simple toys.  I will carry and throw toys around and then roll on my back in great delight.  Still can’t believe the good fortune I have come upon in winding up at CFC! I’ve never met a stranger and I’m told I’m graced with a super sweet disposition typical of many hounds. I’ll admit, I get very excited when I see someone heading toward my pen with a leash. I get so excited it’s hard for me to focus on what I’m told. But I sure am enthusiastic with my affection! If I really like you, I’ll nuzzle my head into you like a hug. I can be a little reactive towards strange dogs and loud noises. I LOVE going for car rides! I hop right in and even flop on my back in delight as I settle in for an adventure. Won’t you take me for a ride…to your house?”

What I Need in My Home – Toys, toys, and more toys….preferably the tough kind, though I love tearing the others apart! I need a loving owner who has plenty of time to play with me, and one who knows the value of structure and a routine. I don’t like new dogs that I don’t get the chance to meet properly, but after I do meet them we might just be friends. Elementary age children and older would be great for me, but cats look like little toys to me, so best not to have those in the household. A lot of new things at once would overwhelm me, so a simple home would be best. A session or two with a trainer would quickly help me bring my energy under control!

Winter Update 2025: At long last, I have someone's ear!! This makes me immensely happy! Her name is Wen and she's a newer staff member whose task in part is to enhance my day and the day of other doggies here at The Sanctuary. To that end, she's telling folks that I've become more expressive each day. She's been calling on me like clockwork every morning and it's such fun for us to chat over "coffee and donuts." Well, we have neither of each, but you get the idea! No doubt, she understands that I love the extra daily attention and as the days go by, I'm sharing more and more with her. She tells folks, "He has a lot to share with me. It's so cute to see him trying to have a conversation with me. His speeches grow longer each time. Such a vocal love bug." I have no new emerging medical concerns and I might attribute my "coffee and donuts" newer lifestyle choice as perhaps the reason why. OWEN

Update Fall 2024: Owen: Owen continues to love his stuffed toys, and is still a very sweet and happy guy. He has mastered how to get into the toy box in the arena so he can pick just the right one.  Very keen. One of his favorite toys right now is a Kong Jumbler.  Recently, we discovered a new hidden talent. Approx 1 month ago, Owen began barking at his dog house and avoiding going in it.  All of us here at CFC, investigated what could be the cause to no avail. Several days later we saw a large black snake exiting from underneath his house. Although we could not find anything there previously, Owen knew there was an unwelcome visitor in his enclosure.  Perhaps this guy has a future as a snake detector.  Owen continues to enjoy a good dig. He has graduated from small holes to rather large ones. He really likes when we cover them up, so he can immediately begin to excavate them. I think in his new forever home he would like his own digging/sand box.  Owen is a gentle guy since the day we met and happily welcomes new people into his life.

Update Winter 2024: "One of my favorite volunteers was recently out over the weekend and she knew the exact toy that would bring me the most joy...It's the Jolly Ball! This massive, very solid, hard plastic ball is a riot to tote around. Although it's cumbersome, I think that is part of the fun. It always makes weird, gurgling noises the more I play with it which is just da' bomb for me! LOL. It can also be a tug of war gizmo which also gets me going! As you likely know, I go inside for overnights. I'm pretty chatty inside and have quite the range of vocals to share with all. In the kennel next to me is a very shy dog. For the most part, he is super, super quiet but wouldn't you know it, he is now softly joining into my chorus line which always makes the humans smile. The humans tell me I am healthy...and I feel healthy...so I'm confident, I can continue to help my otherwise timid neighbor to perhaps feel more relaxed and confident."