Let us introduce you to a sweet survivor!  Ruger is truly a fighter who has overcome a rough past, yet is still loving, loyal and eager to please.  He is a shepherd mix and approximately 10 years old.  Ruger was picked up as a stray and taken to Dallas Animal Services with severe chemical burns covering most of his body and was also heartworm positive.  His heartworm treatment is complete, and he has been on a grain free diet to help with the itching while healing from his chemical burns.  Ruger now has a beautiful, shiny coat of black fur. Despite his rough past, he always looks like he is smiling.

Ruger has learned basic commands, is housetrained and crate trained.  Ruger is amazing with kids!  He is also good with other dogs, but appears to be better with dogs his size as opposed to small dogs.  He hasn’t been around cats since being rescued, so he may need to be introduced properly at a meet and greet. 

Ruger has a medium-to-high activity level.  He is playful and loves attention, while being very devoted. He is an excellent travel companion and does very well in public places! He loves visiting stores and restaurants and acts like a perfect gentleman!

His foster parents report that he will just throw himself at your feet looking for a belly rub.  He also loves to lean into you so you can pet his head.  He is amazing with their kids, and loves to play with them and lay on them.  He loves his rope toys that he can throw around the room, and he also enjoys tennis balls.

This loving guy has overcome several obstacles, and now just needs to find a fantastic forever home where he’ll get plenty of love, attention and belly rubs…lots of belly rubs!

All Dallas Pets Alive adoptable pets are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccines upon adoption. The standard minimum donation for dogs over six months is $200, and puppies under six months is $250, unless specified otherwise. You can view all the adoptable pets and fill out an adoption application online on our website at http://dallaspetsalive.org/adopt/adoptable-dogs/. For more information, you can email adopt@dallaspetsalive.org.