FREDERICKSBURG, Texas — UPDATE
Zeke joins our list of Forgotten Friends who now have loving homes. Kaitlyn Blumrich, Operations Manager at Hill Country SPCA gave us the good news Wednesday. Zeke has officially been aopted.
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Our "Forgotten Friends" series showcases a dog or cat each week that has spent a lengthy time at an area shelter, just waiting for someone to notice them and bring them home to love.
This week we met Zeke, a 7-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix who would love to cuddle up with you on a cold winter day and help keep you warm while you watch television.
Found as a stray back in April of 2022, Zeke was listed for euthanasia at City of San Antonio Animal Care Services because they were running out of space and nobody had shown any interest in him. That is until Hill Country SPCA brought him to their shelter out in Fredericksburg. Zeke has been adopted out twice since then, but neither home worked out.
Zeke had been on euthanasia list at ACS, but was saved by Hill Country SPCA | Forgotten Friends
The first home was with a college student who ended up dropping out of school and moving back home with her parents, who owned cats, so she could not keep him. The second home initially told HCSPCA that they didn't have any other pets, but were not telling the truth. Zeke was brought back to the shelter after getting beaten up by one of that household's dogs.
"Zeke came back with chunks of skin missing, and wounds all over his poor body," said Kaitlyn Blumrich, Operations Manager at Hill Country SPCA. "His skin has now healed, and his spirit has too, for the most part."
Animals at HCSPCA are given so much affection in care, but nothing compares to the warmth of their own loving home. Zekes ideal home would be a household with one or zero other dogs. Ideally, an older person who just wants to take him for a few short walks or hangout in the back yard with him soaking up the sun would be his dream home.
"Zeke would do best in a home without cats or with cats that are strictly outdoor and do their own thing," said Kaitlyn. "Zeke would do fine with one or two other dogs in home, but he loves his toys soooo much, he wouldn't want to share them."
That being said, if you have another dog in the home, the shelter thinks a "meet and greet" before an adoption would be best for all involved.
Zeke is very active, so would do well with older kids, or kids who are sturdy on their feet. He is super-mellow at times and loves sunbathing on the back side of his kennel. He also adores butt scratches, belly rubs, and really just cuddles of all kinds.
"He greets every stranger with a tail wag and tons of kisses," said Kaitlyn. "He loves his crate and is basically housebroken."
Zeke was born with elbow dysplasia, but his condition is very easily managed with daily joint supplements. Otherwise, he is very healty, fully vaccinated and has been neutered.
"Zeke is a toy fanatic," said Kaitlyn. "At any given time, you can find a pile of his favorite toys in his kennel. He can easily entertain himself with toys and hard chews." And did we mention that he loves his treats?
"He is a very well-mannered boy that knows he has to sit first," said Kaitlyn. "He will happily accept all the treats you are willing to give him."
For whoever adopts Zeke, Lucy's Doggy Daycare & Spa will be lending a paw by offering them a free "Glow Up" Day at the Spa, which includes a massage therapy bath and Pawdicure. One of Lucy's most cherished core values is to continue Lucy’s legacy of giving back to pups in need, as Lucy herself was a rescue!
There is no better feeling in the world, than adopting or fostering an overlooked pet from a shelter. Who's ready to give Zeke a loving home for the hoildays?
Hill Country SPCA shelter is located at 2981 S. State Highway 16 in Fredericksburg and they are open Tuesdays thru Saturdays, closed on Sunday and Mondays. Their phone number is (830) 990-9085. You can reach out to the shelter by email at info@hillcountryspca.com.
- Tuesday thru Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
For more information on how you can adopt, please visit their website.
If you'd like to donate to the shelter CLICK HERE.
Have some extra cash and want to buy something for some of the long term dogs at the shelter? There are tons of enrichment toys they'd like which are listed on their Amazon Wish list CLICK HERE. For the cat lovers out there, they also have items for cats on their wish list.
The Hill Country SPCA was founded by volunteers and continues to depend on them for its ongoing success. Whatever your special skill, they can use you! Do you have time? CLICK HERE to find out more.
If you know of a Forgotten Friend that has been overlooked and is still looking for a "furr-ever" home, contact Andrea at acarden@kens5.com.