Zack, the Elder Statesman

Nov 4, 2023 | 2023 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Lee Juslin, Pets

Zack is a senior Westie, approximately twelve years old. He was picked up as a stray by the county shelter. He is blind and deaf but has no skin or health problems. The shelter knew Zack would not be easy to adopt, so they called Elizabeth of Lone Star Westie Rescue.

Zack

Despite his handicaps, Zack is a lowkey, happy boy. He loves other dogs, though not for play. He just likes hanging out. He is also not interested in toys. Although he is not a lap dog, he enjoys sitting next to his human on the couch. He will not jump up, but will come and sit in front of Elizabeth, his foster mom. She then picks him up and puts him next to her, where he cuddles and watches TV with her.

Zack walks well on a leash and loves to be outdoors. He is housebroken and sleeps through the night in his crate. Although he is very laid back, he does get excited at mealtime and bites the air.

Zack needs a special home. He might bite your hand when taking a treat simply because he can not see your hand. People also need to be careful not to come upon him suddenly and startle him. Elizabeth gets his attention by tapping him on his back, and then he will follow her. He also uses his nose a lot to orient himself. Zack has been known to eat poop, so any adopter would need to be aware of this.

Recently, Elizabeth had to go out of town and had a pet sitter stay with her pups, including Zack. The pet sitter loved him. He is also very good with the groomer.

Zack needs a quiet situation and not an active family. He probably wouldn’t do well with children. He would most likely tolerate a cat and other pets, because Elizabeth says he doesn’t bother the bunnies in her yard.

This elder statesman would like a single, retired person or couple who would enjoy cuddling on the couch and walking around in the yard. He doesn’t need a fenced-in yard, but an apartment with no yard would probably not be a good situation for him. He also would not do well with a handicapped or elderly person because he is a large Westie at more than twenty-one pounds. His adopter needs to be able to pick up this large boy.

Zack is a very gentle soul who would make a loving, good companion in the right situation.

Remember, breed rescues like Lone Star Westie Rescue, with an all-volunteer staff, depend on financial, tax free donations from individuals as well as support for their fundraising activities. With the holidays approaching, With the holidays approaching, this is an excellent time to gift a donation to this worthy rescue group.

Facebook page: facebook.com/LoneStarWestieRescue
Website: lswr.us

Check out more animal rescue stories in our Pet Perspective section & watch for more stories. You can also keep up with our pet articles by joining our KRL Facebook group.

Lee Juslin is a freelance copywriter living In North Carolina with her husband Scott and four rescued cats. She has an embroidery business, I B Dog Gone, and sells on Ebay under the I.D. Collectorfrosty. She supports several national, regional, and international breed rescues.