23-088 Booker, a male Golden/Australian Shepherd mix, was estimated to be 1-year-old in October 2023. He was found as a stray and came to AGR from Pinal County Animal Care and Control. Booker was described as very sweet, but timid and not wanting to eat. Once the AGR transporter picked him up and shared her lunch of peanut butter crackers with him, he started to warm up to her. Booker was vetted at one of our partner veterinarians where he received the standard treatment of vaccinations, tests for valley fever and heartworm, and neutering.

After he had been in boarding almost a month, a home was found in Mesa that seemed to be a good placement. After settling in his new home for about a month and being placed on anxiety medication, Booker continued to periodically exhibit fear of the husband. As his anxiety continued, it started to manifest itself in new barking behavior. Sadly, they didn’t feel they had enough patience to deal with his anxiety issues and decided to return him to AGR. While being boarded, Booker needed to be treated for Giardia and tapeworm.

After two months, AGR transporters took him to his new foster home with a foster mom in Phoenix. They noticed he looked more relaxed and after arriving at his new home, explored the back yard. After three weeks, though, Booker became lethargic, started vomiting and not wanting to eat. He was taken to the ER, and it was discovered that he may have eaten pieces of his bed that he chewed up. After an exam and X-rays, the vet indicated that there was probably an obstruction in his intestines. Once he was given an IV for hydration, the vet said the object would move through his large intestines and be eliminated on its own. After recuperating from this procedure, Booker was ready for board-and-train for his anxiety. He spent three weeks in training and did very well once he returned home. Fostering Booker for 2-and-1⁄2 months proved to be rewarding, and the foster mom decided to adopt him – a foster failure, and a happy new life for Booker! We thank the adopter for very generously donating the entire cost of the training program.