Kona - ADOPTED!
Kona is a two year old male owner surrender, who had lived in at least three different homes in his short couple of years of life before coming into AKKNR and settling into his foster home. There are approximately nine months of his history that is unknown, so this cutie could even have been passed around to more homes than the three we know of. His most current owner did the right thing and surrendered him to AKKNR to give him his best chance at the perfect forever home. Regional Coordinator Linda Yates took him in, and he was transferred to our Treasurer and volunteer, Hannah Snyder, for foster.
When he first went home with his foster family, he was afraid of everything. He loved his crate, which was his safe place. He preferred not to be around people. He did not want to eat. He did not want to drink. He turned his nose up at treats. Gradually, they started to keep the door closed on his crate during the day so that he could adjust to the house, but encouraged him to sleep in his crate at night. Kona now sleeps on the bed with his foster parents the entire night through, of his own accord.
Kona can be fearful of strangers and other dogs, but for the most part he gets along well with other dogs. While Kona seems more confident in his interactions with other dogs, he has not barked, and continues to be skittish of strangers. Kona is afraid of going in and out of doors. He has the same behavior coming in and out of his crate so his foster family leaves the door wide open to give him the space and security he needs. He is very covert about eating his food. The first month, he would only eat in his crate. Now he takes favored food his foster parents' hands. He is doing better with this and now occasionally drinks or eats from a bowl outside his crate, but it is not routine yet. He is not motivated by food, so creative training techniques are required.
Kona is alert and inquisitive. He walks well on a leash but still has moments of fear, for reasons we have yet to figure out. He likes to go for rides in the car (though somewhat nervous) and long walks by the lake and on the trails in the area. He has a favorite pillow that his foster parents move around to house to various locations, always against a wall, so he can participate in family living and get used to being a part of the pack. He has become attached to his foster momma, following her through the house and sometimes into the closet or the bathroom. He loves to come in bed at night and cuddle. His foster momma’s favorite moment is when Kona cuddles up with his head on her shoulder, nuzzles and and gives a big, long sigh. He sleeps the whole night through on his foster parents’ bed.
Kona has been adopted by his foster mom!