Ira

Meet Ira – A Brave Soul with a Tender Heart

Ira is a mixed breed pup whose DNA test revealed his predominant breeds are Treeing Walker Coonhound and Cattle Dog. Medium in size and huge in heart, Ira has already been through more than most dogs ever should. Rescued as part of a criminal case, he had a horrific start in life. His time in the shelter was just the beginning of his healing journey—once he entered foster care, he began to truly blossom.

One of Ira’s ears has permanent damage from past abuse and repeated untreated infections. It gives him a bit of rakish charm, but it does require ongoing care to keep it clean and comfortable. It’s a small thing for such a good boy.

Ira’s foster has devoted countless hours to helping him grow more confident, and with the help of a trainer, Ira has made great strides in his manners and social skills. But his journey isn’t finished. He will need a patient, understanding adopter willing to continue his training and help him keep building trust after such a traumatic past.

Despite everything, Ira is an absolute snugglebug. He loves curling up with his person, burrowing under blankets, and staying close to the people he loves. He bonds deeply with his caretaker, which means he does struggle with separation anxiety. He takes daily medication for anxiety and thyroid issues (about $25–30/month), in addition to standard monthly heartworm and flea/tick prevention.

Ideal Home

Ira would do best in a home with older, dog-experienced children—or no children at all. He’s still working on taking treats gently and can be a little mouthy, plus he’s prone to jumping when excited (making him a risk for toppling smaller kiddos). He did well with his foster’s 9-, 11-, and 14-year-old grandchildren, but they’re very dog-savvy.

Ongoing Health

Ira’s left ear has permanent damage from past abuse and repeated untreated infections. It does require ongoing care to keep it clean and comfortable. He takes daily medication for anxiety and thyroid issues (about $25–30/month), in addition to standard monthly heartworm and flea/tick prevention.

Training & Support

Ira’s foster has devoted countless hours to helping him grow more confident, and with the help of a trainer, Ira has made great strides in his manners and social skills. He will need a patient, understanding adopter willing to continue his training and help him keep building trust after such a traumatic past. He struggles with separation anxiety and can be a little mouthy and prone to jumping when excited.

Application Details:

• Applications start by contacting us through Wags.
• You can find our adoption application here: https://arfhumane.org/arf-adoption-application/

Transportation

Ira is currently in foster care in a home located in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Transportation to potential adopters can be discussed.