Messi

Messi had a rough start, and our best guess is that he spent most of his life in a kennel with his brother before being surrendered to rescue. He likely spent time outdoors, as evidenced by the bug bites on his ears. It has been an extraordinary joy to watch him come out of his shell and bound around our yard and house, full of joy. It is as if we are watching him discover every single sweet thing that life has to offer him as he experiences it for the first time!

We have been working on helping Messi gain a bit of weight and increase his muscle mass. We've also been giving him soothing baths to heal his skin and restore his healthy coat. He has some sores on his skin and feet that are now healing. Regardless of what he has been through, he is the happiest boy! Once his healing is complete, he is going to be an even more beautiful dog than he is now. And we think he is a looker already! Our best guess on breed combination is: some sort of small terrier breed/cattle dog/labrador retriever/Staffordshire terrier/husky/shepherd, and likely others. He is a beautiful little mix of things with the greatest personality and disposition.

Messi is past his puppy teeth phase and has all of his adult teeth. He is extremely gentle when he uses his mouth. He eats quickly now that he has access to food, but is gentle with people around food and treats/bones/toys. There's no resource guarding so far. He's at a beautiful age to bond with his new people, just as he has done with us.

Messi, at his present age and weight, is projected to unlikely become a large dog. He is a perfectly-perfect size. He currently lives with our dogs, cats, and three children aged 9 to 16 years old and is so wonderful and respectful with all of them!

He has had absolutely no accidents in the temp foster home he was in before ours, or in our home. He prefers to go to the bathroom outside, and does so immediately when taken there and given the "potty" command. Of course, we give him ample opportunities to potty outside, at least once every couple of hours.

He also responds to "come", "sit", and "no", and is working on "kennel". He is also working on leash training and doing great, although he is also great off-leash and has good recall. He loves to be right by his people. He rides wonderfully in a car, outside of or in a kennel. Messi is a very fast learner. He lives to please his people. He sleeps happily kenneled next to his foster canine companions all night from 10 pm to 6 am with no accidents and not a peep.

Messi is a very loving, happy, joyful, laid-back, affectionate, grateful, playful boy who loves being near his people. He really lives for the acceptance and love of his humans. If his people are not around, he finds comfort in his canine companions and would benefit from joining a family with another confident, friendly dog in it to show him the ropes and be friends with. Messi does not enjoy being alone, as he was with his brother for his entire life before coming to our home.

Messi is looking for his forever family to start his journey with. Might that be yours!?

Ideal Home

Messi would thrive in a home with another confident, friendly dog to be his companion. He does not enjoy being alone.

Ongoing Health

Messi is recovering from skin and foot sores. He is receiving soothing baths and is gaining weight and muscle mass.

Training & Support

Messi is responding to "come", "sit", and "no." He is working on "kennel" and leash training. He is great off-leash with good recall and rides well in a car.

Application Details:

• Applications start by contacting us through Wags.
• Adoption fee includes spay/neuter, all age-appropriate vaccinations, heartworm and flea/tick preventatives, heartworm test (dogs over 9 months), deworming, and microchip implant.

Transporation

Messi is located in Kasota, MN. All adoptable animals are in foster homes, so meet-and-greets cannot be arranged until an application is submitted and approved.