Last night one of our long time lurkers using the nym TexasBoyShaun made a request for our help for his dog Tado.
Hi everyone. Long-time lurker but I rarely post. I have a special request because I’m in a bad spot right now and desperately need help.
My name is Shaun and I currently live near Houston. I was recently diagnosed with autism and bipolar II disorder. I’m also going through severe anxiety and depression related in part to PTSD and adverse childhood experiences. I haven’t been able to work since the beginning of November. I’m now facing a 30-day eviction. I’ve had to accept a close friend’s offer to live with them in New Jersey until I am on my feet again.
I have a miniature American Eskimo named Tado (short for Potado) that’s about 13 years old. He’s in good health except for an inoperable hernia in his lower intestine (I keep him on a higher-fiber diet and that keeps things under control.) He’s very well-behaved and really energetic. He’s an excellent family dog and loves kids- before I got sick I babysat my young nieces and he was so gentle with them. He weighs 19 pounds. My heart is broken because I can’t take him with me (I also have a 16yo dachshund who’s getting certified as my psychiatric support animal.) My mental health has deteriorated to the point where Tado’s energy actually makes my anxiety even worse. Right now I live in a small apartment and Tado really needs a yard to play in.
I have talked to my family and friends here, and no one is able to take him in. I’m so worried about him. Could you please possibly help me find a good place for him?
Thanks so much for listening. Those of you who are animal lovers know how much I don’t want to rehome him.
So if you are in the Houston area or in Texas or even close to Texas and you can help out, please leave a note in the comments or shoot me an email and I’ll connect you with Shaun.
Tado also earned an A+ in deportment!!!!
Look at that face!!!
You definitely want to help out that face!!!!!
Schnoozle time!
Anything any of you might be able to do to help, please let us know in the comments so we can get Tado’s situation resolved and reduce some of Shaun’s stress as soon as possible.
THANKS!!!!
Open thread!
skerry
I can’t take Toda but I am willing to contribute if funds are needed for transport, etc.
Old School
The name is Tado (not Todd).
Adam L Silverman
@Old School: Fixed, thanks for catching that. I may need a nap…
Old School
@Adam L Silverman: I was going to blame it on WordPress, but a nap is always good.
rikyrah
Will kick in for transportation.
So cute :)
Crossing fingers that this cutiepie will find a home :)
Miss Bianca
Oh, what a screamingly adorable pup! I will put the word out among my peeps, even tho’ I live in Colorado. (I wish I could take him!)
Adam L Silverman
@Miss Bianca: We will find a way to get him to Colorado if necessary.
raven
in for Transportation
SiubhanDuinne
Taco looks like a sweetie. I’ll help with transportation costs.
ETA: No, you stupid autocorrect. It’s TADO, not TACO. Jesus.
Lord Fartdaddy (Formerly, Mumphrey, Smedley Darlington Mingobat, et al.)
I live too far away to be of any help, but if there’s any need for money or something, I hope you’l put up a post about it.
MomSense
I can help with transportation costs.
Miss Bianca
@Adam L Silverman: I just sent word to Wet Mountain Animal Welfare (our Balloon Juice calendar funds recipients) to see if they can put the word out.
(I think I may also send this to our neighbors who are grieving for their aged Border Collie that they just had to put down.)
Adam L Silverman
@SiubhanDuinne: Today is Tuesday…
Adam L Silverman
@Miss Bianca: You know how to reach me.
Mary G
Can’t take pretty Tado in, but can also kick into transportation costs. Love the report card!
TaMara
I’ve shared and am, of course, in for transportation $$. Also could do a leg of driving if he needs to go through CO on his way elsewhere.
Neldob
Will send his pic to my dog needy daughter, but she mostly fosters.
Major Major Major Major
Thanks Adam!
jackmac
I saw the original post last night by TexasBoyShaun and I’m happy to see his request for help is getting more prominence and attention (thanks Adam Silverman). This is a great and caring community and I hope someone down in or near Texas can help Tado and that TexasBoyShaun also gets back on his feet. I’d be happy to help out with transportation costs if there’s a link or fund. Best wishes.
CaseyL
Tado is a cutie. I know we can help – I can kick in towards transportation costs.
Ohio Mom
Shaun, Wecome! To commenting here, and — unrelatedly — to the autism community (I am an autism mom).
I hope you’ll keep commenting here and I wish you Godspeed on your journey to good mental health. It is doable!
Spanky
Has someone notified Cole? I’m getting a definite JG Cole vibe around this cutie.
Skepticat
I’ve reached out to a good friend in Houston.
PapDad
Loooooongtime but very dedicated lurker here, we had to say goodbye to our much-loved Papillon (at 19 years!) just before New Years, and are slowly starting to consider another dog. Tado sounds like an awesome pup, we really like to give a home to older or health-challenged pets, and we might be a good fit for him (a couple in our late 50s, with one easygoing older dog and two dog-savvy cats). That said, we’re in the greater Boston area, so we’re probably not first on the list if a more local adopter can be found, but we’d be very happy to be considered if nothing else pans out, feel free to drop a line via email.
:) PapDad
Ohio Mom
@PapDad: Welcome out of lurking, why don’t you stick around?
Kristine
Also ready to help with any costs.
Wolvesvalley
I’m so glad Tado has a prospect of a new home! I will gladly help with transportation costs, too.
zhena gogolia
Sweetie. I’m happy to send a check to help with transport.
Miss Bianca
@PapDad: You sound perfect! Oh, please!
ETA: If you’ve been around a while, you know that distance is no object – a quick whip round the BJ community would line up transportation and expenses.
zhena gogolia
@PapDad: If you go to “Contact Us” at the top you’ll find Adam’s e-mail, just in case he doesn’t check back here, but I assume he will.
Pavlov'sMan
I’ll gladly help with transporting him if his route is somewhat through my neck of the woods, Kansas City.
HinTN
@PapDad: You got the requisite yard? We’ll get Tado to you.
One of the Many Jens
I love this community, and I’m so glad to hear that Tado and Shaun have a backup plan. Lurkers of the world unite! And I’ll keep an eye out for the transportation fund post. :)
Best wishes to all!
geg6
@Miss Bianca:
Exactly! As a recipient of a re-homed pup thanks to the Jackals, I can attest that distance is no barrier. Balloon Juice got my Koda from Santa Monica, CA to Aliquippa, PA and we’re forever grateful. Which is why I’m definitely in for some transportation costs.
MazeDancer
@PapDad
Little pup can go on the airplane under the seat.
Maybe someone would like a nice trip to Boston? We are all willing to contribute.
debit
@geg6: What you said!
@PapDad: There’s a special place in my heart for senior dogs and the people who adopt them.
feebog
I’m in for transportation costs. Let’s get this little guy to his new home!
MazeDancer
@PapDad:
Be sure and contact Adam through the drop down menu. So he can put you together with Shaun
Adam L Silverman
@jackmac: Thank M4, he poked the front pagers and I just happened to have a few minutes to do it shortly after I saw his email.
Mary
I’d be happy to contribute to transportation costs too. What a little cutie! And so soulful.
Rileys Enabler
I’m in Houston. I can’t take the sweet boy due to rent restrictions, but I could def take the first leg of a car journey. I have a smallish crate that might work, and could drive for a day or two if we figure out a destination.
O. Felix Culpa
I’m in New Mexico and can help with Tado’s journey if needed.
eachother
I will contribute also.
wombat probability cloud
In for transport, too. Just let me know what’s needed.
Adam, thanks for bringing this to everyone’s attention.
rikyrah
That beautiful animal is going to get a new home. I can feel it ??
Heidi Mom
Happy to contribute to transport costs.
arrieve
I wish I could have a dog, but I will gladly help with transport. I now have a car, so I could even drive a leg — New York to Boston.
Adam L Silverman
@wombat probability cloud: Again, thank M4, he’s the one that gave the rest of us front pagers that have done one of these before a heads up that it needed doing.
Tom Levenson
I’m in for transport help.
Carol wyatt
Be able to help and at least one of three ways:
Adam L Silverman
@Carol wyatt: Thanks, we appreciate the assistance. And I’m sure Shaun and Tado will too!
columbusqueen
@Adam L Silverman: am in to help with costs. Will also help w driving if it’s needed in Ohio at some point.
Roonieroo
I am in Austin, I can help with the actual driving from Houston to wherever.
texasboyshaun
@SiubhanDuinne: He’s a Texas dog who does love his tacos, so your autocorrect isn’t off the mark that much!
texasboyshaun
@rikyrah: You’re so kind! I’m crying right now!
texasboyshaun
@PapDad: You are a blessing <3
texasboyshaun
@Spanky: Cole and Tado would make a perfect pair.
texasboyshaun
@Skepticat: Thank you!
Quantumman
How is he with other dogs and with cats?? We are in Tennessee.
texasboyshaun
@Quantumman:
He’s good with other dogs. He makes friends pretty easily. IDK how much he was around cats before I got him in 2016, but I fostered a kitten for two months last year and they got along great.
@Quantumman:
PapDad
@texasboyshaun: Hi, Shaun – We would be happy to help :) I did some reading on American Eskimos, and my one concern is that they seem to have a reputation for being very barky. We’re in an apartment with only so-so sound insulation, in a pretty densely populated area. Is Tado a big barker? We work from home and he would not be alone very much, which (I think) would help, but it’s something we’d need to take into account – PapDad
S. Cerevisiae
Late to the thread but I just found out about a beautiful pair of bonded German Shepherds who’s owner passed away. He treated them like his kids and they need a good home. I will try to get an email from his sister with more information but the service is today so she may be a while to answer but the family needs to find a home for them.
Adam L Silverman
@texasboyshaun: Would you please email me back so I can actually get you connected with these folks?
Adam L Silverman
@PapDad: Would you please either reply to the test message I sent you yesterday or send me an email using the contact the front pager tool so I can get you connected with Shaun?
Adam L Silverman
@Quantumman: Would you please send me an email using the contact the front pager tool so I can get you connected with Shaun?
MazeDancer
@S. Cerevisiae: You should discuss posting with any of the front pagers. Just email them.
PapDad
@Adam L Silverman: Hi, Adam – I just sent you an email reply –
H-Bob
@PapDad: Our American Eskimo didn’t bark very much but she would silently strut around the backyard and get all the neighbors’ dogs barking.
S. Cerevisiae
I just found out that they are setting in with a foster home, if I hear they need more help I will email someone on the front page and inform the community. You folks are so awesome.@MazeDancer:
MazeDancer
@S. Cerevisiae:
Wonderful news!
Carol Van Natta
I am in for transportation costs. Jackals found a home for my elderly father’s cats when he could no longer care for them. I’d be thrilled to pay it forward.
Laura Too
I am in for transport and willing to drive or fly if needed.
texasboyshaun
@Adam L Silverman: I just emailed you.
ghost cat
I’m most def in for helping with transportation if needed.
texasboyshaun
@PapDad: NGL, he does bark but he’s lived with me in several apartments since 2016 and I’ve never had a complaint about it. I’ve even apologized to my neighbors but they’ve all told me that they don’t hear him. He barks at me when I go to take the trash out, and when I start putting on socks/shoes. But once I’m gone he’s fine.
He does bark at guests when they arrive and when they go to leave. Once he gets to know them, he’s fine. I have several young (under 8yo) great-nieces and -nephews that come over and he is so gentle with them. I’ll send you some pics with them together.
PapDad
A quick update for anyone who’s still following this thread. Shaun and I had a chance to talk, decided Tado was a good match for us, and he’s coming to Boston! I will be traveling to Texas this week to meet Shaun and pick up the pup. I want to thank everyone who so generously volunteered to help with transport or contributions, we should be set for now, but if you want to throw a few dollars to you local rescue organization instead that would be a great thing. I’ll give another quick update when we get Tado to his new home! :). PapDad