It was his Christmas wish to land in the SEPR program, and lo and behold, his wish was granted. Named after the jolly man himself, Klaus may have started as a quiet, shut-down soul sitting in a crowded shelter, but today he is something truly special.

​

When Klaus first arrived, he was in very rough shape. Severely underweight and covered in pressure sores, it was clear that life had not been kind to him. Humans had let him down, and because of that he learned to be cautious. Over the past year in our program, however, this handsome bachelor has blossomed into a thoughtful, sensitive, incredibly loyal companion. Klaus is what we lovingly call a “slow burn.” He is a gentleman who prefers to observe first and engage later. He doesn’t rush into new relationships, he builds them. And once you’re in? You’re in. When you become his person, he wants nothing more than to be near you, whether that means binge-watching your favorite show or heading out for a peaceful morning run.

 

Most people initially see shy and timid, but there is so much depth to this boy. With continued slow exposure to new environments and positive experiences, Klaus grows braver every day. He would truly thrive in a home that understands he likes to take things in before diving headfirst, and an adopter who enjoys continued training would love partnering with him. He is incredibly smart and very food motivated, the quickest way to his heart. He has mastered walking beautifully on a Gentle Leader, knows his basic commands, and has begun platform training. With his long, elegant legs and impressive ability to clear baby gates or fencing like a dressage horse in motion, agility work would be a fun and confidence-boosting outlet for him.

​

Klaus loves his canine companions and gains confidence from being around them. He lives peacefully with his foster sisters, including one a fraction of his size, and does well with proper structure and introductions. He is happy to play and equally happy to walk away when he is ready to rest. While there are no cats in his foster home, past interactions have been positive and he could likely live with feline friends given appropriate management. He has also learned, through slow and controlled interactions, that respectful children aren’t so scary after all.

​

Routine matters deeply to Klaus. His kennel anxiety tends to surface when household schedules feel unpredictable, but when given consistent structure, appropriate exercise, and enrichment, he settles beautifully. To continue supporting his progress, he takes a low dose of fluoxetine to help him through areas he still works on, and it has been a helpful tool in his growth journey. His babysitters report that he is a role-model overnight guest and a true gem outside of his normal environment.

​

They say good things come to those who wait, and Klaus is absolutely worth the wait. If you offer him patience, kindness, and steady leadership, you will uncover a deeply loyal, intelligent, sensitive soul who will quietly and completely steal your heart. He is, quite simply, a handsome glass of water, and a dog you can truly fall in love with.

​

SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO KLAUS'S FOSTER FAMILY FOR THEIR TIME AND DONATIONS: 

Jenn