Cloud is personality galore. We admit he doesn’t exactly fit the looks of a pure bred Lab but he’s got everything you could ever want in a best friend – a great attitude, a wonderful smile and the ability to immediately make you feel like he loves you like no one else ever could.
He’s white all over and his ears are sort of animated – like they have a mission all their own. One will stand at attention, while the other seems like it’s always trying to point to something off to his left. It’s very humorous and quite endearing, and his winsome smile shows he has charm like no other. Having never met a stranger, he engages everyone he meets. He loves kids and he just assumes your cheeks are for kissing and your lap is for snuggling. This is one very special little guy.
Update from Cloud's foster mom:
I’ve had a ton of fosters in and out of my home for several years. They all take a little while to adjust and get comfortable with my pack of permanent fur-kids. Sometimes they take a few hours, sometimes a few days... and in the case of pups that have had little doggy socialization, sometimes they take a few weeks to feel at home enough to play and tackle and run and wrestle with their new doggy foster siblings. Well, Cloud – aka Mister McCloud - walked through the door, politely said “hey’ to everyone… and immediately became fast friends with the whole lot. He’s just an all around super kid. He wrestles with the wrestling kind and he chases with the ones that like to chase. He speaks Dog very well and is accommodating to his friends’ wishes. He understands when his senior foster sister tells him to leave her alone that she does not want to be bothered, so he politely gives her a quick kiss and moves on to ask someone else to play.
This boy is very affectionate too. I catch him snuggling with one of his foster brothers a lot… they take turns resting their heads on each other after playing. He loves his people very much too. After a good wrestling match or a wild backyard run, he’ll come find you and fall asleep on your feet. He’s working hard on his housetraining… and some of his manners still need some tweaking. He loves water a bit too much (even if it’s in his water bowl) and sticking his head in the trashcan is something we’re trying to break. But he’s picking up pretty quickly on what’s acceptable and what is not when inside. It seems that “inside” is all new to him and he likes it very much. He likes his chew toys but has yet to chew on anything inappropriate.
Cloud has the face of an angel – a goofy angel, mind you – but an angel nonetheless. He’ll make some family a wonderful friend. I feel that Cloud will do best with at least one other active, playful dog.
Another Update from Cloud's foster mom:
Cloud has lived with me a few months now. I must admit that I am quite smitten. He’s a very happy boy and he’s always ready for fun. Always. There are a few things though that any potential adopters must be aware of before considering him. And, as is ADS policy, I’d like to fully disclose potential “deal breakers”.
First and foremost, Cloud has a drinking problem. We didn’t want to admit it at first, but after careful monitoring, it is true. If he’s anxious or excited or stressed, he’ll gulp water excessively… and he gets so full he can’t control when he relieves himself. He becomes a sort of walking hydrant, sometimes leaving a watery trail in his path as he walks. I don’t even think he realizes he’s “going” because he’s so full of water. I swear I can hear sloshing sounds when he walks. I’ve worked with him a lot, and he has learned much self control, however if he’s all jazzed up, he has to be told to stop drinking. And, if he thinks he’s not being watched, he’ll sometimes sneak his gulps full from the bathroom or the birdfeeder… or any water reservoir that’s handy. His water consumption will probably always need to be monitored… and there is no 12-step program for doggies and water, so his new family will have to commit to working with him to ensure he doesn’t overdo it.
Cloud also suffers from a very severe case of SSS. I don’t think I have ever seen such a serious case and I would recommend strongly that his new family accept his “affliction” and try to help him be as comfortable as possible. It takes a lot of dedication to learn to live with – and sleep with – a pup with this syndrome.
I diagnosed Cloud with SSS – or Severe Snuggle Syndrome – shortly after he moved in. He loves to snuggle next to you, chew on a chewy and wind down from an afternoon of rambunctious play. Once he’s ready for beddy-bye and all ready to tuck himself in for the night, he’ll stand up, give you a thorough once-over, calculate the best spot to snuggle... and then he’ll plop onto whatever part of you he has chosen. Usually, his preferred spot is smashed tightly up against you with his head draped over you or his nose tucked securely up under your chin. If, by some unfortunate chance, one of his Golden foster brothers has already taken that spot, he’ll gladly spread himself flat out on top of you. Or, if he’s feeling goofy, he’ll stretch out directly on top of the other dog – which he frequently will use as his very own large hairy mattress.
Aside from his need for snuggles and over-watering problem, Cloud is a wonderful kid. He’s very active and needs a good amount of exercise, so a decent sized, fenced yard is definitely mandatory – and an energetic playmate or two will keep him happy and content. It’s gonna be really hard to let this one go.
