Casper’s foster family let us know that they have nicknamed Casper, Sketch. When he went to their house he had a bottle of medication for Lyme Disease and has not shown any outward signs in the last few weeks. From what we can tell, Casper may have some vision problems as he doesn’t always know where a treat has landed if it’s tossed on the ground and can’t always follow where it went if it has stopped rolling or bouncing. It also seems Casper may have some hearing problems as he doesn’t seem aware of footsteps, noises, or alarms.
Casper seems to like other animals and has made friends with another shiba and a toy poodle. His foster family also has cats and the first few interactions were tense. He was initially curious and watched the cats but it seems he doesn’t know how to read a cat’s body language and takes a defensive stance against a cat if it comes up to him. It’s been recommended that he not live with a cat as he may accidentally nip it and cause it some harm.
Casper does not like being crated and gets extremely upset but loves the dog bed in the dining room. He also is more at ease at night if there’s a nightlight or some moonlight for him to help see where he is going. His foster family doesn’t find this to be an inconvenience at all and understand that Casper might be nervous since his sight is questionable.
As far as friendly goes, he likes to be around people, very much, and is not demanding or needy or fussy about who is around as long as he can hang with someone. He can also make himself comfortable in another room and go to sleep – doesn’t have to always be where you are. He likes to be petted, but stands back a bit as if waiting to be invited. Sometimes he will come up and put a chin on his foster’s knee as if to ask for a pat on the head. He also will nuzzle a hand with his nose and will look at his foster’s face with soft little dog eyes. He’s a charmer from what we can tell!
His foster mom, Joanna, told us the following:
I would describe him as confident without being bossy or threatening. He is able to come into a room and make himself at home in the middle of the rug in the center of a group of people who he doesn’t know and dogs he’s just met. He will groom himself, mark the carpet with his shoulders(roll on his back in other words) and go to sleep. He sleeps very deeply. He is not easily rattled. He enjoys the world at large and he has played a bit with a tennis ball in the yard and enjoyed leaping for it within a close visual range. He is always happy to go for a walk and will leap and play a bit and also just trots along brightly.
I think any cat free home would be lucky to get this dog as he is so easy to have around and so very undemanding. If the people are also low key and undemanding, it would be a good match. Whenever you wish to interact he is happy and ready to interact, othewise he settles easily and sleeps.
I think all dogs deserve a patient loving home and this dog is no exception. He should go with gentle people with light, playful and loving hearts like him. He’s really lovely – a very “normal” dog which I think is hard to find these days!
Here’s a few pics of Casper aka Sketch!
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I had an opportunity to visit Caspar/Sketch for a week. He is a CHARMING dog. I had a chance to walk him many times. He is enthusiastic about going out and would calmly allow me to put on his collar and leash. He never pulled the leash and was happy to explore or head home, depending upon my time schedule. I didn’t hear him bark once while visiting. When we were working outdoors he was happy to join us on a lead line, exploring or sitting quietly, enjoying the fresh air. While a mature dog, he is able to be playful. I am a big fan and hope he finds a loving family. I could imagine a family looking for a first dog, but not interested in the puppy experience, being delighted to have Sketch/Caspar.