-ERNIE- Rescued from the Maricopa County shelter, he was left there by his owners who could not care for him anymore.  Ernie is extremely overweight and has some normal fatty tissue growths for his age on him.  It gives him character, he is a love and gets along with other dogs.  He is UTD on vaccines and has a clean bill of health with the exception of his wide girth.  We are working on getting his weight down and he will make someone a great companion.

From his foster mom: Ernie is a dog to make you smile. It's hard to look at his surprised expression and goofy grin and not fall for him. He came to us filthy dirty and weighing in at a portly 36 pounds. A bath and a nail clipping revealed a shiny coat and a few fatty tumors that the vet told us are benign. He's on a diet to bring him down to a more manageable 28 pounds. He'll still be a big boy but will be able to move about more freely. He's doing great on daily walks, learning not to pull. His hearing is limited but he's done well picking up hand signals. On the upside, he sleeps very soundly. There are no children in the foster home but he is friendly and inquistive to all guests and adults, children and other dogs on our walks. He is very polite and does not jump on furniture. He figured out the dog door in the home and has not had a single accident in the house. The other dogs in the home, bed hogs one and all, sleep in crates; Ernie is not entirely comfortable in a crate yet. He prefers to pancake on the floor to sleep. Speaking of pancaking, he is not fond of getting his picture taken and tends to flop on his back demanding a belly rub whenever he senses  a camera in his direction. More photos to come!