Rusty is available to applicants whose applications were received on or before March 11, 2025.

Rusty is a sweet and silly young golden boy!  He came to NRGRR very undersocialized but he is quickly learning that people are fantastic and he loves their attention.  He has the silliest little butt wag when he gets excited and he’s always there to greet you when you get home.  While Rusty is still learning to be the typical golden that follows you everywhere and invades your space, he’s not quite there yet.  

Rusty’s beginning included living on a large property with many other dogs.  He had very little exposure to other people and therefore was very afraid of people when he started his journey with NRGRR.  Over the time he’s been in foster, he’s opened up tremendously.  He loves to cuddle on the couch with his humans to get head scratches and belly rubs.  He loves his toys and will hoard them in his crate but he will gladly let you put them in the toy box if you want to clean up a bit.  

Speaking of crate, Rusty loves his crate.  It truly is his safe space and he gladly spends most of his time in there with the crate door open.  He’s been trusted to be left to free roam parts of the house while the foster is away or asleep but he’s been known to steal a sock or two.  But it’s only because he’s young and  a bit curious.  

Rusty is still learning how to walk on a leash.  He’s not a reactive dog while on the leash but the outside world is still unknown to him and can be a bit scary.  His foster siblings have helped him build confidence to explore the neighborhood while on a leash but he likes to take things on his own time.

His reaction to children has not been tested.  However, because he’s still learning about people, small children may be scary for him.  Older children who would accept his boundaries and are willing to let him love him on his time would be okay.  He’s still learning about different kinds of people so it may take him a moment to warm up to new people.  Once he feels like you are going to give him head scratches, he will gladly ask for more.

Rusty’s ideal home includes a home with other canine siblings that can help him continue to learn how to be a good golden boy!  He also needs a backyard.  Though he’s still working on his leash skills, his favorite place to be is in the backyard lounging under a tree.  Rusty is truly one of the happiest golden boys!  Can he wiggle into your life?