Pika

Description

_________ B I O ______________  Name: Pika Size:  ~Large range:  61-100 lbs  Adoption Donation:  $75 - $25* = $50 (applicable sales tax included). Adoption fees may be paid by cash or check.  *A donation of $100 was given by Valley Imports towards Pika's adoption fee. Other:  Neutered Male, Vaccinations current, Microchip, No Other Pets,  No Children, Fenced-in yard required. **Pika has been diagnosed with allergies of unknown origin. He is currently on Apoquel  a 16mg  tablet once every 24 hours. The cost of this is around $86 per month. The adopter should be aware that allergies can change and changes in the treatment plan/medications may become necessary. Pika is ready to light up your life!   Foster Home Feedback  ** No Other Pets,  No Children, Fenced-in yard required 9/1/2026 Volunteer Feedback: As I write this, Pika is happily snoozing on his blanket at the end of his couch at the lake. I am able to hijack him from the shelter every week and give him 3 relaxing days and nights in a home. He is just the best boy in a home setting, and these are some of the things he excels at: - Rides perfectly in a vehicle - Never any potty accidents or marking even though lots of dogs have been here - Absolutely no begging and so polite with great house manners (no counter surfing) - Pika is a quiet dog…never whines and can go days without a bark - Loves everyone he meets— no stranger danger - I have not had to kennel him when I leave…he just relaxes on his couch and snoozes - Pika walks nicely loose leash or at your side. - Ignores people/bikes/runners on walks. If I do stop and speak to someone then he is happy to meet them.  - Pika loves a short game of fetch and will drop the ball.  - He is not destructive with soft toys - He is going on 6 years old and as befits a gentleman his age…he naps a lot!   - He takes treats so gently.  - Pika matches my activity level…if I am busy doing something in the house, he is happy to watch or nap. The same goes when I’m outside gardening. He is on a tie out at the lake and is content just laying on a blanket on the patio.  - I initially kenneled him at night and he was quiet …but it is just he and I here at the lake and I could tell he was used to sleeping in a bed in his prior life. So I caved and he now sleeps practically motionless at the foot of my bed until I get up.  - Pika is not a door dasher; he politely waits until I tell him, “Let’s go”.   - I have taken Pika to a couple of vet appointments, and he is very cooperative with vets and poking and probing procedures. Just a week ago he got pretty itchy…so many weeds going to seed this time of year…so now he is taking an Apoquel daily. Hopefully when cooler fall weather arrives and weeds go dormant, he will be able to go off this med. Prior to last week he was just taking a Zyrtec OTC antihistamine daily.  Because Pika wants to be an only pet…I want you to know he is not aggressive when he sees other dogs. (Unless they go bananas at him).  This summer we did an outdoor class with 7 other dogs who also want to be a one and only. He did so well!  I will be happy to teach you techniques as would other 4 Luv behavior volunteers. I have also been working with Pika on getting accustomed to wearing a muzzle and that is going well. I don’t muzzle him on our long daily walk as we rarely see other dogs…but we practice on shorter walks because it can be a really great skill for selective dogs to have for certain situations like vet visits.  Pika likes to play tug with toys. I’m not a big fan of tug but will do it with a long rope toy occasionally because he so enjoys it. Like many dogs he will try to move his mouth closer to my end and you have to be aware as he grabs pretty hard with his teeth. That is why I think he would do best with older kids who understand this.  Pika has been living at the shelter many months and it is stressful, isolating and taking a toll on him. I’m so glad I am retired and able to rotate taking my own foster dog and Pika to the lake. I adore him and so hope someone will soon foster or adopt him!     7/13/26 Volunteer Feedback: I found out that Pika loves tug of war! He would say he prefers it over fetch. He also loves to play tag outside as well. He is a handsome boy with a million dollar smile (as shown in pictures!) His fur is very soft and he would sit still for pets anytime! One of Pika’s stand out qualities is his intelligence. He understands and follows commands very well. He doesn’t jump on you when you greet him either.  7/12/26 Volunteer Feedback: Pika and I have had a week full of new and very positive experiences. We started off with a vet visit on Tuesday and he was a very cooperative patient during a blood draw and a painful deep swab, cleaning and treatment of a sore ear. Early Wednesday morning I picked Pika up from the shelter and he went with me to Corwin to get my car serviced. While there he met many strangers, both employees and other customers. They all were surprised such a friendly and well behaved dog was homeless. I was so proud of him!  Before I brought him back to the shelter, I took him for a long sniff walk at Lindenwood Park.  Pika knows both how to “heel” and also to walk “loose leash”, and he ignored other dogs and even the squirrels.  We closed out our day at Oak Grove Park for a reactive dog obedience class.  Pika was absolutely perfect walking and relaxing very close to the other dogs. Pika is rocking this class and again…I am so proud of him!  Right after the class ended we were off to my lake cabin so Pika can get a break from shelter living.  As soon as we got there Pika was sooo happy to jump up on his blanket on the couch and promptly fall asleep.  Thursday and Friday we took naps, played short games of fetch, enjoyed playing with his favorite squeaky stuffed toys and took walks. We’ve been spending two days each week at the lake and Pika has impeccable house manners at both the cabin and at my home in Moorhead.   Our last activity yesterday was to meet golfers participating in the Doggy Poo Crew scramble benefitting 4 Luv of Dog. Again, Pika met everyone with tail wags and pure happiness, happy to gently take treats. I am so glad I’m retired and have extra time to spend with Pika. He is so lovable, well behaved and quiet and I hope you will consider adding this happy dog to your home.     6/19/26 Volunteer Feedback: Pika is a wonderful male dog who has been living at the shelter for several months, waiting for a foster without other pets. He was an owner surrender, an innocent victim of divorce. As a shelter volunteer and since I’m retired, I often take him for extra outings and little trips.  I have just had a delightful time with Pika at the lake for a couple of days. He is relaxed, slept quietly in his kennel, does not beg for food or counter surf and is not pushy for attention. When I am busy he just relaxes, is appropriate when I engage playing with toys, and stays on “his” blanket on the couch for the most part.  I had to run over to a neighbor’s down the beach for 20 minutes and he just relaxed on his blanket…no barking and didn’t get into anything. I'm thinking he may not need to be kenneled when adopted.  Before bringing him back to the shelter I gave him a bath at my home in town and can add he was an angel for that as well. He is 100 percent house trained and a very quiet dog too.  Although Pika does not want to live with another animal, he has successfully gone on pack walks with other dogs.   If you are looking for a very human friendly dog as a companion and buddy, please consider Pika. He is not high energy and very well behaved. Please!     5/27/26 Volunteer Feedback:  Pika is such a sweet dog with a true go‑with‑the‑flow personality. If you’re ready for a walk, he’s happy to join you, but if it’s a lounge‑around-the-house kind of day, he’s perfectly content to relax by your side. Pika loves his toys, and he’ll toss them in the air and shake them around while he plays. It’s adorable! He’s a great walker, and one of the best parts of being out on a walk with him is watching his ears bounce with every step. Pika would make a wonderful addition to any home where he can be the only pet. He’s sweet, playful, and full of love! 5/11/26 Volunteer Feedback:  I get the pleasure to work with Pika at the shelter. He is a fun pup that is a great walker, but also loves to toss a bone, and hang by people and chill. I think he’d be a great companion for someone who wants that fun partner but also can chill and just be together with him.  4/20/26 Temporary Care Feedback: I have taken Pika for two kennel breaks, and both times he has loved to explore outside. Every once in a while he would come over and check in, get some pets, then go back to  exploring and listening very alertly to everything outside. Pika  was happy to tag along to do some chores in the garden and play a little fetch on the way. His little ears flop up and down when he runs, which is very cute. We wiped the mud off his paws without any trouble, and Pika settled quietly in the backseat for the drive back.  I have not heard him bark and he takes treats very gently. Pika  is a very good boy that would love to join your family!