Animal Profile

Papa Smurf is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Papa Smurf displays fearful and defensive behavior, including growling, snarling, lunging, and allowing minimal handling. Papa Smurf has been displaying similar behaviors particularly when approached in the kennel. He also shows avoidance of interaction, and limited interest in food or enrichment during interactions with staff. Papa Smurf can be leashed and likes to explore outside, but is struggling to acclimate in the care center. Medically, Papa Smurf has a soft subcutaneous mass on the right side of his face.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Papa Smurf is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Papa Smurf displays fearful and defensive behavior, including growling, snarling, lunging, and allowing minimal handling. Papa Smurf has been displaying similar behaviors particularly when approached in the kennel. He also shows avoidance of interaction, and limited interest in food or enrichment during interactions with staff. Papa Smurf can be leashed and likes to explore outside, but is struggling to acclimate in the care center. Medically, Papa Smurf has a soft subcutaneous mass on the right side of his face. Papa Smurf came into the care center as a stray. Due to this, his behavioral history in a home environment is unknown. Papa Smurf has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has allowed only minimal handling since intake. We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 72 lbs

Medical Notes

2/24/2026

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5yrs Microchip noted on intake? scans negative History: surrendered off site and transported to ACC- noted to be very fearful about entering crate for transport Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - tentative at first but came out of crate on his own, tolerated handling. Sedated due to need for more involved treatment of otitis. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? no Objective: P = 70 (sedated) R = 36 BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear with injected sclera OU, shaking head frequently on presentation, ears malodorous with moist ceruminous debris AU and frank blood from wound on distal pinna AS, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Minimal due to muzzle; clean incisors and canines PLN: soft fluctuant swelling in region of right submandibular LN H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI; 2 testicles descended MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, overgrown nails, sparse haircoat on dorsum, interdigital moist erythema CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally normal Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: Approx. 5yr MI canine Otitis AU Sparse haircoat on dorsum (r/o infectious (demodex vs other mites vs flea allergy) vs inflammatory/allergy/atopy) Moist interdigital erythema Soft fluctuant swelling right submandible (r/o lymphadenopathy vs sialoceole) High FAS Prognosis: good Plan: Sedated with dexdomitor 10mcg/kg + torb 0.2mg/kg IM Ear cleaning and apply simplera AU Deep skin scrape (x) no mites seen Clean all 4 paws with dilute chlorhex and apply duoxo chlorhex mousse FNA of soft fluctuant swelling right submandible (x) serosanguinous fluid obtained, accidentally discarded by staff Start trazadone 7mg/kg (250mg) PO BID indefinitely Start gabapentin 20mg/kg PO BID (600mg) for pain and FAS Recheck skin and right submandibular swelling in 5 days Reversed with equal volume antesedan SURGERY: Okay for surgery

3/5/2026

recheck facial swelling, brought into medical S/O BAR, A+A, no c/s/v/d appreciated EENT: no ocular or nasal dc, AU appear clear PLN: approx baseball sized fluctuant swelling to the R submandibular LN region- p allows for palpation, appears comfortable HL: eupneic MSI: amb x 4, sparse haircoat over the dorsum A. Swelling by R submandibular LN- r/o sialoceole vs lymphadenpathy P. Sedated FNA schedule in 3-4 days pending staffing CTM size Recheck with sedated exam/FNA

3/9/2026

P is unaltered. Rec monitoring submandibular mass and performing FNA at time of neuter. CTM at QACC, recheck in 2 weeks to monitor size of swelling

3/10/2026

Progress exam: Rejected from sx due to CIRDC signs Subjective: BAR, no S/V/D. Soft cough noted Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Move to iso, ppe sign & monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline 10mg/kg PO q24h x10days -CTM, recheck in 3 days

3/10/2026

Scheduled for neuter and FNA today, but coughing/CIRDC signs noted. Canceled surgery, start CIRDC treatment.

3/17/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC day 7 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:3 empty bowl present Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge noted MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days for resolution

3/19/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC day 10 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:3 per log, untouched medication seen & noted on rounds board. Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC appears resolved PLAN: Per standing orders -Move out of iso, signage placed -CTM on daily rounds while in QACC

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 2/24/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(Unknown History)

Date of assessment:: 2/28/2026

Summary:: 2/28/26: Due to Papa Smurf's fearfulness and allowing minimal handling, a handling assessment will not be condcuted at this time.

Summary:: Due to Papa Smurf entering the facility as a stray, there is no known history of interactions with other dogs prior to intake. 02/28/26: Papa Smurf was introduced to two novel female dogs. During the first introduction, Papa Smurf approached with a stiff frame, a low head posture, and a swaying tail. When the female became reactive, he retreated and engaged in displacement scenting. A second novel female was then introduced. Papa Smurf displayed a softer frame, approached the gate with a wagging tail, and climbed the gate. He marked and began whining, with frustration increasing as evidenced by hyper-salivation. Both dogs were separated, concluding the interaction

Summary (7):: 3/18/26: Papa Smurf is seen to be growling at the back of his kennel, and as the handler fixes his kennel plastic cover, he will lunge at the door, snarl and snap towards the handlers hands before they left him alone due to his reaction. 3/13/26: Papa Smurf is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed and is then taken to the behavior room for his assessment. In the room, he has a tense body and widened eyes. He would back away from the handlers to avoid being collared. He has no interest in treats or toys. Due to this, his assessment is unable to be completed. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 3/4/26: Papa Smurf is at the front of the kennel with his tail tucked but he wags it briefly as the handler unlocks the door. He is leashed with ease and will exit his kennel slowly. He will then pull mildly out to the sidewalk. He will sniff around and relieve himself. The handler will coax him over to them but he will continue to sniff. He is brought back to his kennel with no issue. 2/27/26: Papa Smurf is standing in his kennel as handler approaches. He begins to wag his tail as the handler offers him treats and is able to be leashed with ease. He is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he has a tense body as he walks ahead of the handler to explore. He would hard stare at dogs that were close by and is able to continue walking as they passed by. He is able to slowly return back to his kennel with no issues. 2/26/26: Papa Smurf is laying down on his bed with a tense body as handler approaches. He comes forward to the front with a tense body and begins to wag his tail as the handler speaks to him and offers him treats. He does not take the treats and is able to be slowly leashed with no issues. He is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he has a tense body as he walks ahead of the handler to explore. He would hard stare at dogs that were close by and is able to continue walking as they passed by. He would lip lick and whale eye as the handler goes to clip their leash and is able to slowly return back to his kennel with no issues.

Date of intake:: 2/24/2026

Summary:: was whale eyeing, hard staring, trembling and low growling.

Date of initial:: 2/24/2026

Summary:: - tentative at first but came out of crate on his own, tolerated handling.

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Papa Smurf so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. However, he will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We reccomend Papa Smurf be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Papa Smurf came into the care cneter as a stray. Due to this, his behavioral history in a home environment is unknown. Papa Smurf has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has allowed only minimal handling since intake. We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Papa Smurf is noted to be whale eyeing, hard staring, trembling, and low growling in his kennel. Training should focus on slow, low-pressure kennel approaches, reinforcing calm behavior at a distance, and gradually desensitizing him to kennel-front interactions to reduce escalation. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.