Meet Gomez Gomez came to us with two other pups, and unfortunately they didn’t get the chance to experience much of the world early on. Because of that, Gomez is very under-socialized and will need time, patience, and a calm environment to truly decompress — but beneath the uncertainty is a very sweet, gentle soul. Gomez is a 1-year-old, 18-pound Jack Russell Terrier mix, and he is deaf. Because of his hearing impairment and lack of early exposure, everything around him is still very new — but he is learning and trying every single day. He has never been leashed before, so we are slowly and kindly teaching him all the things he missed out on as a puppy: leashes, routine, handling, and trust. Considering how overwhelming shelter life can be, he’s doing very well. A few important things to know about Gomez: very sweet, just unsure deaf and will need an adopter familiar with (or willing to learn about) deaf dogs jumps up when excited (pure enthusiasm, not aggression) older children only at this time — we want to avoid accidentally scaring or scratching a small child and setting Gomez up for failure dog friendly has not been cat tested because he’s still unaware of his surroundings, a fenced-in yard would be a huge plus Please note: this is not a dog you bring home and immediately have a lot of company over to “show off” your new pup. When we talk about the 3-3-3 rule, we truly mean it — especially for unsocialized dogs like Gomez. Slow, quiet, structured transitions are essential. Because of this, we will only be accepting experienced adopters or fosters who understand decompression and are comfortable working with behaviors like these. We truly believe there is a hidden gem in Gomez — he just needs the right person willing to let him unfold at his own pace. Availability: Gomez will not be available for placement for a few weeks, but we are accepting applications at this time to find the best possible match. If you’re interested in fostering or adopting Gomez, submit an application to: Healthyheartsproject.org/adopt A team member will be in touch within 24–48 hours. The right home will change his whole world. Location 909 Martin Luther King Blvd., Warren, OH