<p>Hi. I'm Duke. I'm an 18-pound schnauzer with a bite record, a muzzle, and absolutely zero interest in your small talk.<br />I do not like strangers. I do not want to meet you. I do not want to smell your hand. I do not care that you "grew up with dogs." I have a muzzle and a file and I am not afraid to use either. If you are not my person, you are a suspicious NPC and I will treat you accordingly.</p> <p>What I like:</p> <p>Other dogs. Love 'em. Dogs get it. Dogs don't try to shake my paw uninvited or make kissy noises at me like I'm some kind of carnival attraction.</p> <p>My muzzle. It's my emotional support hardware. I wear it because I am a gentleman with boundaries and also because I have made mistakes. We do not dwell on the past. We wear PPE and move forward.<br />What I need:</p> <p>An adult-only home with someone who understands that "stranger danger" is not a cute phrase to me, it is a lifestyle</p> <p>A person who will advocate for me in public without apology: "No, you cannot pet him. Yes, he is cute. No, that does not entitle you to his personal space."</p> <p>Another dog would be great. I am a social guy. Just... with dogs. Not you. Yet. Maybe eventually. Probably not.</p> <p>Patience with introductions. I may need some adjustment time with my animal friends. I don't just throw myself into dog friendshipsI am not a canine extrovert. I am a slow-burn romance. Think Pride and Prejudice , not The Bachelor .<br />What I offer:</p> <p>The kind of loyalty that comes from being earned , not given away free to anyone with a treat pouch</p> <p>A built-in social filtermy presence automatically removes people who don't respect consent</p> <p>Proof that a bite history is not a death sentence, it's a management plan</p> <p>Deep, meaningful friendships with the select few I decide are worthy<br />I am not a dog park dog. I am not a "meet my friends" dog. I am a project with a heart of gold and a mouth of liability. If you want a dog who loves everyone indiscriminately, I am not your guy.<br />But if you want a scruffy grey shadow who will love you fiercely, protect your home enthusiastically, and teach the world that not every dog exists for public consumption?</p> <p><strong>Apply within. No unannounced visitors. Muzzle stays on until further notice.</strong></p> <p>Our adoption fee helps offset the cost of preparing our guests to enter a forever home! While expenses for each animal varies, the average healthy dog or cat receives $500 in medical treatment between intake and adoption. Variables in the cost are conditional based on guest needs with some topping out at thousands of dollars.</p> <p>Our adoption always includes:</p> <p>Basic health and wellness check by trained vet staff<br />Spay/Neuter<br />Microchip with registration<br />Up-to-date on vaccinations (including rabies vaccine)<br />Deworming, heartworm prevention and flea control<br />Basic Groom/Bath<br />Feline leukemia/FIV Combo test<br />Heartworm test<br />Post Adoption Benefits:<br />Complementary veterinary wellness exam from AllPets Veterinary Clinic<br />30-day free pet insurance policy from Trupanion<br />30-day subscription to DOGtv<br />LIFEtime Commitment from LIFEHouse for Animals<br />LIFEtime Pet Companion Support from LIFEHouse for Animals</p> <p>A best friend for life!</p> Please visit our website https://www.lifehouse4animals.org to learn more about this amazing pet and to see other available dogs and cats.