Meet Romeo

COURTESY POST: Romeo is not in the care of Made a Promise Rescue. He is being fostered through Always & Furever and all adoption inquiries, applications, and placement decisions for Romeo are handled directly by Always & Furever.

Romeo may look like a big, serious guy, but it doesn't take long to figure out that there's an 80-pound teddy bear underneath.

His foster family actually calls him "Big Bear" because of the way he rubs his whole body against people like a bear rubbing against a tree, usually accompanied by some of his signature grumbles. He has a big bark and an impressive appearance, but the tail wagging behind all that noise usually gives him away. Romeo loves people, loves attention, and would be perfectly happy spending his days rolling around in the grass, taking naps, and finding someone willing to let an 80-pound dog pretend he's lap-sized.

Before coming to Always & Furever, Romeo had been waiting for months at a rescue in Oklahoma without receiving any adoption interest. Now he's in a foster home where everyone has gotten to see just how easy and lovable this big guy really is.

At a Glance

Energy: Low

Training: House trained, kennel trained, and knows "sit," "stay," and "speak."

Dog Friendly: Yes, including small and young dogs.

People Friendly: Absolutely

Kid Friendly: Yes, although his size and strength may be a lot for very small children.

Cat Friendly: Unknown

Medical: Romeo requires daily eye ointment for dry eye, which he will need for the rest of his life. He accepts his medication very well. He has also experienced allergies at times and has responded well to Cytopoint.

Personality

Romeo is a gentle giant with an old soul. He's affectionate without being demanding, social without needing to be in the middle of everything, and about as low maintenance as an 80-pound dog can be.

He enjoys attention from his people and will happily rub his big body against you when he's looking for some love. He likes being outside, especially when there's a good patch of grass available for rolling, but he's just as content heading back inside for a nap afterward.

His foster describes him as one of the easiest dogs they've ever had.

In the Home

Romeo has settled easily into foster life. He lives with multiple dogs of different sizes and ages and gets along well with everyone. He sleeps through the night on his dog bed, is completely house trained, and is kennel trained.

He doesn't require constant entertainment or activity. Romeo is very content simply being part of the household and spending time near his people.

With Other Dogs

Romeo gets along well with other dogs, including small dogs and younger dogs. He's generally pretty independent and doesn't need another dog to keep him entertained, but he's comfortable sharing his home with canine friends.

Most of the time, he's happy to keep to himself and relax. Every once in a while, if the mood strikes him, he'll join in for a little play.

A compatible dog could certainly be part of Romeo's future home, but he would also be perfectly happy soaking up all the attention as the only dog.

With People

Romeo loves people.

He may initially greet someone with his big bark, which combined with his size can make him seem intimidating. Meanwhile, his tail is usually wagging and he's waiting for the opportunity to get some attention.

Once introductions are out of the way, Romeo's much more interested in being petted, rubbing against you, and seeing whether you've realized yet that he's actually a lap dog.

With Kids

Romeo loves kids and enjoys their attention. His size is the main consideration.

At approximately 80 pounds, he's a big, strong dog who may simply be too much for very small children, even though his intentions are friendly.

With Cats and Small Animals

Romeo hasn't been evaluated with cats or other small animals, so his compatibility with them is currently unknown. His foster feels he may do well with cats based on his generally calm personality, but this has not been tested.

Training & Care

Romeo comes with quite a few of the household basics already figured out. He's house trained, kennel trained, sleeps through the night, and knows "sit," "stay," and "speak."

He can be strong on leash, so his future adopter needs to be comfortable handling a large, powerful dog.

Romeo also has dry eye and requires eye ointment every day. This will be lifelong care, but thankfully he's very good about having his medication administered. He has experienced allergies at times as well and has responded well to Cytopoint injections when needed.

Ideal Home

Romeo would love a relatively low-key home with people who appreciate a big dog with an easygoing personality. A yard where he can enjoy one of his favorite activities, rolling around in the grass, would make him especially happy.

He can live with other compatible dogs but doesn't need a canine companion. What Romeo really wants is his people. He'd be perfectly content with someone who wants a big bear of a dog nearby, has plenty of pets to give, and doesn't mind when their 80-pound roommate decides he belongs in their lap.

His adopter should also be comfortable managing his strength on leash and committed to continuing his lifelong eye medication.

A Note from His Foster

Romeo is one of the easiest dogs we've ever had.

He's incredibly handsome, an absolute gentleman, and such a sweet old soul. His appearance and big bark can intimidate people before they know him, but once they actually meet Romeo, they get to see the big, affectionate bear underneath.

Romeo's Highlight

There is something pretty great about an 80-pound dog who looks intimidating until he walks over, starts wagging his tail, rubs his entire body against you like a bear on a tree, and makes it very clear that he'd like some attention now.

Romeo doesn't need a complicated life. Give Big Bear his people, a patch of grass to roll in, a comfortable place to nap, and plenty of love, and you've got one very happy dog.

Interested in Romeo?

Romeo is a courtesy post for Always & Furever. He is not in the care of Made a Promise Rescue and will not be adopted through MPR. All applications, adoption decisions, and placement arrangements are handled directly by Always & Furever.

To learn more about Romeo or apply to adopt him, please visit his adoption listing through Always & Furever - https://www.alwaysandfurever.org/dog-adoption-in-kansas-city/#sl_embed&page=shelterluv_wrap_1731340918%2Fembed%2Fanimal%2FAFL-A-17414