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Tank is ‘waiting for his life to start’ By Buffy Pollock Updated: Dec 29, 2022 05:13 PM A A The black lab has been at the shelter longer than any other canine Volunteer Katie Ortlip plays with Tank at the Jackson County Animal Shelter Thursday. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] Tank takes a breath while playing Thursday at the shelter in Talent. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] Little if anything seems to dampen the unwavering enthusiasm of a forgotten black lab named Tank, who has been at the Jackson County Animal Shelter longer than any other shelter canine. Having been passed up by countless potential families and languishing at the shelter since August, the dog with an unusual notch in his ear is grateful for the tiniest shred of affection. His high energy might indicate a hint of kennel stress, but he’s not one to sit around and waste his life being sad. Eighty-plus pounds of sheer enthusiasm, he’d be a great match for someone who likes long walks and playing ball. Shelter Manager Kim Casey said honesty is the best policy with high energy dogs. Black lab exuberance is something that must be prepared for or sought after. If Tank were on a matchmaking site, he’d post a photo of himself catapulting after a ball or enthusiastically barking at new friends. “He’s not a lazy dog who’s going to spend his time lying at your feet. He’s a black lab. He’s an extremely happy and an extremely enthusiastic dog. He’s happy, like, all the time,” Casey said. Tank was rescued from a cruelty case in August, held as evidence and made available for adoption in September. “He was found in a home that the Medford Police Department went into with Child Protective Services. Our animal control officer described the apartment as one of the nastiest places he’d ever been into,” Casey said. “When he was found in the home, there were two small dogs that had been left in a crate that had died. He was not confined in a crate when he was picked up, but he was confiscated as a result of that situation.” Tank wasn’t in bad condition physically, Casey noted, but had picked up some characteristics from being bored, Casey said, and is “waiting for his life to start.” A gate opener and fence climber, Tank “wants to see the world, and he’s tired of waiting to do so,” Casey said. “He’s curious and overly excited at times. He needs the kind of person who either their energy level matches his energy level, or they’ve got so much for him to do that it gives him a chance to calm down and decompress.” Casey said the shelter advises on a system of three, three, three. “Basically, it takes three days for an adopted animal to come out of their shell, three weeks to settle into a new environment, and three months to adjust to a new life,” she said. As of now, Tank’s life revolves around three to four walks per day, which he’s always “super excited about, every single time,” Casey said. “He’s not even remotely bothered by other dogs, but his biggest characteristic is, when they take him out on a leash, he barks the entire time until they get him to the play yard. He’s not aggressive. It’s just him talking. … You know when they’re taking Tank out for a walk, because he’s telling the whole world about it.” Casey added, “They’ve tried giving him a toy to carry, to redirect him and maybe get him to shush, but he has something to say and he’s going to say it.” Animal control officer Mike Slusarczyk, who rescued Hank from his previous living situation, said the dog was immediately friendly, happy and grateful from day 1. With some consistency and basic training, Slusarczyk and Casey say, Tank could evolve into a slightly less rambunctious adult dog. Potential adopters should have Tank meet other dogs in the home to ensure similar energy levels. “Right now, he’s like a bull in a china shop. ... Even with as much as he gets walked — two, three, four times a day — it’s hard to know who he’ll settle into once he’s got a permanent home and somebody to love him.” Don’t get him because he’s cute, Casey insisted. Get him because of his zest for life and his ride-or-die approach to life. “He’s so enthusiastic, and the thing that endears him to volunteers is he just exudes this ‘I wanna go out and I wanna do stuff’ attitude,” Casey said. “Kind of whatever life’s handed to him — or hurled at him — he’s decided to take advantage of it!” As part of a push to find a family for Tank, his adoption fee has been prepaid in memory of Friends of the Animal Shelter supporter Lamont Bender. Adopters will need to pay only a $25 dog license fee if they live inside Jackson County. Trainers could be made available to donate a complimentary session to consult with Tank’s new family. To schedule a time to see Tank at the Jackson County Animal Shelter, 5595 S. Pacific Highway, call 541-774-6654 and press 5 for adoption information. Reach reporter Buffy Pollock at 541-776-8784 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @orwritergal.