One of the most adorable, stylish and loving Capetonian doggos needs a home.
Before hearing about Atreyu’s story in full, I took a dive into the doggo’s gram @atreyu_pooch and I have to say, he is a national treasure. A gorgeous lad or a Capetonian influencer? Anyone would be lucky to have Atreyu light up their lives and homes. This is his story as told to me by Grethe Vermaak.
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Atreyu needs a new home
“It is with a very heavy heart and with great sadness that we have had to make the decision to rehome Atreyu, our male staffie/ pitbull dog, about 4 years old. We originally fostered him at the end of 2017,” she begins to explain.
The reason for rehoming Atreyu is a matter of true love – wanting better for those beings we care most about. See, Atreyu’s current family also has a male husky/ German shepherd rescue and a female Africanus.
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“Initially [Atreyu] and the male got along fine – rocky at first, but then it grew into big games and playtime. Over the last two years, however, the tension has gotten worse and Atreyu is very reactive to Bowie (the husky) – to the point where he has started fights with him. The reason he reacts is a whole other story. However, we’ve tried three different animal behaviourists over the last four years, and the home dynamic isn’t improving.”
“Atreyu is a sensitive boy, with so much love to give and a lot of his behaviour stems from anxiety or fear, and we truly believe he’d be happier as an only dog in the house,” Grethe expresses.
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“I truly believe that this environment is making him a nervous wreck and not healthy for him. I feel we’d be selfish to keep him for our own feelings as we love him so much, but I don’t think it’s his best way to live. The nerves and stress in our home are growing and we can’t live with one dog locked away in a bedroom for the next 10 plus years.”
“He is not aggressive to people, of any age. As I type this he is resting his head on my hand.”
Atreyu the love bug
“He is a love bug, a cuddle chops and just has so much love to give. He would make any home so much happier and would be your shadow and bestie. He is smart, chilled out at home, and doesn’t need to be walked everyday as long as he gets a game or two of catch/ fetch with his Kong (the only toy he won’t break haha). He loves to sleep under the duvet with you at night, but if told to go to his own bed he will!” Grethe tells.
“He just has to be the only male dog, and ideally the only dog. Definitely no cats.”
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Just seeking someone to take him on adventures
We walk him on a leash and with a harness and take him to places where we know won’t be too full (of other dogs) e.g. the Noordhoek wetlands, or around our neighbourhood, and of course weekends away. He walks well and just wants adventures, and he loves swimming.
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His first family will support you as much as they can
“Strict home checks apply, and I will also be asking the potential adopters for references etc. We are willing to help with food payment, dog training payment, vet bills etc. with the new family – we just want the best for him,” Grethe says.
If you or someone you know might be Atreyu’s next family, please contact Grethe on:
Cell: 079 529 3610
Alternatively, you can email: [email protected]
Picture: Supplied