Santa Cosmos in the news

ARTICLE FROM EDINA PATCH:
Gentle Irish Setter Mix Would Make Perfect 'Buddy'

The seven-month-old dog is available for adoption through Edina-based rescue organization Secondhand Hounds.

by Ashle Briggs Horton

Cosmos is a bit of a mystery. He might be a mix between an Irish Setter and a Great Pyrenees—he has double dewclaws on his hind legs—but no one knows for sure. With those gorgeous ears and those eyes, though, does it really matter?

Cosmos was originally rescued by Red Lake Rosie's Rescue, a volunteer-run group based in the Red Lake Reservation in northwestern Minnesota. Red Lake Rosie's partners with a network of Twin Cities organizations, including Secondhand Hounds.
Secondhand Hounds, in turn, found a foster home for Cosmos while he waits for his forever home.

Cosmos has been living at his foster home for two months and has a few foster siblings: two other dogs and a cat. His foster mom said he "loves the dogs—they play constantly." "He respectfully ignores the cat," she said. "He's great with kids and just loves everyone he meets."

Already 50 pounds at only seven months, Cosmos is a big pup and is expected to be between 70 and 80 pounds when he is fully grown. Rachel Mairose, Director at Secondhand Hounds, said despite his size and often playful personality, Cosmos is generally cool as a cucumber.

"Cosmos is a very calm, smart, well-trained puppy," Mairose said. "He is playful, but also loves to be calm and sweet once the playing is done."

This pup would do well with someone who loves going on walks. Quick growth and poor nutrition in his early life have left him with some hip issues, which may lead to arthritis in his later life, but his current diet and herbal supplements are working well so far.

His foster mom describes Cosmos as an all-around buddy
"Office buddy. Hiking buddy. Dog park buddy. Walking buddy. Errand running buddy." And at the end of the day, he's a bit of a "couch friend."
Due to his amiable personality and tag-along tendencies, Mairose said he would make a great therapy dog.

The lucky person who provides Cosmos with his forever home won't have to do too much work with him. He is a smart dog who is house-trained, crate trained and knows the commands for sit, come and wait.

If you are interested in meeting Cosmos, visit the Secondhand Hounds website and complete an adoption application.

An Edina-based 501(c)3 nonprofit, Secondhand Hounds is run by animal loving volunteers with big hearts and passions for placing pets in their perfect homes. Founded in August of 2009, Secondhand Hounds has found forever homes for 521 animals thus far.