Zeus King of the Goldens is one of those dogs whose happiness is written all over his face. With his gorgeous long coat, huge glowing smile, and affectionate heart, this handsome boy has spent his entire life being loved—and now he's looking for a family ready to make sure his next chapter is just as full of it! Born August 27, 2020, Zeus is 6 years old, weighs approximately 56.4 lbs, and is believed to be a Border Collie/Golden Retriever mix. He has lived with the same owner his entire life and is being surrendered through no fault of his own. Zeus has been very well cared for, and finding a home that will love him just as deeply is incredibly important to everyone who knows him! Watch Zeus in action, then come back to ready more! Zeus is a wonderfully well-balanced dog. He's smart, affectionate, playful, and fairly quiet, with an easygoing side that makes him just as happy relaxing with his people as he is heading outside for some fun. He can be a little reserved when first getting to know someone, but give him a little time and you'll discover the biggest snuggle bug underneath all that beautiful fur. Once Zeus decides you're his person, personal space becomes optional. He loves belly rubs, massages, cuddles, and affection, and he's perfectly happy stretching his entire 56-lb body across his owner's lap as though he's still a tiny puppy. His smile seems to take over his entire face when he's happy, and it's almost impossible not to smile right along with him. Then bring out a ball and you'll see another side of Zeus. Fetch is one of his absolute favorite things. He loves spending time outside, running around, playing, and simply enjoying the fresh air alongside his person. In his familiar environment, Zeus does wonderfully without a leash. He doesn't try to take off, stays connected to his owner, and responds when called. A home with a backyard where he can continue enjoying that freedom would be a wonderful fit for him. He's also an excellent car passenger. His owner's vehicle doesn't have traditional back seats, so Zeus is accustomed to riding in a more open setup and handles car rides without any issues. And despite that luxurious long coat, grooming doesn't have to be an ordeal—Zeus does well with both bathing and grooming. Zeus has spent his life as part of a pack, but meeting unfamiliar dogs is something he's still building confidence with. During his behavior assessment, being introduced to several new dogs of different sizes and personalities became a little overwhelming. Rather than escalating when he was uncomfortable, Zeus consistently chose to create distance and calmly remove himself from the situation. That's an important part of who Zeus is. He's a conflict-avoidant dog who would rather walk away than argue. Interestingly, our small dog brought out more curiosity in him. Zeus voluntarily approached, sniffed, and showed interest in getting acquainted—more engagement than he offered some of the other unfamiliar dogs. He's accustomed to living around other dogs, but new canine friendships should happen slowly and thoughtfully, allowing Zeus to build confidence at his own pace. Continued positive socialization would help him become more comfortable meeting new dogs without overwhelming him. Zeus could potentially share his forever home with the right canine companion, but he doesn't need a house full of new dog friends to be happy. A respectful dog and thoughtful introduction would be much more his style than being thrown into a busy, high-energy pack. Cats, however, are not a match for Zeus, so his forever home will need to be feline-free. His leash manners are another area where a little continued practice will go a long way. Zeus is accustomed to having plenty of freedom outdoors, so structured leash walking isn't quite as natural to him yet. He's an intelligent boy, though, and with consistency and positive practice, he has plenty of potential to polish those skills. Zeus also experiences some separation anxiety. He has spent all six years of his life with the same owner and familiar pack, so losing everything he has always known will understandably be a significant transition. His new family should be prepared to give him patience, consistency, and reassurance while he learns that his new home and people aren't going anywhere. What Zeus really wants from life isn't complicated. Throw the ball. Rub the belly. Let him enjoy the backyard. Take him along for a car ride. Let all 56 lbs of him climb into your lap when he decides it's cuddle time. And when he flashes that enormous Zeus smile at you, you'll understand exactly why this boy is so loved. Zeus isn't starting over because he did something wrong. He's simply a well-loved dog whose circumstances have changed, and now he needs someone willing to give him the security of belonging to a family again. If you're looking for a smart, affectionate, playful, beautifully balanced companion who can spend the afternoon playing fetch and the evening being your oversized snuggle buddy, Zeus King of the Goldens may be ready to make your home his new kingdom! Submit your adoption application today! Apply Here: Questions? Email kristin@threelittlepittiesrescue.org We facilitate adoptions nationwide using our rescue run USDA certified transport system, ensuring every pet travels safely and comfortably with 24/7 care. Our transport includes drop off locations, in WA, UT, OR, ID, VA, PA, OH, NY, CT, VT, TN, KY, WI, MN, IL, WI and Canada (pick up in Bellingham, WA, Buffalo, NY or Brattleboro, VT for for Canadian adopters). You will have the opportunity to track their journey in real time, see photo updates, learn fun facts, connect with fellow adopters and fosters through our private Facebook event page! Before the adoption is finalized, you will meet your pet through a video call, creating a fun and personalized experience! The adoption fee is $1,600 and includes all vetting (DAPP with booster, Bordetella, Rabies vaccine, multiple broad spectrum deworming treatments, spay/neuter, flea prevention, a 12 month heartworm preventative injectable, heartworm test and treatment if needed, a microchip with free lifetime registration, a high quality nylon Martingale collar, a health certificate deeming the pup healthy for travel, cost of transport*, and priceless years of love and loyal companionship! We proudly have over 17,000 successful adoptions and excellent Google Reviews: https://g.co/kgs/UQ5Pyai We care deeply about creating lasting matches between dog and family for long term success, and take the time to ensure each adoption is a fit through our matchmaking process. At our 2 acre Texas based property, we assess every animal with trainers on staff, we modify behavior as needed, and create individualized behavior plans to help prepare dogs for their future families including crate training, potty training, leash walking, etc. Our fosters are able to attend group training and socialization play groups helping them stay confident, well rounded, and adoption-ready. Our on-site trainers are dedicated to each dog’s growth and we enjoy seeing their progress! We go above and beyond to ensure every animal receives exceptional care. Veterinarians consistently praise our medical standards. From routine care to advanced treatments, each dog receives personalized attention. Hard costs for a healthy dog range from $804-$920; heartworm-positive dogs or those needing specialized care can exceed $2,000+. Adoption fees help cover a portion of these expenses, but without government funding, we rely on fundraising to bridge the gap—ranging from $100–$1,000+ per dog. Our adoption fees reflect the extensive care and resources that go into each animal we save. The adoption fee is a donation to the mission and goes far beyond getting a fully vetted pet. It doesn’t stop there! Our adopters also receive these SPECIAL PERKS: -Extensive behavioral testing and information from trainers on our staff to ensure the perfect fi...