I have become very picky about which dogs I will foster.
I have no interest in a high-energy foster dog. I do not have the patience for kennel training. I do not have the right set-up for working through separation anxiety. I don’t have the energy for a puppy. I won’t take anything that’s aggressive towards other animals, especially since I have cats.
Cosmo Kramer is the perfect foster dog for me (To foster a dog means to provide him with a loving home until he gets adopted). He is by far the easiest foster dog I’ve ever had.
Cosmo is quiet in his kennel. He prefers to lie around the house, and he could care less if I come and go.
He doesn’t bother my cats, doesn’t chew anything, doesn’t try to pee in the house. He gets along great with my mutt Ace. He does not add extra stress to my life.
Cosmo – the American Eskimo dog
Cosmo is one of those dogs who doesn’t ask for much. He’s fine with what he has.
I can see that this has worked for and against Cosmo throughout his nine years.
I didn’t get a chance to meet Cosmo’s original owner. I don’t know if Cosmo had an intense bond with this elderly person or if he spent eight or nine years as a very anxious dog – the dog he appears to be now. I don’t know if this person treated him well or treated him poorly.
I also didn’t meet the person who surrendered Cosmo to 4 Luv of Dog Rescue after the owner died. I don’t know if this person tried to make it work living with Cosmo.
What I do know – it’s painfully obvious – is that no one has ever had any expectations for this dog.
Cosmo may have been a wonderful companion. He may have been a good listener or a good walking buddy or a good snuggler. He may have been someone’s best friend.
But Cosmo has never known what it’s like to truly be a good dog.
The reason for this is that he’s fine just existing.
Cosmo naps under the kitchen table or rests in various corners of the house. He doesn’t follow me from room to room, rarely asks for attention, hardly ever barks.
But because he is not needy, I haven’t taken much time to bond with or really get to know this animal yet. I haven’t trained him or walked him as much as I normally do with my foster dogs, and he’s spent two weeks with me already.
That’s my loss, because Cosmo is a sweet dog. I see this every time he approaches me and waits for a neck or butt rub. I see this every time he accepts “noogies” or belly scratches. I see it when two or three times throughout the day, he nudges me – “oh, hai.”
On the other hand, Cosmo is an uptight creature.
Physically, he’s lazy. Mentally, he’s nervous (Aren’t we all?). He doesn’t trust me 100 percent and probably never will.
He seems to be a one-person dog, as he was likely an “only child” in his previous home and in many ways, very spoiled!
From what I’ve read about the American Eskimo breed, they are very friendly dogs, eager to please and eager to learn. Cosmo is extremely treat motivated, but he is lacking in the “eager to please” department. I’m assuming he’s never been challenged to learn, so he doesn’t understand the fulfillment most dogs get from making a person happy!
Instead, he just wants treats, and he wants them now! “Bark-bark. Yap-yap. More!”
At nine years old, Cosmo is just now catching on that working for food is not so bad. He expects treats instantly for doing anything, but I am not impressed with a one-second sit. I am, however, impressed with a five- or 10-second sit! Good boy, Cosmo! Yay!
So that’s where I’m at with him. He’s a great dog. He could take me or leave me, probably, but I still love’m 
If you or someone you know many be interested in adopting Cosmo, send an email to Lindsay@ThatMutt.com.
He is up for adoption with 4 Luv of Dog Rescue in Fargo. Check out his profile here. He is neutered and up to date on shots.
More details on COZ-O-MO!
Well, what do you want to know? I call him “Coz” for short. Or just “Mo.”
Cosmo is kennel trained, housebroken and just fine having the run of the place. He sleeps all day and all night, but he loves to go for walks any time. He doesn’t bark unless he sees a strange dog or person, or if you get out the treats!
He gets stressed easily – doesn’t do well with kids reaching for his face or with anyone who grabs at his collar. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone, but he does growl or snap when he’s uncomfortable.
He is a gentle dog, not “dominant” by any means. My cats pick on him just because they can.
Cosmo needs someone who will slowly help build his confidence, someone who will stretch his boundaries without putting too much pressure on him. He needs someone who understands how dogs really work. He doesn’t need someone who’s just going to baby him.
Cosmo needs someone to love him.
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I loved reading this post, Lindsay but it also made me a little sad because Cosmo’s traits (except for being stressed) reminded me so much of Buddy when we first adopted him. He too, didn’t know what was expected of him and was content, “just being.” When we had had Buddy for about a week, I took him to the vet and I actually told the vet that I didn’t think that this dog liked me! I was told that I just had a very mellow dog. It took almost 4 weeks for Buddy to jump into a car by himself (at 50 pounds, I was lifting him into and out of the car up until that time.) It was 6 months before he got excited in the morning when he first saw me. We have had him for almost 3 years and there are still times that he hears me come home but does not run to greet me…although I can hear the “thump, thump” of his tail. I know that he is happy and content and that he trusts me. He loves his walks and meeting new people. I hope that Coamo finds that special person that can give him the love that he needs. He sounds like a sweetie.
Aw, thanks so much for your comment. I am trying to be very patient with Cosmo. He is a sweet boy. He is kind of like Buddy in that he just minds his own business, but he takes any kind of attention you offer him
You will probably get to meet Cosmo next time Buddy visits. Buddy will be a good dog for Cosmo to learn from!
I do hope that I get to meet him!
One of my dogs is part American Eskimo and she has no doggie odors, none. What I read was that these dogs were raised to live in igloos and through the years stinky dogs were not bred. True or not, it is definitely a selling point. Even my Poodles and Chihuahua mix can emit odors. I don’t mind dog odors, but some people would prefer not to have them in their homes.
Oh I didn’t know that about the doggie odors. Interesting. I guess I’ve never noticed a dog smell from him. His breath is bad, though!
I can totally picture Cosmo living in an igloo. He has some crazy thick fur! He wishes it were winter.
Aww I hope he is adopted soon, he is very cute. I hope to eventually foster more difficult dogs when I’m older. I’ve realized if Charlie was a dog like Cosmo who didn’t challenge me I wouldn’t probably have put so much time into him. I might not even be considering careers involving animals because if I had gotten just another dog, I wouldn’t know how much there is to know about them.
Cosmo is challenging because he is scared of new people, so I’ll be checking your blog for any tips. I like the idea of reinforcing a good “watch” command no matter what. Cosmo wants to growl at every person we walk by while on a walk. It’s irritating.
I understand how irritating it is. You’re just strolling along with the cutest dog in the neighborhood and turn a corner…
haha! Yep!
In all honesty, Lindsay, Cosmo sounds as though he’s deep in loss as in bereavement or lonely or depressed. I think it would be great if he had a canine companion a similar size to him.
He doesn’t seem depressed to me. I think this is just how he is. He is an independent dog. He doesn’t seem interested in having dog friends. He mostly keeps to himself and asks for attention from me every now and then when he wants it.
lindsay,
I met Cosmo at Pet Smart a couple of weeks ago. Jamie had him out there. He didn’t seem to afraid of new people when I met him. And he was probably the mellowest dog there. I hope you find him a forever home soon! Good luck.
Jamie does a great job with him! Thanks, Shane!
Well if this post doesn’t generate some interest in Cosmo, I don’t know what will. He sounds like a nice dog. Good luck finding him a permanent home.
I hope he finds someone soon!