Oliver

Adopt Oliver, a gentle giant with a heart as big as he is. This handsome rescue dog is looking for a forever home where he can enjoy the comfort, care, and companionship he has always deserved.

Oliver first came to our attention after several tourists contacted us about a large dog they had repeatedly seen at a remote viewpoint on Koh Tao. Visitors were concerned about his condition and wondered whether someone could check on him.

When we visited the location, we found Oliver living in the area and relying on people nearby for his basic care. Although he had people who looked out for him, it quickly became apparent that his nutritional needs were not being fully met. Oliver is a large German Shepherd-type dog, and dogs of his size require a significant amount of food each day to maintain a healthy weight and support their joints, muscles, and overall wellbeing.

Like many dogs in Thailand, Oliver’s diet consisted largely of whatever leftovers were available. While this is common practice and often done with good intentions, it simply wasn’t enough for a dog of his size and build. Some days he would receive very small amounts of food, and at times his meals consisted mainly of scraps or fruit such as bananas. While bananas can be a healthy treat, they are not a substitute for the balanced nutrition that a large working breed requires.

Over time, Oliver became noticeably underweight. His ribs and hips were visible, and his body condition suggested that he had been struggling to receive enough calories for quite some time. We began visiting regularly, providing additional food and monitoring his condition while speaking with the people responsible for his care.

Despite his circumstances, Oliver remained one of the kindest dogs we had ever met. He greeted visitors with a wagging tail, happily accepted attention, and never showed anything but a gentle and friendly nature. It was impossible not to fall in love with him.

As the weeks passed, it became clear that Oliver needed more support than occasional food top-ups could provide. We continued discussions with his caregivers and explained that, given his size and condition, he would benefit from living somewhere that could consistently meet his nutritional and medical needs.

Thankfully, they agreed, and Oliver was surrendered into our care.

Once at the rescue, Oliver quickly settled into his new routine. One of the first priorities was helping him regain weight safely and gradually. With a balanced diet, regular meals, and ongoing monitoring, his condition steadily improved. Watching him fill out and regain strength was incredibly rewarding.

As Oliver’s physical health improved, his wonderful personality became even more apparent. He is affectionate without being demanding, friendly with people, and incredibly gentle for such a large dog. Volunteers often describe him as a “gentle giant” because of his calm nature and sweet temperament.

Like many larger breeds, Oliver is happiest when he can enjoy leisurely walks, spend time with people, and simply be part of whatever is happening around him. He enjoys attention, loves companionship, and has a relaxed, easy-going personality that makes him a pleasure to be around.

Because of his breed and age, Oliver does show some weakness in his hips, which is not uncommon in larger dogs. Maintaining a healthy weight and appropriate exercise routine will be important throughout his life, and we have already seen how much of a difference proper nutrition has made to his comfort and mobility.

Today, Oliver is healthy, happy, and ready to find a family of his own. After spending years getting by on whatever food happened to be available, he deserves a home where his needs are consistently met and where he can finally enjoy the security of belonging to someone.

If you are looking for a loyal companion with a gentle nature and a huge capacity for love, Oliver may be exactly the dog you’ve been waiting for.

Adopt Oliver and give this gentle giant the forever home he deserves.