I Had a Great Day!

Today my pen pal brought her daughter with her to play with me! Well we didn't start off by playing, first we went for a walk. We walked around the property for like 15 minutes then we hung out in an outside run for awhile and then we went inside. When we were in the special room (the closet) they took my gentle leader off and we went over the things I've been learning! I sit when I'm told to, I even give them my paw most of the time now! And I didn't jump up once! Weeeelll, maybe once, but I caught myself and got right back down! That was really good, they were really happy and said THEY WERE PROUD OF ME! NO ONE HAS EVER SAID THAT BEFORE! I hope I was able to show them how much it meant to me. I tried really hard! I was especially well behaved, I calmed down and when I played I was careful not to be too rough! They spent alot of time with me and we are getting really close! After we worked on sit and stay ( I didn't jump up even though the treat was right there!) we just hung out together. We even all sat on the floor and then I curled up on their lap and went to sleep for awhile. Apparently it's a big deal that I would sleep with them, because they kept whispering back and forth about it being a very good thing! I rolled over and got belly rubs and they kept taking pictures! I'm waiting to see how good I look! After awhile we played some more and my pen pal Deanne and her daughter Kayla said it was almost time to go but first they took me out and got my nails cut! I sure feel better since that was done! While I was waiting I saw some of the guys who work with us in the kennels. One guy said It was like I was another dog! I guess I used to jump around alot but I couldn't help it, I hardly ever got out of my cage! And I enjoyed hanging out there in the hallway and seeing other dogs that are called fosters! They get to go home with people and live in their houses until they find their own homes. I hope one day I find someone to foster me! Or maybe we could skip that step and jump right to someone adopting me! I look forward to spending more time with Deanne and Kayla and to meeting someone who will foster or adopt me!

I've Got a New Name - Cassanova - I like it!

I have had a rough life, but it seems like it is finally going to turn around, at least I hope so! My name used to be Miz and I have spent over 220 days in the shelter! I don't know why I have been overlooked but it's not for lack of trying! I would do just about anything to get your attention if you walk by my cage! My new Pen - Pal is teaching me that maybe I shouldn't do that! (Who knew!) So now I am learning to be a gentleman. I still want to give out lots of kisses (that's why I have been re-named Cassanova) but I have just about mastered not jumping up to give them to you.

When I came to the shelter I was still a young guy - about 9 months old but now I'm about a year and 4 months. I was picked up as a stray and I was really skinny, maybe that's one reason I didn't get adopted right away. I've been eating though and my new pen-pal is giving me extra meals to help me pack on a little more weight. Also I've been earning lots of special treats by learning the things she asks of me. I know sit, am learning to lay down from sit and I walk like a dream on a leash (her words not mine).

This week I have enjoyed jogging with my pen pal's husband. We run around behind the shelter and I get some of my energy out before we work on the new behaviour I am learning. It's important that I get exercise because I behave soooo good once I have let off some steam. See I've been here for most of my puppyhood and being cooped up in a cage can make you stir crazy. How did you like it when there was that bad snowstorm and you couldn't go out? I heard someone say they had cabin fever, that's what I had in here, cabin fever, so when I did go out I would be so excited that I just wanted to run all around. Now I get outside regularly and am getting lots of attention several times a week. This makes me calmer and helps me become "more adoptable". I'm not sure what that is exactly but if it means I get to go home with a new friend or family I'm all for it!

I really like my pen pal and her husband and am looking forward to spending lots of time with them...but not too much. I don't want to hurt their feelings but I'd really rather go home with someone and get out of this place. I've been here a reeeeaaaalllly long time and I heard them say I was URGENT I think that's a bad thing so... Please consider fostering or adopting me!