Ozzie has become a real lap dog, and will cuddle for hours on the couch with my husband. He loves affection- he's never very far from me, and seems to want to please so much. His other new love is chasing squirrels! I have a good sized fenced in yard, and he runs and runs with his buddies, and comes in nice and tired. I noticed something yesterday as I was out with Ozzie- he seems alot less nervous with people who have a dog with them. Maybe he figures "hey, if their dog likes the, maybe they're not so bad!"

One thing that the Barking Lot does that I love is post pictures of the dogs enjoying their play time- as you can see, Ozzie makes friends with other dogs very easily, and is really most comfortable when he's got some buddies! Now, if he could only be as friendly to creatures without fur.....it will take time and patience.

One of Ozzie's very favorite things is going for car rides- he's perfectly calm, well behaved and seems quite happy! I brought him today for another play day at the Barking Lot and I'm happy to say that he had a really great time- playing well with new friends, and greeting the staff he had met a few days ago very warmly- no barks or anxiety. I had gotten a call this morning from an interested adopter- after a few minutes, I realized that she was someone I knew! I worked with her for a few years about 10 years ago, and remembered her as a super smart, sane, practical person who I had liked a lot. She was interested in adopting a friendly companion for her family which includes 2 girls and a 2 YO puggle. She and her girls met me at the Barking Lot and of course Ozzie was anxious and barky, never relaxing enough for her to see what a sweetie he is...

And I stopped by the fire station to see my husband at work on the way home- Ozzie met 4 firefighters and a paramedic, and was actually a little more friendly than I expected- he felt comfortable enough to sit next to the paramedic, took treats- even as he barked!- and seemed overjoyed to see my husband, wagging his tail and giving him kisses.

I'm not exactly sure what the best venue to meet an interested adopter would be- but I do know that having another friendly, well balanced dog around goes a long way in helping Ozzie feel comfortable- I think that's why he bonded so quickly to my husband and I. He saw my dogs approaching us with affection, and it gave him the confidence to do the same. I'm really thinking that Ozzie needs to go to a home with at least one other dog!

Ozzie had an eventful day- I brought him to the Barking Lot, a day care/training facility that is a great friend of rescue, for a day of play and a temperament test. I can tell you that he had a great day! He loved playing with the other dogs, and I was told that he was a pleasure to work with. Sure enough, he barked like crazy at the owner, Steve, when he first arrived- but 5 minutes later Ozzie was Steve's new best buddy, giving him plenty of affection. Steve suggested to me that instead of using comfort and treats in an effort to relieve Ozzie's anxiety, I'd be better off correcting the barking with a firm "no" when he's not greeting people nicely- and to save the love and treats until he calms down and is friendly. He had no concerns that Ozzie was anything more than anxious, and feels, like I do, that he needs positive experiences with meeting new people. And I can tell you too that another friendly dog in the vicinity goes a long way in helping Ozzie to relax! Here's a picture with his best friend Pixie, who he's never more than a few feet away from. And he's a trooper! I know that Ozzie had never seen snow until he came here 10 days ago- and even with sub zero wind chills and snow on the ground, he goes right to the door when he needs to relieve himself, has not had a single accident in the house, and has adapted very, very well to the cold New England winter!

Well, I'm sorry to say that the meeting that Ozzie had with the family interested in adopting him did NOT go well! He barked and barked, even as he took treats from their hands. He made a terrible first impression! it's too bad, because they never were able to see how sweet and loving Ozzie is when he's relaxed. As you can tell, he gets along beautifully with my dogs, and is so generous with affection and kisses once he gets to know you- but the initial introduction is so stressful for him that it's going to hurt his chances of finding a loving home. I'm going to bring him to the Barking Lot on Thursday for a day of play, and a temperament test- and if he does well, I'm going to let him have a play day at least once a week- it will help him feel more comfortable out of the house, and with new people.

Ozzie and his friends Pixie and Salty Dog are ready for some football! I have to say that Ozzie is much more comfortable in the house then out in public. And meeting new people seems to be his biggest source of anxiety-we brought him down to meet my mother today and he barked and barked at her! After a few minutes, a treat and a car ride he was fine, but he's not going to do well at adoption events or meeting potential adopters. It will take a special person or family who will give Ozzie a chance to work through his anxiety and not base their opinion of him on his initial impression. Barking at strangers is certainly not something that can't be worked on but it will take some patience and lots of positive reinforcement to teach him that strangers aren't so bad. He has a family coming to meet him tomorrow, so we will see how that goes. They know that the "no talk no touch no eye contact" introduction will minimize Ozzie's stress, and I will have lots of treats handy!

Ozzie has had a really good day! My other foster dog who was very rambunctious was adopted today, and Ozzie has been much calmer since he left- and much more interactive with my dogs. He and my young female, Pixie, have been chasing each other around and playing nonstop! They have become friends and it shows me another side to Ozzie, a happy, playful, frisky side that is a joy to see. And the best news is that I received a phone call today from a family who is interested in adopting Ozzie-They are coming down to meet him on Monday so paws crossed... And if Ozzie is not the dog for them no worries. I love having him here and he can stay as long as he needs to.

This is what eating dinner with Ozzie is like! He is SUCH a beggar, and needs some direction on doggie manners! It's pretty clear to me that he's gone hungry for much of his life, and it will take time for him to realize that those days are over, and that he's going to be warm, safe, loved and wanted.

Here are a few more pics of handsome Ozzie, doing some of his favorite things- chewing a hard bone, eating his cheeseburger and being close to his person- I'm finding that he's never far away from me, and seems to want so much to please. He's quiet too- I haven't heard him bark yet- and not at all rambunctious for such a young dog. I have no idea why he ended up in a shelter, but have seen absolutely NO behavior issues that would cause someone to surrender him- in fact, he's better behaved than my own dogs. I'm happy he's here- and am in no hurry at all to get this boy adopted! He can stay with me just as long as he needs to, until we find the PERFECT home!

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Ozzie has settled in nicely! I've found that he's quiet, a little shy, and very affectionate- he's stuck to me like glue. He is getting along just fine with my dogs, but my other foster, a young male who plays pretty rough, is a little too pushy for him and he avoids contact with him completely. He has had not had a single accident in the house either! Not what I expected from a shelter dog, but I love it. You can tell too that he's gone hungry- he's so thin. His appetite is great, but he had a bad case of worms when we saved him, and had clearly not been fed well. His worms have been treated of course, and I have him on the "cheeseburger a day" diet in addition to his regular, good quality dog food so I expect he'll gain weight quickly!

Ozzie has arrived! And yes, he's nervous and a little too thin-but is a sweet sweet boy and already playing with my other foster. I will update further as I get to know him, but my first impression is that living in a home is new for him. He is sniffing absolutely everything and is uncomfortable on my hardwood floors. I know there will be an adjustment period for him But I can already tell you that he's good with other dogs, a little shy and very very handsome!

Here is a pic of a very scared Ozzie- he arrived this evening in CT, and will be arriving here by tomorrow. I'm told he is SWEET! But very scared. Who can blame him? He needs some TLC and the support of a few furry friends, and I'm confident that he'll be just fine.

Meet Ozzie! This sweet boy was saved just hours before he was to die in a gas chamber from a high kill shelter in GA. I'm told he's about 2 YO, and we're calling him a beagle/pug mix but really, who knows? What we do know is that Ozzie is SWEET! Friendly and affectionate, very playful with other dogs. He's on his way to New England and will be arriving to his foster home with me tomorrow- his petfinder profile is http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/24968500  and I'll be updating his blog as I learn more!