But I Like THIS One!

Joey continues to amuse us with his childlike ways. More than once, when Elsie has lied down on the bed Joey prefers, he just squeezes in beside her. Luckily, she's good natured and doesn't seem to mind to cuddle. (Notice the equally large and empty bed right beside the one they're on.)

He went to his first Murfreesboro Petsmart Meet & Greet Sunday and did a good job, though he still didn't relish the car ride. He enjoyed taking treats from visitors and getting some extra ear rubs.

Naughty AND Nice!

Well, today Joey had some ups and downs.

We started off the morning with him counter surfing. Unfortunately, he was successful. It seems I've gotten used to having well behaved seniors about the house, and I absentmindedly left the second half of my breakfast bagel sandwich on the counter...not for long! You'd think I would have learned my lesson, yet I went in the other room to retrieve something and he had stolen a piece of the celery I'd been cutting up at lunchtime. Luckily, he did not take a liking to it because I found it all mangled on the bedroom floor. So, he was reprimanded for stealing food and I reprimanded myself for setting him up for it...twice!
That was the naughty part.

The nice part is that last night, Joey showed us he is indeed a fast learner and he is timidly shaking hands now...for treats of course!

Also, today we had a visit by my sister's golden retriever and Joey interacted very nicely, though with a muzzle at first, since we didn't know what to expect. Then tonight we took a car ride to Petsmart and got new treats. Joey still panted the whole time in the car, being nervous, but finally settled down when we were almost back home. We're hoping with practice, and maybe a visit to Mimi's house, he'll understand that car rides bring good things.

Keep up the good work, Joey!

Joey Comes Out of His Shell

Joey has been in our home as a foster a little over a week. He's been a very good house guest, but he has been a little shy. His previous foster mom said he loved his little duckie, but until tonight, he pretended he didn't like toys. Tonight he's made up for some lost time. While his foster sister was playing with her hedgehog, he bounded around with her, playing defense. Then, he got tired of watching and decided to get his duckie out and show it who's boss! This must be the reason his duckie no longer has a face! Being a fast greyhound, he did not allow the paparazzi to capture this in a photo. So, we'll show how cute Joey is when he's settled in and resting. He does love snuggly sherpa blankets.

Joey also likes to make his voice be heard and will show his excitement by barking for joy when the leashes come out. He is very good on leash walks. When he sees a small creature, he gets excited and pulls a little, but has been totally manageable.

He does not like car rides...yet. He seems to be nervous and would prefer to go back in the house instead of getting into a car. Perhaps a few trips to Petsmart and a meet & greet will change his mind.

Joey is very smart guy. He learned to lie down on command in a day or two. Now we're working on shaking hands.

He plans on being at the Zoo event this Saturday, so maybe you can come out and meet this handsome, sweet boy.

What can I say about Joey? He is wonderful, sweet, loving and sometimes soooo submissive to a fault that I literally have to pull his head up to leash or unleash him. He is a well behaved guy, doesn't bother things, but he sometimes likes to steal baby Drew's Eor stuffed donkey. Well, so does Breeze and Joey is a follower, not a leader so he figures if Breeze can do it he can too!

At first he didn't like to go into his crate but now we have no problems with that. He will go whenever asked and doesn't complain or try to go somewhere else. He gets along well with Sunny and Breeze and interacts with them when they play. He has recently started tossing his stuffie and playing with it like they play with theirs and it's so fun and funny to watch. He still loves the little yellow duck and he will take that duck with him when he finds his forever home. I wouldn't want him to worry about his duck and wonder if he is all right and being taken care of properly.

Joey gets a little nervous and stressed with new things but if you take your time, are patient with him and give him reassurance, he will soon settle down and be fine. I think eventually he will get over this, he just needs to get out more and he needs long walks more. Something we can do now that the weather is not quite so hot!

He is a specail boy - waiting for just that special someone or special family to come along and fall in love just as his foster family has done.

Here I am at my first M&G a couple of weeks ago at 100 Oaks. See how handsome I am with my red kerchief. I was nervous at first but after I figured it out I settled down and had a nice visit with my friends.

Then yesterday we went to the M&G at the Factory in Franklin and I was nervous again but after I figured it out I settled down and my foster mom told me she was so proud of me! Too bad she didn't get a picture so you could see how handsome I looked. Lots of people really liked me!

Sometimes I just like to slip off to my crate and be by myself so my foster mom leaves the door open for me. She loves ME!

I'm irristable, really!

My foster MOM asked me what I'd like for Christmas? I said a forever home and family would be nice.

Foster mom's turn!

Joey has been here for a little while and let me tell you he is one sweet boy. He is one that will keep you on your toes, however, in a good way. I have discovered there are many faces to this wonderful boy. He can be confident, always wanting to be first, then he can be shy and insecure in the next moment. What he really wants is lots of love, ear scratches and hugs, but hug him around his belly - he don't like to feel his head is confined. Joey gets along well with his foster brother and sister and mimics them, trying to learn all he can to prepare for his forever home. He gets a little stressed during storms and sometimes has a touch of seperation anxiety. His foster dad thinks that he will get over that though because we have seen him pass through various stages since he's been here, each one to end in improvement.

He is not small dog or cat safe, and is a high prey boy. Then on the other hand, he loves our 11 month old grandson. In the beginning he would bark at him if he thought Drew was doing something he might get in trouble for but we have reassured Joey that Drew can safely crawl around on the floor!

Joey loves special attention and would do well as an only dog or with one other sibling but I don't think he would do well with a large pack of hounds. He would love to snuggle on the sofa with you, but of course I can't let him on furniture as a foster. He is a barker and a rooer, but he barks when he is excited like when we are getting ready to go outside or at meal times. And it's more like he is trying to talk to you, "Oh boy! I love to eat! I love to go outside!"

If you're looking for a special boy, Joey is the one for you.

I'm not to wild about stuffies although I do play with them occasionally and I do have a favorite one. Isn't he cute. When I carry him in my mouth I'm very careful not to hurt him.

Lots to Love about ME!

Hi folks, Joey here. I've been in my foster home for a little over six weeks and let me tell ya, if I'd have known how good retirement is I might have considered it a little sooner!