Saturday, October 9 - This beautiful 5 month-old puppy, Waffle, named for his light brown coat :) is a definite neglect case (possible abuse as well).  He came to us absolutely emaciated and terrified.  On top of being starved, he also arrived with one broken leg (which is healing on its own).  Waffle will need a very special home where people will show him that it is OK to trust.  He loves to be wrapped up in a blanket or towel and held ... I think it makes him feel secure. 

Saturday, later in the day:  Well, Waffle's first day was great!  Despite his starved state of being, he shows absolutly NO aggression towards me, my daughter or any of the pets!  He even defers to the other dogs when eating (NO food aggression).  It is obvious to me that this little guy knows he was saved ... and he is grateful.  He follows me around everywhere I go, licks my face whenever I sit down and is a perfect gentleman.  This one is a very special puppy indeed ... and the family who gives him a forever home will be very lucky to have him!  We love him ALREADY!  Please consider helping out this great dog who had such a terribly rough start in life!!!

Sunday, October 10 - Waffle had a great night ... not so much me, however!  :)  He slept pressed up against my side with his head across my neck!  And I'm not making this up, but his tail actually wagged as he slept!!!!  This puppy knows that  his luck is about to change! 

I have learned a little bit more about Waffle's background.  He was kept in a crate and starved by his previous owner because she thought if she didn't feed him he would not soil his crate and that would teach him to be crate-trained!  This guy already let me know twice in the night that he had to go out AND today he actually used the puppy pads!!!!  I have uploaded another picture of Waffle so you can see just how starved he was!

Won't you please consider checking out this very special boy???

Wednesday, Oct. 13th - Waffle is doing great!  He is putting on weight, using puppy pads when I am not home (we have left him in the house with the rest of the dogs for as long as 7 hours and he has not gone on the carpet!!!) and continues to make progress in every way!  He is great on the leash, adores being held, wants to be in your lap all the time and has a marvelous disposition!  We hope Waffle will find his forever home soon, as this is one great dog!

Sunday, October 17 - Waffle exhibited some fear-aggression today when visiting a new family.  He clung to me (which is understandable) and did much better when I left the room, but when I was there, he was not playful or inviting to new people.  It will be my goal, therefore, to introduce him to more strangers to build up his trust.  It was hard for me to accept that this was the same pup that caused me to get extra pillows in the night so I could raise my head high enough for him to sleep UNDER my neck!  He just couldn't get close enough to me!  He's only been in a home environment for one week, so perhaps it was too soon to expect him to feel comfortable in someone else's home ... I don't know.  Details to follow ...

Saturday, October 23 - Well, my daughter's boyfriend came to the house last night (17 years old) and Waffle was FINE with him ... laying across his lap within 10 minutes (barking initially, which is normal for Waffle) and licking his face!  I don't know what his fear issues might be, but I know this guy has real potential!  He is SOOO loving with us!  Perhaps he did not do well on his first home visit because he was out of his comfort zone???  I don't know, but I know he is not mean by nature, but really feel he is fearful at times and is unfriendly as a result of being afraid.  He trusts us completely, apparently, and I think has from the time we took him out of his transport crate!  I know one thing, we won't give up on our Waffle until he has his perfect forever home!  More to come ...

October 26th - Waffle continues to gain weight and make progress in other areas as well.  He is making great strides in his housetraining ... using both puppy pads AND the cats' litter box (if you can believe that).  He does fabously on the leash, LOVES to go outside for walks and just enjoys being with people!  He still sleeps with me at night, will get me up if he needs to go out, and is generally just a great pup!  I am continuing to search out opportunities for him to meet strangers so he can see that we are not the only "OK" people.  Hopefully someone will want to give him a chance for a forever home soon! 

November 14 - Waffle met with a behavior specialist recently who confirmed two things:  1) he has fear written all over him when strangers first approach him, and 2) he is very intelligent!  He learned how to do what she expected from him within 2 or 3 tries!  Additionally she confirmed my thoughts that he really does have a lot of potential to make a wonderful pet!  Waffle just loves to be loved!  He continues to do well with the puppy pads and always relieves himself when taken out.  He loves his walks!