Washington is a 2 year old Boxer mix who was brought into a shelter as a stray prior to coming into foster care with Castaway Critters.  He weighs 41 lbs and is full grown. He has really cool brindle markings that look like the markings of a tiger on his back. 

This fellow has an extremely outgoing personality and a wonderful temperment. He is very loving, playful, and good with children over 5 years old.  He is also house trained, and great with other dogs.  He instantly got along with his new foster mom's female dog, no problems at all.  Cats are a different story, he is very cat curious and will chase if they run.  He backs off when the cat defends itself.  He seems more interested in playing with cats than harming them but would do best in a feline free home or one with a cat that is very confident around larger active dogs.

Washington learned to sit, stay,come, lay down, jump hurdles, and crawl when he participatd in a kids camp and the shelter he came from.  He even won first prize at the camp for "Best Stay"!  However, he could definitely use a refreseher.  Consitency is so important in order for dogs to learn, unfortunately consistency is not something a dog can get in a shelter environment.  Washington walks pretty well on a leash and really enjoys walks.  He pulls a little at first because he is excited to be going somewhere but he settles in pretty quickly.  He also likes riding in the car, but does not like to sit still because he is excited.  He'll be a great car riding companion as long as he is in a harness.  He loves sitting near you and getting his head rubbed.

Are you an active peron or family that has a place in your heart and home for Washington?  Please email his foster mom Carrie at catbooth7@yahoo.com for more information and/or complete an application online.

Washington's Diary:

Days 1 

I had such a long car ride from WV so I was really glad to get out of the car and be able to run in the yard.  Turns out my foster mom has a nice big fenced in yard so I can really run.  I also met my foster sister.  She's pretty cute, about my age and size, and loves to run too.  I chased her a lot, and she chased me some as well.  I ate a nice big dinner, boy do I have a big appetite and took a walk.  I met one of the resident cats and was pretty excited by that.  I'm not quite sure about those creatures yet.  They might be fun to chase if they run!  I had to sleep in a crate overnight, and it was a little scary once the lights got turned out and the foster parents went to bed.  (I really like to be with my people)  I barked for about 15 minutes or so but eventually fell asleep and slept the whole night, no accidents at all!

Day 2

I woke up full of energy and hungry.  I had good breakfast and a great game of chase/tag with Mia in the back yard.  I get really excited when I see the leash and jump at the door to go for a walk.  Boy, did we go on a long one.  I think my foster mom might have been trying to tire me out.  When we got home I got a bath, ok, even I have to admit I was a little stinky.  Turns out, I didn't mind the hose at all and the bath felt good.  My foster mom commented that this was one of the easier baths she has given a dog.  Now I'm soft and fresh and clean.  I'm not too bad of a shedder since I have a short coat, but the bath should help me shed even less.  I got a brush out later as well, didn't mind that at all. After playing outside and barking at one of the cats, I've pretty much been napping most of the afternoon.  I might have done too much napping during the day because I was pretty restless during the night.  I just need to adjust to this new place.

Day 3

I spent 5 1/2 hours by myself in the crate while my foster mom went to work and did ok.  She doesn't know if I barked and for how long, but I did stay in my crate and did not have any accidents, I was quiet when she came home.  I can't help the barking right now, I just really want to be with my person.  My foster mom says she will keep working with me so I can feel more secure when I am alone.  I spent the rest of the afternoon helping her work from home.  Ok, so I mostly just slept beside her desk, but I think it was helpful.  I played with Mia some in the evening and am now lounging beside foster mom while she works and watches tv.  Oh, and I'm working on trying to catch a bug.  Just doing my part!  I slept the whole night.  Foster mom let me sleep in her bedroom.  I slept right beside the bed like a good boy all night.

Day 4

Today I met my foster mom's dog sitter, Debbie.  Loved her!  She said it was love at first sight when she saw me too.  Here is what she had to say about me, "Just a little info for you. Washington was laying quietly in his crate.  He was 100% well behaved."  Did you hear that, I was a good boy in my crate all day for about 5 hours in the morning, had a nice play and potty break, and then I was good for the remaing 4 hours of the day.  My foster mom is very pleased at how quickly I am learning the word no.  She tells me no sternly and I now usually stop what I am doing.  I discoverd a fun game with Mia tonight, tug!  Boy was that fun.  I should sleep well tonight!

 Day 6

Excuse me for skipping Day 5, I was a little out of it to say the least.  I don't remember much except that I went for a car ride in the morning.  I did much better staying the back seat this time due to car harness.  Mom took to a place where there were a lot of little barking dogs.  It wasn't the shelter, but it wasn't a fun place either.  The next thing I remember is waking up and being very sleepy and feeling like I was missing something.  When some of the girls were walking me they laughed at me b/c I was stumbling, they said I looked drunk.  I was happy to see mom when she picked me up.  I'm a little sore, and mom told me that this surgery thing was for my own good.  It would keep me happy and healthy and help me to be an all around better dog.  That all sounds pretty good to me.  Anyway, I'm feeling much better this morning after a good night's sleep.

$190 adoption donation includes $10 microchip registration fee.