Not Your Average Greyhound

I have been remiss in posting on Walker lately. He's just not your typical greyhound. He's a special boy who needs a special home.

Walker is what some would classify as a special needs dog. BUT, he is as adorable as they come. He's a gorgeous brindle boy with warm caramel eyes that just melt your heart. When he's happy, he wags his whole body, and he play bows and stretches out so adorably in front of you. He runs up behind you to sneak a quick sniff or lick in.

Walker definitely needs a home with other dogs. But, I don't think it even has to be other greyhounds. Obviously, he really likes other greyhounds, but he also really likes other medium to large sized dogs. He seems empathetic to other dogs. The other day, a neighbor's dog was crying on their back porch. Walker cried right along with her as if he was trying to comfort the other dog. He has done fine with my cat and even a small dog at a sitter's house. He ignores my parrot so I think a home with a bird should be ok also.

Walker does need a home with a fenced yard though. No "ifs-ands-or-buts" about it. He LOVES to go outside and often times finds a nice shady spot to lay down in the grass--for extended periods of time.

I am not normally a fan of doggie doors for greyhounds, but in Walker's case, I think a doggie door would be blessing. He could go out and come in of his own accord. He is not a fan of being on a leash, yet he doesn't mind going in the car.

He is hilarious in that he will take toys from inside and trot off outside with them just as pleased with himself as can be. He likes toys. He mostly likes to carry and hoard them, but he will shake and toss them around too. He even recently did a little tugging when a friend of mine (who is greyhound savvy) when she stopped over for a visit. I think he had a crush in her. He did things with her and let her do things with him that he doesn't with me.

Now, Walker has started letting my pet him when he is relaxing as long as I approach him on his level (on the ground) which is not something he would let me do before.

He has not had any accidents in the house since the first days or so that he was at my house and he and I were learning about each other. He has not counter surfed. He has pulled some paper out of a trash can in my office to shred, but it's a small open trashcan. He has not touched the big one in the kitchen. He has not chewed anything up. I have given him more freedom than I have EVER given a foster dog before. He's just so good.

He enjoys sleeping on a dog bed in my bedroom. He doesn't stir until it's time to get up in the morning.

During the time I have had Walker, he stayed for a weekend at Many Hounds Inn. He also stayed for a week with a foster sitter while I had my elderly parents visiting me. He did great at both places because both people are very greyhound savvy as well as calm and patient. They understood his need for schedules and routines.

Walker needs a home that is stable and operates on a schedule. He needs dog friends as well as very patient and understanding humans who will give him time to settle, but who will also know when to push his comfort zone just a little. As mentioned he needs a fenced yard (and a doggie door would be  good).

I am only able to foster Walker until the end of September due to upcoming travel this fall. I would LOVE it if the perfect home would come up for Walker before then. I know that might not happen, but that is my wish for Walker.

I know this blog entry has gotten pretty long, but I want people to get a feel for how wonderful and special this boy is. I know that in the right home, he will thrive and become the light of someone's life. Walker is a sweet soul and he deserves a committed and loving forever home.