Update Feb 26 - Joe has been in foster for a few weeks now and is still every bit as wonderful a dog as we thought. He is learning to walk better on the lead, having had the typical "weaving and leaning" gait before, but now understands if we put him on a short lead, he must stay by your side. He does seem to have a high prey drive when out and about and will sing the song of his people and leap about if he sees a squirrel or a deer. Joe needs careful introductions to new dogs because he gets very excited when he sees them and can't get close to them. As soon as they have met in a controlled way, he is great with them. Joe is currently in a multi-dog household and regularly goes for walks with other groups of dog pals. He is gradually gaining weight and is not a fussy eater at all. Sleeps through the night and is toilet trained. Basically the perfect pooch
Guijo (or "Wee Joe") have now been in foster for just over a week, I can honestly say, he's the easiest foster I've ever had. Just turned 5 years old before he got on the happy van. This dinky boy - he appears tiny, but is actually not when you see him next to my other galgos, but he is very daintily built - is a total love-bug. He's quiet and unassuming, won't challenge any of the other dogs over anything, but is starting to have the confidence to run zoomies with some of them in the garden. He loves his walks and is interested in everything he sees. We haven't met squirrels or deer yet so I can't say for sure what his prey drive will be like. Although he doesn't pull on the lead, he still weaves and stops suddenly in front of you so needs to get used to the whole lead walking process. He has had a little play with the toy Santa brought him and is very food orientated so loves his meals and his treats. He has been found on the table several times and has stolen a tupperware box with a cake in, but despite some tooth marks, didn't get into it! He does take direction well though and has learnt that standing on the table will incur a loud "No" and mean he has to scarper! He LOVES the sofa! When he gets back in from a walk or a pee break, he takes precisely a nanosecond to get back in his comfy spot! He especially likes the spot next to his human so he can rest his head on you. We think he is slightly scared of the dark, as getting him out for his late night pee almost involves picking him up or pushing him out the door. However, if you go out with him and stand waiting, he will happily go pee then dash back to the door. He only had one unsettled night - around his 3rd night here - and since then I've left a dim light on for him overnight and he has slept through. No accidents in the house after the first couple of days. He jumps into the van to go elsewhere for walks with no trouble at all, sharing the space with his foster siblings without a problem. There's absolutely nothing negative I can say about Guijo (although he may not be Mensa material!) As with most of our dogs, we'd like him to be homed with at least one other friendly confident dog and in a home where someone is around most of the time. Although he doesn't seem fazed by passing vehicles, he is fostered in a quiet rural location and I am not sure a busy town or city setting would suit him.
