Odin

Odin, 16-months old
Dog seeking wide-open spaces and lots of love and attention!

My name is Odin. In addition to plenty of space in which to run, and a decent-sized in-home environment, I love playing ball, swimming, and jumping in puddles: there sure have been lots of puddles to jump in this spring!

Except—foster mom is trying to teach me to listen to her. I may not understand the words, “make the good choice,” but I understand her tone. And I really understand when she says, “Do you want a bath?” Though I like water, I don’t mean a bath, that involves soap and having my face washed, and being still in a big tub.

Foster mom says that I’m a wonderful dog, but that I need a forever owner who would be available to spend time with me and guide me. She says it’s all about building trust. To explain, I can become startled, and then I bark and give a short growl. That usually happens when I’m uncertain of where a sound is coming from. Sounds in another part of the house for example or people or dogs coming out of nowhere can surprise me and then I bark. Mom says it’s not aggressive but is oftentimes loud, which might make children under 10 uneasy.

I’m a pretty sharp young guy too! I know the commands “leave it” and even “heel!” I know where every ball in the is—and I have plenty! And maybe best of all, foster mom says I’m a “champ” with doing my “business” outside! She says even when I have a loose stool, I let her know I gotta go and then wait until I’m outside to take care of it! Seems I have a sensitive stomach. It can be fine for days, then, woosh, I have a loose stool.  One thing I should mention is that I will only go potty when on a walk.

I’m a great walker, especially with my mom as I’m familiar with her commands and I do well with the Easy Walk harness. She says I’m “lovely to walk with!”

Car rides are the best—well, next to chasing balls. The neighbors have become accustomed to seeing me with my head sticking out the car window. I’ll even stay in the car for a nap after our rides. Mom wonders if maybe I just want to stay in the there ‘cause I want to make sure that if she leaves, she doesn’t leave without me.

As the weeks with foster mom have progressed, I’ve become more comfortable and now like sitting near her during our relaxing time.  I am not one of those cuddly goldens, more of a “game on” king of guy, like “let’s go run” or play ball type of dog.  I don’t seek affection, I will take it if it’s offered, but I would much prefer to play ball.

Trust, love, guidance, . . . balls. Having these in my forever home will make life good!