Valerie

I’ve been told I’m “a gorgeous dog with a beautiful heart.” Isn’t that especially appropriate during this Valentine month?

Foster mom says I’m a good listener. Well, why not? Foster mom has lots of good things to say! I can tell she likes me and that’s a very nice feeling. She’s the first person I’ve been close to in five years, and she takes such loving care of me that I’m happy to cooperate. In fact, I’ve fallen into the household routine pretty easily. When foster mom announces that it’s bedtime, I’m the first to come. My two furry foster siblings follow along.

Would you like to see my “happy” list?
• When foster mom says, “Want to go out?”
• When foster mom comes home from an outing
• Naptime
• Hanging out by myself; hanging out with furry or non-furry friends
• Getting petted
• When foster mom says I’m a good girl

It looks to be a bit complicated for foster mom to try to walk two big dogs and a puppy, but when she does, or tries to take me alone, I do . . . OK. I don’t pull, but I do wander. She’s proud of me for coming back to her side when I’m prompted though! (I hope that my forever family will work with me on the goal of being a good walker.)

I’m p r e t t y well housebroken. I could win the title, “Most Improved!” For the most part I’m accident free. I don’t get up in the middle of the night as often as I used to do. In fact, sometimes foster mom suggests I go back to bed so – – – I do! She lets me out frequently during the day, especially when I wake from a nap. If foster mom sees me wandering like I’m looking for something, she lets me outside. So, the housebreaking is coming along very well.

Admittedly I’m a bit shy and timid yet I do warm to people fairly easily. Foster mom hasn’t seen me engage with children yet. If children visit she understands my shyness so has them watch me from afar.

I follow my furry siblings around a bit but am only occasionally playful. Perhaps my shyness keeps me from “getting into the game,” so to speak.

I’m not too interested in toys. I’ve chewed on rags or socks occasionally. When foster mom says, “Valerie, NO,” I stop. The only time I might get into chewing now is if mom goes away for a while. So, when she leaves the house I head to the laundry room and nap until she returns.

Foster mom told me I could put this in my message: “Valerie is very sweet and loving. With a parent who is at home most of the time, I think she will blossom into a great family dog.”

She also said I’m “super chill!” And that sounds super positive to me!