GEORGIE aka MINI BULLY – A1074372

A volunteer writes:

Maybe it was the name. Maybe it was the sweet, soft expression. Maybe it was the velveteen coat. Whatever it was, I’m embarrassed to say that on first meeting dear Georgie I thought “he” was a “she.” Of course I apologized profusely on realizing it and went searching for a more “boyish” scarf. But after regarding him more closely I realized, it doesn’t matter a whit what color adornment I drape around his neck. Georgie is – and always will be – beautiful. 4 year-old Georgie came under our care as a stray so, unfortunately, all that came before is unknown. We can make assumptions, of course. I can count every rib on Georgie like rings on a tree. Each protrusion of his spine might represent a meal missed, a promise unkept, an opportunity for love that simply passed him by. He has earned the right to be spiteful. No one could blame him for never wanting to look our way again. We take a slow, cautious stroll around the block and eventually find ourselves back in a pen. Of course Georgie loves his treats. He takes each one (gently) from me and when I offer more stares at me as if he can’t believe I’m real. After a bit I move to a bench allowing Georgie time to explore. He is quiet, calm, reserved, and keeps one eye on me as he sniffs each corner of our concrete cube. I pretend to busy myself with my notepad but of course I’m just as aware of Georgie as he is of me. I watch him creep closer, and slowly closer, until he “accidentally” lowers his head just beneath my hand. And leaves it there. I stroke Georgie’s head and silently apologize for every broken promise. And as I run my hand along his ribs and he leans into me, I imagine the day when there is nothing there to feel. The day Georgie and his heart are full. Georgie is waiting in adoptions at Manhattan’s ACC.

BEHAVIOR :

Georgie walks calmly on leash.  He was shy but friendly during the assessment – low body and tail, but trying to stay close.  Georgie had a low body position during the tag test, but followed the assessor at the end of the leash.  He was not interested in toys

The behavior department feels that he may do best with an experienced adopter.  Georgie is somewhat fearful and needs time to warm up to the handler.  We cannot be certain if behavior may be suppressed as a result of the shelter environment. Please note that behavior may change when Georgie is more comfortable and settled in a home environment.

Look: 2. Dog pulls out of Assessor’s hands each time without settling during three repetitions.

Sensitivity: 2. Dog accepts the touch, his eyes are averted, shy body language,  mouth closed, lip long, ears likely back, may lip lick.

Tag: 1. Follows at end of leash, body soft, or low and a bit fearful.

Squeeze 1: 1. Dog gently pulls back his paw.

Squeeze 2: 1. Dog gently pulls back his paw.

Toy 1. No interest.

No PG yet.