Casey fka Otis

Profile

2/21/06: Casey (fka Otis) is a very beautiful boy who, in my opinion, appears to have some Vizsla in him. He is a gorgeous red color with white accents on his paws, chest and a tiny spot on his forhead. He has the cutest droopy ears and pink nose! He seems to be very overwhelmed at the boarding facility. The kennel worker says he is a bit of a barker when the other dogs get going, but who wouldn't be? I took him into a large indoor area where he and I could play ball and run around together a bit. He didn't seem too fond at first of being away from what was familiar, which at this point isn't much, but he did seem to start enjoying himself after a little time and some treats (yum, liver). I am pretty sure that I didn't get a great idea of what he is like when he is in a comfortable setting, where he knows what is expected of him, but here is a bit of what I could tell: He seems to have had some obedience (knows "sit" and waits patiently for his treat), he also seems to have worn a Gentle Leader before (no bucking bronco). He walks great on the leader, no pulling at all, and when he got to the end of the Flexi leash he would turn around and head back towards me. He doesn't seem to know his name, which was originally Otis and then Casey. Since he wasn't responding to either, I have been calling him Otis, it just seems to fit better. He loves tennis balls and was very good about letting me take them from him to throw. As mentioned earlier, he seems very nervous at the boarding facility and isn't showing his true colors. I imagine he is probably a puppy full of energy since he is still young, but all I saw was a pretty frightened dog who cowered to the floor when it was time to go back into his kennel. I think he will also be a snuggler when he finds a place where he feels safe, he leaned into me many times on our walk, maybe just to tell me he was happy to be out of that kennel. I think he is confused and lost and I wish there was more that I could do for him (these are times I wish I fostered). I will continue to visit him every morning that I can until a foster is found. As much as I enjoyed our time this morning, I hope for his own good that I don't have to go out there too many more times. He is a good dog who just needs a second chance.

Kristin - Otis' temporary buddy and play partner