Despite having been abandoned in Georgia, living in a foster home there for two months, being transported by plane to VA, and coming to my little foster cottage, Leo seems none the worse for wear.
He’s an optimist who’s got a wag and a grin for pretty much everyone, even men who often seem intimidating to him (although he warms up quickly to the friendly ones).
He is an enthusiastic friend to every dog he meets and has been nurturing my foster puppy from inside his crate. I’m fostering Huey, a 3-month-old puppy, for Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA, and per their guidelines, Huey isn’t allowed to interact with other dogs. While I’m certain the two of them would get along famously, I’m trying to be respectful of the guidelines I was given as a first-time foster for RHSPCA.
So, they play with Leo inside the crate and Huey outside the crate, and also nap side by side. Leo’s company is very comforting for my lonely leftover puppy (his siblings were all adopted last weekend).
Leo and I take long walks down our dirt road, and while the pack of pups who lunge at him (and every other dog I’ve walked) from inside their picket-fenced yard, he just grins and prances and occasionally play-bows to them when we pass. They hurl insults, but he lets them bounce right off without a word in return.
The same goes for the boxer dogs a little further down the road, who bark and pounce at him from the boundary of their invisible fence. Leo seems very confused by them, I’m sure wondering, “Why don’t they just come over here and play with me?”
Today, he found a branch in the road and was delighted and carried it with us for half a mile, even though it repeatedly tripped him. I finally convinced him to leave it, and he abandoned and trotted along beside me unfazed. He’s just such an agreeable guy.
Leo is my first foster dog for Fierce Love Rescue, a local foster-based organization just north of me. He’s been a dream foster – already housetrained (by the foster he was with in Georgia, I imagine), crate-trained (same), and walks on a nice loose leash (although sometimes he wanders back and forth in front of me, but so far I haven’t tripped over him).
He’s pretty much a turn-key dog – already neutered and up to date on shots. He seems to love other dogs, but he definitely wants to chase my cat Hazel (and squirrels, bunnies, deer, any moving object).
Leo is very good at entertaining himself when I am busy – chewing on toys, lounging in the sun to watch for barn cats, and even tossing toys in the air to pounce on them again and again.
I think he’d make a great family dog, or a hiking partner. He’s very special and sweet and truly, he’s always in a good mood. He knows sit, down, and is learning stay and leave it. Today I took him out on my agility course to see what he would do and we had a lot of fun. He’s so eager to please.
Because FLR is pretty small, I could use your help getting the word out about this amazing dog. I’d love for him to go home before I leave on my next shelter tour (Oct 22), but if he’s still here, he’s an easy dog for Nick to care for, and I’m sure, being Leo, he’ll just take the solitude in stride. Still, he deserves a real home. And some lucky family will hit the jack pot when they find him.
To apply to adopt Leo, click here. Email me if you have questions or want more information (fosterdogcottage@gmail.com).
Cara
For information on my writing and books, visit CaraWrites.com.
If you’d like regular updates of all our foster dogs past and present, plus occasional dog care/training tips, and occasional foster cat updates (!) be sure to join the Facebook group, Another Good Dog.
And if you’d like to know where all these dogs come from and how you can help solve the crisis of too many unwanted dogs in our shelters, visit WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org and subscribe to our blog where we share stories of our travels to shelters, rescues, and dog pounds.
My newest book, Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues is a primer for those new to the cause, an invitation to get involved, and a source of inspiration for those already working tirelessly to save lives. With stories of successful shelters, innovative strategies, and the key ingredients for success—strong leadership, veterinary access, and community engagement—it’s a celebration of what’s working and a call to scale those solutions nationwide. Learn more and get your copy and/or send one to a shelter or rescue on our website. Also available in paperback and e-book on Amazon.
If you can’t get enough foster dog stories, check out my book: Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs. Or it’s a follow-up that takes you to the shelters in the south, One Hundred Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues.
I love to hear from readers and dog-hearted people! Email me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.
If you’d like to support the work we do (and save the rescue and me some money), shop our Amazon wishlist. We are currently in need of dog vitamins and probiotics (we have puppy), size large martingale collars, and tough-chewer toys.
If you’d like to take a vacation with your whole pack, consider visiting one of our two dog-WELCOMING vacation rentals. Visit BringDogs.com to learn more.
Another Good Dog™ 
Leo is a real sweetie. Hopefully his fur-ever home is just around the corner. 🤞🏼
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