My name
is Beau, it means "beautiful" in French. I must admit that
I have been told that I am handsome! This is not me bragging, it is
what my foster mom tells me
I am about 4.5 years young. I look
a bit like a tiger, it's because I am a brindle, and I am full of stripes.
Even my face has stripes. In addition to that, I have a cute curly tail
with a perfectly white tip. My tail is actually my mood gauge; when
I am happy, my tails is high and very curled, and when I am scared or
upset, it hangs low and very straight
I lived in a home for about
a year. It wasn't to be my forever home, but that is OK. Sometimes things
are not meant to be.

In the
mean time, I am living well in a foster home with three other dogs,
some with long legs and some with short legs. On the weekends, two small
fluffy dogs come to visit. I am fine with them too. I do get a little
bit too excited around the small dogs, so we avoid playing together;
just to be on the safe side. Hanging out together, that is no problem.
I think we can work on this with time. I love to be around other dogs,
not much of a loner. My foster mom tells me I am a good boy
I
get hugs and cuddles all the time, they say I need it, and I think they
are right. I really like getting belly rubs and chest rubs, especially
on the white patch on my chest. It gets my funny bone going and my right
leg starts moving
We laugh at that. I'll take a scratch under
my chin too, that is probably my favorite spot
I will raise my
nose up and stretch out my neck to show you how much I love to be rubbed
under my chin. I also like to stick my head under your arm and lean
my entire body weight against you
feels good to be close.
At the
moment, my self confidence is a bit on the low side, but we are working
on it. In the beginning, when I heard a loud noise or if my foster mom
performed any fast movements, I ran into the bedroom where I have my
favorite "safe" spot. I am a fast learner, and significant
improvements have already been made. I now know that coming back out
to the room where the others are provides me with treats and hugs, and
I am feeling better about myself every day. You will have to earn my
trust
I am a bit more careful than some other Greys
Once
we have been together a little bit, and I know your interest is truly
my best, we will be best pals - but I want you to know that I am bit
careful at first.
After
our walks and play time, I am a big fan of lying around. My preferred
spot is on one of the many doggie beds we have around the house, although
my safe spot in the bedroom is still #1. I am not a furniture dog, just
don't care for it. As I feel comfortable in my foster home, I prefer
to sleep with my legs straight up in the air all sprawled out on my
back. I actually take up two beds. My foster brother has had to move
to another bed since I take so much room. He is nice though, he doesn't
mind. We are actually very good buddies, and I particularly like to
rest my head on his back as we often stand close. I really like having
a big brother.

When foster
mom comes to check on me while I am resting in my safe spot, I push
my long legs against her, keeping her at "arms length" so
to speak. For some reason she doesn't want to play that game, as she
says it keeps her away from my face, she wants to be closer. My secret
- I am only playing hard to get, as I really prefer to be close too.
I'll shut my eyes, and stay very still until she is done. At times,
all I want is a back rub and I'll move my head, just so you'll know.
Most of
the time, I am a quiet boy. However, I have figured out, that when I
want to play, and nobody else is around, I bark. Then all the others
will come running from where ever they are; dogs and humans alike. This
cracks me up! I get down in the play position and say "play with
me" and they do. I think the humans are on to me though, because
these days they only come once in a while. Oh well, I'll find something
else to do. I am learning about toys, and if I find one that squeaks,
I am happy. Not much for fetching, having the toys thrown up in the
air and all that - don't like it when they land
. I do like playing
the game "try and catch it if you can" where somebody pulls
the toy away from me, and I try to catch it with my legs. When I finally
get it, I grab it and run off to a bed. Feel real proud of myself at
those moments.
I like
to run next to my foster brother, and we run up and down the yard for
long periods of time. I outrun him every time, he is older and I am
faster. I get these ideas, when I try to see how many laps I can run.
Afterwards, I need a moment to myself so I can catch my breath, because
I am completely exhausted. If the play gets too loud or too crazy, I
tend to walk off; I still find it a bit intimidating even though I know
we are all friends. I am not into catching balls and stuff, not for
me.
My foster
family has a doggie door; boy did I dislike that thing in the beginning.
We worked and worked on it, and I just didn't want to walk through it
no matter what delicious treat there was on the other side. But guess
what? Now I walk in and out doing my business outside every time. I
have only had one accident since I came, that was before I figured out
that the doggie door is my friend. I feel so good about myself when
I come running through the doggie door, I wag my tail like crazy, and
if I could speak human, I would say "look at me, I did it again!"
It's also a good way to get a couple of treats
I cannot believe
I was afraid of that thing. We have established that I don't do well
alone for 12 hours a day. I am afraid my system is such that I cannot
hold it that long. With a doggie door though, no problems! Although,
being alone for extended periods of time, day after day, makes me sad.
By the way, foster mom wanted me to add that I haven't marked in the
house since I came.

There
are a few things I really, really don't like. For instance, you need
to know that I don't crate well. It scares me and I will do virtually
everything to avoid it. Fortunately for me, I am a well behaved boy
even when I am alone, and I have no interest in chewing or destructive
behavior, so I don't have to stay in the crate during the days. Currently,
car rides makes me very nervous too. Although I cannot remember what,
I seem to associate it with something bad. My foster canines are working
on making car rides a positive experience for me, and we go to fun places.
They tell me, that with time, I will forget the bad, and only remember
the good. Maybe you can help me with that too? Fireworks are something
else that REALLY frightens me. Please don't use fireworks around me!
I have been known to scale an 8 feet fence during fireworks
Other
than that, I am a brave boy. Not sure about thunderstorms, as I haven't
experienced one for a while.
I don't
counter surf, and I sit when asked. If I am asked to do something that
I really don't want to do, like going into the crate, I will repeatedly
sit, showing everybody what a good boy I am
hoping that it will
convince somebody that I don't have to do what I am asked to do. Foster
mom did take pity on me regarding the crate thing, and in return, I
rewarded her with my great house manners. I must say that I am one happy
boy at this point.

My favorite
thing in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD is to go for walks. When the leash is
pulled out, and I know it is time, I pogo and dance from pure joy. While
walking, I hold my tail very high (and very curled), and my head even
higher. I prance and strut! Those are the best moments of the day. I
don't pay much attention to other dogs when out and about, as my focus
is to move forward and keep walking. When I was new in my foster home,
I was a bit unruly on the leash, but after only a few walks, I figured
out what was expected from me, and now I am doing real well. I must
admit, from time to time, I am so excited about the walk that I cannot
contain myself, and I do tend to pull on the leash a bit much. Maybe
you don't mind working with me on that? I'd be a great exercise pal,
as I like speed walking.
Foster
mom tells me that I am a big love of a boy that you cannot help but
adore. My adorable face, my constantly wagging tail, my sweet personality;
I guess it does make me GREYT to have around. At least that is what
I hear. Personally - I cannot wait to meet you - my new family. I won't
disappoint you! I am so ready.
Warm regards
from Beau!
PS. I
haven't been cat tested yet, but we are planning to do that soon.