I’m Frankie, a Happy Hound Blend, and I’m even happier now that I’ve got a family!
Frankie has places to go and people to see. He loves nothing more than to launch himself onto the back seat of a car, jockey for the best view and take off for parts unknown. He watches the world go by without barking, whimpering or jumping around. Instead, he just smiles (yes, smiles) and wags his tail with his whole body (dog speak for: Isn’t this great?).
His second favorite “sport” is walking. Bring out his leash and he will jump for joy. Let’s go! He does need some training to walk nicely but he’s a sharp 35-pound hound mix with a need to please, so it won’t take long before he trots happily beside you ─ except… when you turn to head home. That’s when the little jokester digs in his heels, stiffens his body with every ounce of energy he can muster and looks at you with sad-puppy eyes. So hard to resist!
Frankie loves everyone despite his uncertain beginnings in the Town of Sand Lake where he was found. With an injured paw (which is now on the mend), he was hand-shy and a bit fearful at first but soon grew into the silly boy he is today. During foster visits, Frankie had the best of house manners. He loves sleeping on a raised bed surrounded by his toys. This approximately 1-year-old handsome pup has a whole lot of love to share and he couldn’t wait to get started.
ADOPTED!
Frankie now lives with Andrea, her husband and son. According to them, “He’s THE BEST dog in the history of dogs!” This was their experience fostering for a week…
We had a very busy day today. 2 hour hike in the park to meet other dogs and people. Later on the beach to meet kids- he hates the water, loves the air. Then a major play time with Jacob and his cousin. He has learned sit, stay, paw and come in one day. Not sure he learned these at the kennel. He is still confined to either the porch or my office, and cries when I leave. I walked him around the house several times on the leash. Still no love lost with the cats. He won’t attack them but they hiss at him. He goes up to them when he is on a leash, they hiss and then he walks away.
Good news is that he great with other dogs and kids of all sizes, and loves people. Not sure he had toys at the kennel and he is making up for lost time. Funny that Jacob gave him a few old toys of his to play with, and when he actually played with them Jacob got upset that he was chewing one up. Duh! He got over it. He loves to play with toys – small stuffed animals – now. He is a really good boy…
Andrea
One week later, Andrea and her family sealed the deal on their adoption contract and sent this update.
In spite of having lived in a kennel, he seemed to transition into our house as if he lived here his whole life. Having two 14 year old cats, we were worried they wouldn’t get along with Frankie, but after one week peace reigns. He leaves them alone, they leave him alone- (although I think I saw the cat chasing Frankie down the stairs and then a split second later he was chasing the act up the stairs- play?).
From the very start, he got along well with children of all ages and my nine year old son and his friends. Also important, he gets along especially well with other dogs in our park. That was important to me as an avid hiker that he get along with my friend’s dogs (with whom I have been vicariously living through in the wish for my own dog one day).
Somehow he knows commands such as sit, stay, paw, and come. He is extremely affectionate. This clown has also figured out the most comfortable sitting spots in the house such as my husband’s lounge chair and our outdoor sofa. It’s hard to deny him these after a full day of walks in the woods- (that face!).
The biggest benefit – I never again have to hear my son say, “Mom, I’m bored!”
Welcome to your new home, sweet Frankie. It sounds like you’re going to have tons of adventures!
UPDATE 2/18/13
Executive Director Dawn Neibuhr got the chance to go on one of Frankie and Andrea’s adventures – snowshoeing in Lenox, Massachussetts! She says “Thanks for taking us up October Mountain along the gorge and to the top. What a workout! (Don’t try to walk backwards in snowshoes – lol.)”
What a cutie!