The Continuing Evolution of Harvey Foster Doodle (cross post from DRC)

[Frannie & Callie]

Oh, sweet Harvey (or "Harvitee Hoo Hoo" as I tend to call him). Every day I look at Harvey and see so many good changes, and see that more of his fear has receded.

Many of my neighbors got to meet Harvey the first night I had him. He managed to slip his harness when we went outside and it was a group effort to retrieve him! I am VERY fortunate to live on a street and in a community filled with dog lovers (my block has 18 townhomes...and there are a total of 11 dogs)! None of my neighbors believe this is the same dog who came here nearly three weeks ago. That dog ran away from everyone, with his tail tucked so tightly under his bum that he gave the appearance that he'd been docked. This "new" dog runs up to people. He gives hand kisses. His tail is constantly in an adorable upward curve. He LIVES to play with other dogs. He's apparently in love with my neighbor's 8 year old daughter (it's quite adorable). He snuggles like he was born to it (and I feel pretty sure he didn't have a lot of snuggle action going on in his previous world).

Harv also has a new favorite toy - empty water bottles. If a prospective Harvey owner reads this, know that you won't necessarily need to stock up on expensive toys. He's insanely happy with empty plastic bottles (he seems to prefer Deer Park brand - they use less plastic and have a satisfying crinkle to them). Harvey takes a bottle and runs in big circles around the dog park with it. He'll sometimes put it down and just wait for another dog to come and try and take it, so he can zoom off with it again. My heart just swells with joy when I see him happy and running/playing with other dogs or when he's just so content to snuggle up on the sofa and nap.

Harvey has ceased needing to be crated during the day! He is a free range daytime doodle.

We have some rough patches, of course. Harv is (for some reason) not ready to be a nighttime free range doodle. He no longer has random accidents in my house (he did pee in his buddy Louie's bed though - whoops! Fortunately he was mostly empty and to be fair there was a massive thunderstorm and he was a bit scared). I do gate off the entry hall because my mail gets delivered via a slot in the door and Harv thinks mail is an AWESOME snack. It turns out that when a doodle consumes the better part of the October issue of Tennis Magazine, the doodle is prone to having explosive diarrhea. Pumpkin fixed him right up but it was an UGLY day.

Harvey is now posted on petfinder and I'm so happy for him! He's such a good boy and the family who is smart enough to snap him up will be richly rewarded by all the love he has to give!

[Leslie and Halas]

Harvey's made so much progress thanks to you and Callie! Way to go!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

What a good dood Harvey is!!! And you are awesome, Frannie, for offering such a loving foster home to him. Because of you, he will make a family really happy :)