Azul doesn't really miss us very much

You'd think that after almost a year at BACS, a dog would develop a certain affinity for the excitement of the shelter. But that doesn't seem to be the case for the ingrate pictured below. Azul has been in a home for several months now, and he's obviously not in any hurry to make a journey back to his kennel. Here is an update from Peg and Claudia, his adopters. (PS, if you ever stop at the Peet's on Piedmont Avenue, you may catch a glimpse of Azul. He is rumored to hang out there. I just hope he sticks to decaf.)


Well, we brought home a wild and spirited dog in August, and have had the joy of watching Azul blossom into a calmer, happier, energetic boy in the last three months. He is goofy, sweet, easily over-excited, and increasingly calm and happy. If he is bored while on leash (should we stop to talk with neighbors for too long, for instance), he can still start his leash wrestling act, but breaks out of it quickly, and this behavior decreases steadily. Remarkably, he LOVES "heel" and has become a great loose-leash walking companion. His sit, stay, and heel "play times" happen daily, as do his hour-plus walks. And he has gained a couple pounds of muscle since leaving the shelter, garnering many a compliment for his fitness and beautiful coat. We have discovered two other loves of his life: apples (lucky for us, because dog treats are only mildly interesting to him) and lazing in front of the (gas) fireplace on chilly days. The fireplace can put him into a trance for hours!

Claudia and I feel extremely lucky that the great volunteers at the Shelter recommended Zuuli to us, and kept him sane during the long months in his kennel. Azul is a prime example of a dog that many people took a long look at but rejected, mostly because of his exuberance during his few "unlocked" times. He undoubtedly suffered a lot of neglect and loneliness in his early life, but like many pit bulls, his adaptability and gameness has given him the heart to leap into his new life with enthusiasm! Whether he is belly-crawling in the morning to elicit butt scratches, romping with our daughter's pit, sitting politely while kids scratch his ears, or gazing in shop windows at the stuffed play toys, he is always funny and looking for something new to do!