Well, it’s been two months and seventeen days since Vito, aka “The Beast from Beijing” came to live with us, and they have been anything but dull. He is basically, by nature of his path in life so far, a four-month-old puppy in a ninety-pound body, and if his heart weren’t so pure he would be impossible to live with. Everyone he’s met along the Golden Bond path has done a remarkable job taking him from completely feral to somewhat reasonable, and we are so grateful to them for all their patience and love – he’s the proverbial “diamond in the rough” and he’s really starting to shine.

Our other dog, Phoebe, a nine-year-old Lab, has displayed the patience of a saint – he’s way too much puppy for her to handle and she’ll stand there ignoring his demands to play until he either grows bored with it or requires a more vicious rebuke. We’ve given up hope that they’ll ever actually play together, but they seem to be coming to an agreement about what their relationship is going to be.

They both very much enjoy barking at the endless passersby out the living room window, and she has shown him how to swim, though he doesn’t quite have her aquatic grace. We are taking him to the ocean for the first time in a few weeks and really looking forward to his reaction to that slice of dog heaven.

Vito seems to be getting used to the idea that this is the last stop on his wild journey, and with each passing week he is becoming more relaxed and more in sync with the rhythms of our household.

He’s still overwhelming visitors with his mouthy, jumpy greetings and still trying to get food off the counters and bring bones into the house and steal toilet paper from the roll and chew holes in our socks, but he’s burrowed his way into the deepest part of our hearts, and there he will stay.

 

 

 

 


I came to the U.S. from China on Valentines Day 2019, and have been having so much fun in my foster home!

I am an 11-month old, 75 lb. “bundle of love, affection and puppy energy.”  I am very sweet boy without aggressive tendencies, but I occasionally forget my manners when I’m very excited and become mouthy and jumpy.  With firm NO’s, patience and some training, I am a “wonderful work in progress.”  My exuberance would be a good fit for an active and engaged teenager.

I am very social and need to be in a home with another dog(s).  I am not, however, a good dog for homes with cats. I am house-trained and love feeding time, but am not food aggressive.

I would thrive in a home with a work-at-home / stay-at-home parent(s) or someone to keep me company during the day.  I love being around people.  I love playing fetch outside with my humans or running around with my dog friends, so I need a yard or some space to play.

I love to go on walks, and do great in a front hook harness, but be sure to give us plenty of time to make new friends with every dog we pass . . . I am VERY social!

I also love to go for rides in the car with my humans, especially if they end up somewhere where I can take them for a walk around and meet new puppy friends.

Again, I am a “wonderful work in progress.” With training and a patient firm dog owner, I will be a fantastic loving addition to my forever family.

Vito was adopted on June 30, 2019

Sex: Male
Age: 11 months
Weight: 75 pounds
Attributes: Dogs: Yes; Cats:No; Kids: 13+
Availability: ADOPTED