Walter the Wonderful

I don't know how I'm going to do it. I don't know how to say good-bye to Mr. Walter the Wonderful! He has been a complete joy to have in my life. Matt is getting pretty attached too as you can see from the pictures.

His silky fur looks better every day that the shelter is behind him! He is still soft like a puppy and has the whitest most beautiful dog teeth ever. Every day I notice a new patch of fur that is more cuter than the other patches of marbled brown/black and white! Everyday Walter and I figure out an even better way to cuddle on the couch. And every walk has been better and better, more relaxed.

This morning, Matt and I had to have a final talk about letting Walter go. I don't want to be like Shorty and work hard to adopt him to a good home, then ask for him back! I know it's for the best for everyone and the other dogs that need a stopover home like ours.

Walter has learned so much and come so far in just a few weeks. Our pack was just starting to settling into our new bigger size with him, and it feels nice! Matt and I both agree, there will be others to share our pack with. Petey and Blue have been amazing in accepting Walter and teaching him how to be a good dog.

This last weekend at the Pet Valu adoption event Matt and Walter may have meet the man of Walter's dreams! I am waiting final approval on the adoption application. I will keep you posted! Paws crossed!

Walter Says Adopt ME!!!

Walter has been such a good dog this week! It has been his first week at our home with us on our regular work schedule. No accidents in the house, he is so housebroken- It's so great!! He likes to drag shoes out, but doesn't seem to chew them up.... I guess that is more our fault for leaving them within his easy access. Walter is playing very well with the big boys out in the spring-like weather in our big yard. This week he has been learning 'down' , 'stay' and 'come.' He is very focused when there are treats around! He gives the BEST welcome homes with big tail wags and lots of kisses! He is such a joy to have around. Come meet us this weekend and see how much fun Walter is! 


This is where I got the new Adopt Me vest! 

Walter is Waiting For His Forever Family

 How good does a little doggie have to be??? Walter is such a good dog! Just 8 months old and has infinite love to give!

 Walter is a perfect cuddle, love bug. He loves to cuddle and just be with you. He chews on his toys and not on your stuff! He has no food issues, loves other dogs, lives very well with cats. Walter is at the age where he learns new things everyday!

 How could you NOT want to love that silly face forever!?!

Walter spends his days dreaming of his forever family and the wonderful life you could have together!

Walter at PetSmart

Today we have Walter out looking for his forever home!
We will be  at the Petsmart Plymouth Meeting 2100 Chemical Road  Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 from 11:00 to 2:00 with the ACCT group. Come say hi if you are in the area!

Sweetheart Walter

There is nothing like a good nightcap of a walk with a good dog. Walter learns a little bit each walk we do together. This evenings walk was good, very good. We even had a guy stop and say, "nice dog." Walter was very friendly and sweet.  
He was a very good pup all day... lounging around, played with all his toys, stared out the windows, played outside in the yard, then had several good long sleeps on his bed and on the carpet. 
A friend of mine came over to study, it was the first time we have had a visitor since Walter came to stay with us. I honestly was interested to see how he would behave. Petey and Blue knew her so they were happy to see her, which made Walter pretty excited too. He was super friendly and a little too excited - he started jumping around and trying to play with Blue. It was something we will work on with him - door manners. But he wasn't nervous or anxious one bit, so that was a good thing. 

Tonight just Walter and I walked together for 30 minutes, after a 30 minute pack walk. (I think Petey and Blue are feeling their age with the new pup around!) We had some moments that needed correction, but he responds nicely. For a good part of our walk there was slack in the leash and his ears were relaxed back. Very good signs. He has some night confidence to work on. He gets really anxious over people walking behind us in the evening hours. During the bright daylight he certainly notices people behind us, but can move on. In the dark hours he seems to be a little skittish about it, but I think its just a confidence issue. He needs a human he can learn to really trust 100% on those walks with him. 
There was a tow truck down the street that turned out to be a good opportunity of an experience for him. We hung around and walked back and forth with all the commotion, flashing lights and the men working. Walter did great! He was interested but relaxed. 


Walter was very friendly when the tow truck driver came and talked to us. He met the man and got petted, which he liked a lot. The man told me what a nice looking dog he was, and how good he was for just a pup! It was great to hear! I was beaming! I know Walter is great, but it feels so good when strangers notice too! We had a nice slow, lingering return home. Ahh, those big ears are one of a kind! It felt so good to see them relaxed and back when he was walking with the leash slacked!

Walter is on his way to becoming The World's Greatest Pet for his future adoptive family!! Walter is going to make someone very proud of walking him as their dog one day! 

Happy Valentines Day From Walter

The Power of the Pack

Foster Dad Matt went for a nice walk with us this afternoon. Walter is still learning his leash manners, but is coming along nicely. 

Tuesday morning update.... wow, what a difference a Dad makes! Foster Dad Matt brings such a calm assertive energy as a pack leader... it calms everyone down. The dynamics of a pack never stop amazing me!

I just took the dogs out for the morning walk (no Dad this time) and Walter did awesome! He is still learning how to walk right next to us, but he has learned to not bite the leash anymore, and for the most part doesn't pull. For a 7 month old pup, I think learning to not bite the leash and sit while we leash up is a big accomplishment in just 3 days! Walter is going to be the greatest pet one day!   

Good Morning Walter

We just got back from our 2nd three-dog-pack-walk. It went better than yesterday, and yesterday was pretty dang good! It was really slick out since there was snow last night and it is still below freezing - which meant slick pavement for me to keep my footing on. The older dogs are pros at walking "careful" as I command "careful!" Which means walk really slow and pay really good attention to me! Our newest addition did really good at staying with the "careful" pace. He catches on quick. 

He did very well last night. I took him out last at about 11 pm and he did his business. Then this morning around 7:30 am I took him out for the first time in the morning, and he did his business again. He then went right back to the front door - like "Hurry! Its cold out here!"

This video is of him and big dog Blue playing nicely. Jack Bauer the kitty likes to "cat test" him. He passes with flying colors every time!

Again he is doing great with the cats. The porch kitties are pretty suspicious but they hold their ground right by the front door when I open it... he looks at them but then steps over them. He doesn't flinch when they do decide to run and scatter. Such a good dog.

I have told all my family and friends I am fostering a young dog named "Marley"... everyone responds with "Uh-oh!" I gotta say I don't think that name fits him so well. He is too good of a dog for the world to think he is going to be a terror like the dog in the movie just cause of his name! He doesn't seem to answer to Marley (his great pen pals at ACCT gave him that name), or Midnight (his surrender name). I thought maybe he should pick his name, since nothing else in his life has worked out so far. So I tried calling some different ones out to him to see what he would respond to.... he liked "Walter." Go figure.

"Walter" and I had our first snuggle this morning on the couch. He climbed up on my lap and I said "Good Morning Walter." Then he washed my face with sweet kisses. He likes his new name. 

Please contact me for more information about adoption of "Walter" who could possibly be your World's Greatest Pet!! Ever.

What a difference 24 hours makes

We saved "Marley" last night from the ACCT shelter.... here is his shelter flyer


This is my first time fostering...the last 24 hours could NOT have been BETTER!!! "Marley" is fitting in so well in the Household Pack. He has adjusted amazingly well! He has had a busy 24 hours with a ton going on he has remained relaxed, friendly, willing to please and learn, and has impressed us every chance he gets!


Last night he was introduced to all of his housemates, the BIG (dark) fenced yard, played with his new BIG foster brother, explored the BIG house, ate several meals and lots of treats...then did lots of business outside like a very good boy, drank a TON of water, pick out "his spot" in the living room, learned not to beg at the kitchen table and then had the deepest sleep with the loudest snores EVER!!!

Last night he refused to go up or down the stairs in the house, at all. FROZE UP!!!! When playing with Blue he kept using his mouth, but after a few corrections from me and Blue he quickly learned to play nice.

Today was filled with MORE adventures!


In the morning he ate more yummy food and treats... played for about two hours with his new best friend Blue and played for a few minutes outside with Petey. Then we went on his first pack walk with Petey and Blue - and he did great! He walked in Darby Creek and got his feet wet. He learned to jump up on big rocks and he walked up the stairs at the park no problem! When we got inside after the big walk we tried the stairs in the house again and NO GO.

He ate some more food, drank some more water, then played more with Blue and took a good long nap. I woke him up with the big SCARY vacuum... he got excited at first, but when the other dogs didn't respond he immediately settled down and just watched me vacuum. Played some more, ate some more, and then I finally carried him up the stairs. That was what he needed, he is still nervous on the stairs, but is going up and down them following the other dogs. Upstairs turned out to be pretty good in dog terms. They have their own doggie bedroom with super comfy beds and blankets, he found those immediately!


After all that he got his bath! And boy did he need it. He was EXCELLENT! Nervous, but loving and very submissive in the tub. All three dogs got baths so all three were frisky and lovey-dovey afterwards!

And they have all three been sleeping ever since!


He is the perfect size dog to be a great pet. He is very house trained - as though he is used to an apartment lifestyle. He is easy to please and willing to learn and pay attention. He is going to be a great pet! Possibly the World's Greatest Pet!!


Please contact me if you are interested in meeting him and possibly adopting him forever.
He is being a good dog and waiting patiently for his forever home.
WALTER (f/k/a Marley) is ADOPTABLE right now:

*Birthday: June 20, 2011

*Microchiped and neutered.

*Lab/Terrier Mix

*55# A little on the skinny side.

*Large face for such a little body.

*Big goofy ears that are FULL of expression!

*Smaller Big Size (read: medium sized).

*He is the PERFECT sized dog!

*Small enough to cuddle on your lap, but big enough to be considered a "big" dog!!

*He wears PetSmart size Large.

*Black, with white chest markings and brindle patches on his feet and legs (very pretty and special).

*Beautiful brown eyes that are full of desire for love forever.

*Has not shown any interest in house stuff laying around (like shoes, or remotes)... he understands the importance of a good chew toy!

*Housebroken = he knows how to hold it, and he goes potty every time you take him outside - just like a good dog should!

*Medium energy = excited to go for walks, likes to play/run outside, but calm in the house.

--> Needs approximately 30 min a day of a good disciplined walk + 30 min a day of dedicated play time + plus regular potty breaks

*Good house manners

*In the process of learning his proper walking on a leash manners.

*Blank slate for learning fun tricks and your words!

*Very good at giving cats their space :-) Easily could live with cats,

*Good with other dogs that are socialized.

Past Craigslist Ad

Please ask ANY questions in comments section, or contact me via email.