I’ve been volunteering at the humane society for a little more than a year now and I am always looking for more ways to contribute. They are in need of foster families, but since I do not have the time or money to foster full-time at the moment, I decided to volunteer for a “weekend sleepover” with one of the dogs. The sleepovers give us a chance to see how the dogs act inside a home, since often times it is much different than how they are in their kennels at the shelter. It can help socialize the dogs and gives them the opportunity to come out of their shell a bit. So, my roommate and I decided to bring Gizmo home for the weekend. He was mainly an outdoor dog at his previous home, so we weren’t sure how he would be in an indoor setting. We made the house “doggy friendly” for that reason, meaning we picked everything up off the floor, covered the couches with sheets and put everything we didn’t want urinated on away in a drawer!

Gizmo enjoying the ocean!

He rode pretty well in the car, and was extremely curious about EVERYTHING he saw out the window. I think he was so excited it made his little tummy a little sick, but it wasn’t anything we couldn’t clean up in a minute or two. Once he was in the house he trotted around to check out the place. He lifted his leg one time but I pulled his leash before he could really leave his mark. After that, not one accident! We spent most of the weekend showing him the beach, walking him around so he could meet other dogs and cats, we even brought him with us to breakfast on Sunday morning! He does beg a little bit, but overall he was an absolute angel! He also did very well meeting some of the neighborhood kids on the way home.

Relaxing on the couch

Gizmo cuddling with Bethany!

Even though Gizmo enjoyed being outside, it was pretty apparent that what he loves to do best is to cuddle indoors. He spent most of the weekend cuddling with me and my roomie. He loves to curl up on you and take a nap, or just hang out on the couch. He was such a great dog, it was hard to take him back to the shelter on Monday morning, but I know there are better parents out there for him. It was hard work having a dog, even if it was just for the weekend. It adds a whole other dimension of responsbility to your daily routine, and that’s something we just simply are not ready for quite yet. So if you, or anyone you know, is looking for a loving, small dog with great house manners, Gizmo could be the guy for you!