ARCHIE!

* GOOD with cats, GOOD with kids, GOOD with CALM FEMALE dogs

Welcome and hello there!! My name is Archie. I’d like to tell you that it’s short for Archibald, but hence that is not the case, that I am aware of. Hmmm, I should check on that. I am 1.5 years old, about 40#, and I am full of life. I came to rescue from a very, very sad situation, but I am quickly learning love, acceptance, and gentleness. When I was a very little pup, I was attacked by some dogs because I was playing a little rough and they didn’t like it. I was a puppy, so I thought that was how you played. It was apparently not. This has made me very nervous of other dogs, but I am slowly working on this with my foster dad. He makes me feel so safe and loved. He is showing me that the world is kind and that I don’t have to be afraid of it, all while teaching me how to play appropriately. Since I am still learning all of this, he says that I should really be the only dog or with a very calm, older female and even that introduction has to go very slow. My issues were with male dogs, and I still don’t trust them. He encourages me all the time and tells me how smart I am and what a good boy I am, so I hope that it won’t be forever, but for now, I have to agree that it’s best. I don’t want anyone to be nervous around me because I truly just want to play and love, but it’s harder for dogs to understand that than humans I guess. Plus, the upside to being the only dog, I GET ALL THE SCRATCHES!!! Oh how I LOVE scratches. I wiggle my butt so fast when I get excited and scratches make me excited. One of my favorite things in the whole world is to just chill on the couch and get scratches. I love to play around like a puppy does, but when that is all burnt up, I then need scratches and a nap. Oh, and don’t forget my belly because there is more than just my top side to scratch. I’m on to you humans who try to get away with just scratching my ears, back, and tail area. Sneaky humans. :) My other favorite things to do are to chew bones and play tug. Those activities teach me to play a little more gently and focused, but they also help burn up some energy. Before I forget, there is this thing here called a cat. I am afraid of her as well. I don’t go near her, so my foster dad isn’t too worried about me with other cats. I also will let you know when I have to go potty, so you don’t have to worry about me going in the house. When it comes to my crate, I don’t mind going in there when I need to, but like most dogs, I love to be with my people instead. I am learning to walk on a leash, but that requires me to be in the big scary world, so it’s taking some time. Like I said, I am trying really hard to not be afraid of things, and what I truly am looking for is a human or two who can see past my fears and continue to love me and help me grow. I promise you this, I will be the best friend you never thought you needed, but always wanted. Okay, so while you are filling out the paperwork to meet me and take me home, I am going to go back to reading my book called “101 Ways to be the Best Dog You Can Be.” Wait, I don’t know if that’s really a book, so I’m just going to search the web for the information. Oh and by the way, while telling you all about me, I’ve decided that truly feel like an Archibald, but you can still call me Archie :) All my love and affection, Archie (updated 02/24/20)