His warm brown eyes melt hearts even as they ask for confirmation that he’s gotten everything just right. The handsome and happy Hurley of today is far from the hyperactive and highly anxious Hurley who first entered his loving foster home some months ago.

Extremely intelligent, he’s been soaking up proper manners like a doggy sponge, while seeing his fears and fetishes slowly diminish. Now at a healthy weight, with a shining coat and a high energy level, he begins his day with a brisk run, followed by breakfast and playtime outside. He loves throwing his toys up in the air, and invites his foster mom to join him by grabbing his toys from the bucket, one by one, and placing them at her feet as if asking her to choose one.

A natural lover of women, older children and small dogs (like those in his foster home), Hurley is both gentle and respectful, and although he loves affection, he’s not one to come up and ask for it. He won’t jump on your lap, or cuddle and kiss you, but he will roll onto his back for cuddles when his foster mom initiates it. At night, he either sleeps in his crate or coyly curls up next to his fosters in bed when he knows they’re asleep.

Formerly a frenzied eater, afraid of never getting enough, he’s now the soul of restraint, eating what he wants, while leaving some food in his bowl to nibble on throughout the day. Besides his regular treats, he’s very big on boiled eggs and cooked chicken.

Since guarding his “pack” is vital to Hurley, he’s his people’s perpetual shadow, walking closely by their side, leaving only to check the “perimeter”, then returning to sound the “all clear”. Fully housetrained, he will either sit at the door or pace when it’s potty time, and because of his good manners, he’s never crated when his foster mom leaves for a few hours. He simply goes to sleep and waits for her return.

He does, however, bark when he wants something, whether food, play or attention, and if he gets over-stimulated, he’s easily redirected. Although he loves to jump in the car for a ride, once on the road he grows anxious and will pant and try to jump out of the car. His fosters have been working with him to minimize his anxiety, but he remains uptight.

His greatest hurdle to yet overcome is no longer the sound of the wind or the roll of thunder, but his lingering distrust and dislike of men (with the exception of his foster dad). For this reason, Hurley’s ideal home must be a calm and nurturing one, with low stimuli and minimal triggers (loud noises, chaos, young children and cats). For the “man of the house”, forewarned is forearmed. Tender patience and a gentle calmness are essential to earning Hurley’s trust and, ultimately, his forever love.