Alex spent a number of months in boarding after we first rescued him. He wouldn't allow anyone to touch him and he would crouch in terror if you tried to interact with him. Many of our volunteers were at a loss as to how to help him.

Over time, members of our dedicated walking team made slow progress with Alex. Over weeks (not days), he made progress. Today, Alex is living in a foster home - a dog that went from 100% outside among dozens of other sad cases, he is 100% house trained. He even has a different bark to let you know he needs to go outside (quick, soft bark followed by a whine).

He's absolutely great inside the house. He's never tried to get on any furniture, he's crate trained and spent the first week sleeping in one. He's been living with a cat and they trade kisses. He's fine in a crate, but only if he can see or hear you. If you stray too far, he'll bark to get you to come back. A "no" works, but not for too long. If he has the company of other dogs, he's fine.

He's been great about letting neighbors pet him (all over, which is a first). The other day, he met a woman for the first time and actually leaned into her while she rubbed his ears. I live in a big complex and it's not unusual to see 10 people every time we go for a walk- that's loosened him up a lot. (He's also not scared of elevators anymore.) There's a Husky puppy who LOVES Alex- jumps all around him every time he sees us- and it doesn't phase him at all.

He is amazing with how quickly he's opening up to new things and people. He's been handled by all kinds of people over the past few months - this is a wonderful boy who has waited a LONG time for his home.

Update 5/15/11 from Alex's foster mom:

Did we mention Alex loves cats! He will give the cat occasional kisses, but he always sits back and let's the cat bathe him, play with his tail, rub up against him, etc. My cat is going to miss him more than you know!