Oglethorpe
More About Oglethorpe
Meet the new kid on the block. Oglethorpe, or as Foster Mom likes to call him, “the real O. G.” He is a little bundle of energy. He’s a mix, but we think the most likely ingredients are Silky Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier. He’s still learning to potty only outside, having been excellently trained to use a potty pad by his previous owner. He loves walks and car rides, and is in great health. We expect him to be ready as soon as he has his dental.
O.G. is a quite avid and vocal TV watcher. His favorite show so far is “The Incredible Dr. Pol.” Foster Mom sometimes encourages him to put his head under a blanket so she can watch without a constant commentary. His favorite place to be is in your lap, but he will come with his favorite bed from his previous life. He seems to believe that his rightful sleeping place at night is with mom in bed, but he can be persuaded to accept being moved to a doggy bed after a cuddle session.
Oglethorpe can be quite anxious in new situations and meeting new people, so needs slow introductions. He seems fine with the resident Cairn, and even ignored the gerbil on foster mom’s shoulder when he jumped up on her lap for a cuddle session. So don’t count on his help should you need to catch a mouse in the house. They say great things come in small packages, and that is so true in the real O. G.’s case.
Updates
UPDATE 3/11/2025: We’ve learned a bit more about Oglethorpe in the last couple of weeks, so here’s the scoop. When he had to go stay with another volunteer and her pack for a week, she observed that (a) he consistently went outside to potty, and (b) he seemed intimidated by the number of dogs around him, as well as their efforts to engage with him.
Upon returning here, I’ve had to watch him carefully to avoid accidents, and am now using belly bands when I am unable to watch him closely. He’s still perfectly crate trained, and doesn’t mind hanging out there when I have to go out. He loves his laid back sister, but he would be equally happy as an only dog. Big rowdy packs, not so much.
My yard has chain link fencing, with dogs living on two sides of the yard. I have to see if they are out before I let Oglethorpe out into the yard, or he will lunge at the fence and bark. In his forever home, a solid privacy fence may be enough to block the triggering stimulus. If no dogs abutting the yard, no problem. But Oglethorpe loves walkies, so not being able to roam in a back yard would not prevent him from enjoying life.
Oglethorpe did not like his bath, so when I got him up on the table to groom him, he got a licky mat with peanut butter smeared on …….that did the trick.
UPDATE 1/24/2025: Some exciting news…good progress in potty routine. Oglethorpe still needs some coaxing to go outside, but he now goes down into the yard to do his business instead of staying by the door waiting to come back in. I also discovered that he is crate trained, and seems content about going in there when I have to go out for a few hours. I wouldn’t say he’s perfect yet, but considering the weather is still pretty cold here, this progress is really something to celebrate. This good boy is adorable and affectionate…surprising he is still in foster care…he will make some special someone happy…could it be you?
UPDATE 1/14/2025: Yay! Mom says I’m ready to go to my forever home….I can’t wait to curl up on your lap! I’m getting used to life without half a mouthful of rotten teeth…it was weird at first…little poky things up there, but Mom says those sutures will dissolve and disappear. I may be small, but I use my cuteness to my advantage….finally trained Mom to realize that my pee pads are the perfect solution since it has been so cold here. But, I do like walkies and will potty outside in nicer weather, and I am willing to learn how to not need the pee pads if you can be patient with me. I hope you’ll consider giving me my forever home. Mom says I’m a nice, sweet boy, so I have that going for me.