Tucker

Tucker here! And boy am I glad to be here because this means I finally found my furever home!

My parents tell me I was adopted during a pandemic (which seems to be why they are always home)! They had been debating for a few months if they wanted to add another four-legged family member (oh yeah, I have a border collie brother named Kole who my parents adopted way before me – but we’re the same age!) Anyways, they were nervous of Kole not being “happy” with another dog in the family, so they talked about it for a LONG time. They were very honest with me and told me how they applied to adopt another dog in the GLGRR community, however, they did not know I was available at the time. They were told they might be a great fit for another dog (ME!) and were given my bio.

This is where they learned this was not my first time at GLGRR. It was my second, which means I had lived with 2 families and 2 fosters all within my first 4 very short years of life. But don’t worry, they say that never got me down! I lived with a family who had small kids for about the first 3 and a half years of my life. I don’t think they had much time for me as they were busy taking care of other humans, which meant I was doing whatever I wanted when I wanted. I think that is why I was first surrendered to GLGRR. So on to my first foster home I went. I got adopted a short while after, but not for long. I have lots of energy for a then 3-year-old and liked to jump on couches, beds and basically be anywhere my humans are! Unfortunately, that was a deal breaker for my second family. So, you guessed it, back to a foster home I went. I was there for a couple months until my parents came to visit one day with my brother. I remember running all over the yard playing with him and showing him the small pool my foster mom had (because I LOVE water, obviously)! My foster mom said this was the most she’d ever seen me play with another dog, quickly putting my parents worries to ease. Then, I got to meet my parents. They couldn’t stop petting me and I couldn’t help but jump all over them! I jumped in the car with my brother and off we went!

My parents didn’t know much about my personality, my triggers or habits (good and bad), but they quickly realized my big heart. I definitely had my concerns my first few months with my new family, as I never knew if they were going to give me up based on my past experiences. I completed basic obedience training with dad (I was top of my class, no big deal) and showed mom what we learned after every class. I then completed the canine life and social skills class with my brother. These experiences strengthened our bond so much and truly made me feel loved and part of a family. My parents like to call me the “Golden Deceiver” because I act like a KING in class (I was used for demonstration on multiple occasions, I was that good), but then would go home the next day and eat dad’s waffle off the counter (mom’s a good cook). I am also known as the “Shadow” because where ever dad goes, I am right behind him. I HATE fireworks and am very afraid of big boxes. Mom and dad assume these triggers are based on something that happened in my past, but they comfort me a lot when I am scared, which is starting to make me feel better in those situations.

I have been with my furever family for 7 months now and am finally feeling settled in. My best friend is my brother. We can play for hours and sleep even longer! We are very protective of our house, always barking at people walking by, which mom and dad have been working on with us. I am getting a lot better at not eating/stealing my brother’s food!  Our favorite activity is going on walks and playing outside!

My parents are learning to have more patience since I’ve been around and so have I. They say it’s a two-way street. They have to put in just as much work if not more than me. I am very happy they decided to get another dog and give me a chance when no one else wanted to. They always tell me I am such a sweet boy and how they can’t believe no one wanted me. They are very grateful for all the volunteers at GLGRR and for my amazing foster mom, Cindy, who took such good care of me.

I am so happy to finally be in my furever home! – Tucker Zizzo