ROMY

Our Romy is quite the character and has thoroughly charmed us with his outgoing personality.  He came to us as "Romeo" from one of our most reliable city shelters, where his owner had left him in the dust.  It was clear that Romy had not had much love or attention in his life and seemed to clamour for every scrap of affection he could muster up.

He was billed as an "American Eskimo Dog," but there are enough deviations from the breed standard to declare him a mix.  But a mix with what....you might ask?  Well, we suspect Corgi -- due to the elongated spine and short, squat legs and stature.  He has the pricked Eskie ears and a beautiful plume tail, and is colored the most spectacular shade of caramel and ivory.  Romy weighs about 30 pounds and carries himself with the proud Eskie posture.

There have been some disagreements among vets as to Romy's age.  Shelter paperwork places him at 10, but, our vet disagrees and places him at 7-8 based on the appearance of teeth, eyes, and energy level. And, as an Eskie mix, Romy might not be susceptible to some of the genetic snafus that sometimes plague purebred dogs, so he can be expected to live a long life in good health.   He has tremendous energy and, yet, has developed wonderful house and leash manners.  Romy is well beyond the puppy years...no chewing or destroying things... so he can be trusted home alone.

He came to us as an affection-starved dog who showed signs of neglect in basic training and potty habits, and now has progressed so beautifully that his foster mom is taking him on bi-weekly visits to the patients at her local medical rehabilitation facility.  Everyone loves Romy, and Romy loves everyone.  He is unrattled by unfamiliar sights and sounds and seems to experience the world with great wonder and curiosity.

Romy is a super companion dog and a wonderful car passenger.  He comes when called and does not stray too far from his owner.  This dog is easily motivated to learn new things, and his reward is simply your pat on his head...although, he'd be hard pressed to turn down a tasty treat.  And, we have found quite the comic relief in our Romy, who manages to give us a giggle now and then with his Jimmy Durante-esque charm.  I swear....I have heard this dog sing, "Inka Dinka Do."

Here is his foster Mom's first report --

Romy is a beautiful American Eskimo (Corgi?) mix who views the world and people as a fun, friendly place.  He is dog and cat friendly, although being non-alpha he is timid with alpha dogs.

He loves meeting people and has been a much fussed over visitor at the local medical rehabilitation center.  Nothing fazes him there including wheelchairs, canes, trolleys, bed alarms, strangers (mostly elderly) reaching out to pet him.

He barks very little and does not join in when my Eskie machine gun barker starts in.  He will bark to come in the house after being in the fenced yard.

No formal leash training but he takes joy in being with you on the leash.

He is not crated here, although one is available, and has selected the laundry room as his bedroom.  At "lights out" he goes to his bed and stays quiet through the night.

Does not play with toys but enjoys poking his busybody nose into everything I do.  Seems to balance being right at my feet without being stepped on.  Good skill.