Hi, my name is Irwin, and I am a 2-year-old boy with lots of personality. I love humans and other dogs but no cats for me because I have a strong prey drive. Before I came into rescue, I was an unclaimed stray in middle Georgia and was possibly living outside in a kennel before that.
 
I am told I am a beautiful sweet boy, and I couldn’t agree more. I don’t know what velcro means but I’m that, too, plus all energy and exuberance. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and will let you vocally know how I feel about everything, especially when it’s time for food or walks, and it’s always time for food and walks. They say I’m on the smaller side (under 50 lbs) but I make up for that in personality. 
 
I am smart and eager to please and a fast learner. I already know sit, down, come, heel, place and leave it, and kennel but probably need some more help solidifying those.
 
I love walks and do well on the leash, considering my energy level, but still occasionally pull, so I’m told I need a bit more work there. I am very particular about my morning walk, which should come soon after my breakfast, which I also feel very strongly about. I generally feel very strongly about food. I do well in public and with other dogs and love to go places with you. 
 
In fact, I love it so much that I never want to be away from you and need some help overcoming my separation anxiety. But I am crate trained and do well in it as long as my person isn’t too far away. I am learning to be more independent and can proudly say that I get better and better at it every day.
 
You should know that I LOVE water, to the point where my mom calls it an unhealthy relationship. I cannot be trusted around a bowl of water because I just have to drink it all up at once. I mean, who knows when I’ll get water again? I also go crazy for the water hose and would probably like to swim if given a chance. Ironically, I don’t enjoy bath time. 
 
My mom says that my biggest challenge is that I am a nipper when I get excited. I heard a rumor that she calls me Nippy. I think of these as just “love nibbles,” I just can’t help myself when I get so excited to be with you and when I’m about to be served my food. And while we’re confessing — I also steal shoes. 
 
So these are some areas I’m told I need to work on, best with a professional trainer (which is what my foster has been doing to help me with this behavior). My new family should have a lot of time to work on my training and some experience to continue working with these behaviors and how to give a dog like me the structure I need. I’m improving, I promise, but I have more work to do. 
 
I love kids but, because I often cannot contain my excitement and I nip and jump, my new family should not have kids, or they should be at least teenagers. However, I am proud to let you know that, when I am on a leash and out in public, I do well with children. I’ve attended parties and outdoor dining on a leash and have been a perfect little gentleman.
 
Because of my separation anxiety, someone should be home with me at all times and help me overcome that. I would enjoy another dog in the house but am also OK being the only one. I would love to have an active family (I do well as a running companion) with a fenced yard. It should have a secure door because I certainly know where the doors/gates are and where their weaknesses are.  

Leonardo in Georgia ("Leo" for short) is a handsome, little (47 lbs), 2-year-old boy who has a way of quickly making himself right at home wherever he goes. First night in his foster home? No problem -- he made friends with his canine foster siblings and found the toys. First night in the home of a dogsitter while his foster family traveled?  No problem -- he made friends with the four dogs in that household and was soon rolling around on the kitchen rug without a care in the world.

Leonardo is house-trained and is a good boy when he is in the house. He is good with other dogs and cats. He is a high-energy boy, but he likes to lounge when he is indoors, and he loves to sleep on a comfy couch or chair -- if you let him! (He is perfectly fine with a dog bed or crate if you don't.) Leo does pull some when out walking on a leash, and he was really afraid of passing cars at first, but he is improving fast would love to continue to learn. He also went for a trail run and really liked it, but definitely got excited and distracted any time he saw a squirrel. When he's out and about on a leash, Leo does great when meeting other leashed dogs of all sizes. Leo's history is that he was given to us by a good Samaritan who took in Leo after his family could no longer keep him due to unexpected, unfortunate circumstances.  

Leo says that his ideal forever home is one that has lots of time for him, can take him ever day for walks or runs, and snuggle with him on the couch. He would best be suited in a home with no small children because they make him a little nervous. Leo loves to play with toys and hopes that you will complete an adoption application (if you haven’t already) and reach out to his foster mom, Ali.

​Leonardo is a healthy little guy who is up to date on his vaccinations, neutered, and heartworm negative, so his adoption fee is $375.