My name is Clooney!

8-25-14 Updated bio Clooney aka "Georgie Boy" here to tell you all about ME and my progress:

I am an amazing little fellow, about 5 years old. I weigh 6 1/2 lbs., which is a perfect weight for me. I am being fostered in St. Petersburg, FL. They still say I act like a younger, silly kid sometimes.



Foster Dad called me Georgie Boy a few weeks ago and my whole demeanor changed, I perked up and I came running! Needless to say, I like my new name best.



I sometimes do a zoomie or 2, or will show interest in toys, but now that I am up and running, I don't play with the toys as much. I follow Foster Mom like her shadow, I am nosey wherever there is activity :) ...indoors and outdoors ...and I like to be close to FOSTER MOM wherever she goes. I am a perfect "snuggle pal". I love car rides in the doggie car seat, going for walks, and swimming.... Oh! Did I say I love to swim???



I think all of the dog beds, FOSTER MOM's bed, or human laps in the house are mine for the choosing :)

I am friendly when I meet new people outdoors if approached appropriately, but if someone comes in the house unexpectedly, I have a very fierce growl and sometimes I bark a bit, too.



Foster Mom here: This handsome fella came into rescue as a completely matted and quite thin stray, fresh off the streets. His knees were crippled with severe Bilateral Luxating Patellas and he was not able to walk like a normal dog, he walked in a frog or crab-like manner with his rear legs drawn up under him, pretty much dragging his hindquarters. He had terribly dry skin and a very dull coat. He didn't know how to respond to kindness and love, and had some trust issues, fearful at times, or skittish. We believe it's possible that a male human being abused him as he's more fearful of most men or bigger boys, and he's occasionally fearful of strangers if approached too quickly. He's fearful when someone enters the home unexpectedly or quickly... and then comes his fiercest growls! He does not bite nor has he attempted to bite, but he may stand his ground ...or... try to skitter away, or run and hide for a short while under the bed, but once calm introductions are done he's quite friendly and loving...and your new best friend!! He is playful at times and much better able to move about since his post op surgery "bed rest" ended around the beginning of July.



We have 2 young cats and he can take them or leave them...or get in the middle of their rolling play, trying to boss them about. And he loves to steal some of their food, which is not a proper doggie diet and is discouraged. He will try to "bowl shop" from other pups...it is important to feed each in their own special place routinely, and observe them closely until all have finished their meals. He is playful at times and at other times a little fearful, and/or a bit skittish. His behavior improves almost daily. Allowing him his "space" and time to adapt to each new situation works well. He is beginning to trust people much more!



He has done beautifully well with his harness and leash walking skills. He loves his daily dental treats.

We continue to work with him on his potty skills, he will use a potty pad in the house and occasionally leave you a present of poop...But, he does also go outside on the leash, he just hasn't quite figured out how to ask to go out, and our frequently going out hasn't quite caught on yet with him, (he has a lifetime of habits to Un-learn BUT he is willing to please), so now we are working with treats as well as verbal praises as rewards.



Great News! Georgie is progressing well. In fact, his surgeon said he's doing Awesome. Our home has been very busy providing Georgie with physical therapy, stretching and deep tissue massages 3 to 4 times a day and we have added in his swimming exercises several times per wk in the last 6 weeks. Georgie enjoys all aspects of his therapy and often seems to go into a trance, or falls asleep with his massages. He loves to have his face, cheeks, ears, neck, head.... well...just about every part of him massaged, and relaxes quickly on your lap. He likes to snuggle close in our bed at night.



He is learning to trust more every day. He still fiercely growls when anyone comes in the house, especially quickly, it's his learned response method of protecting himself as he was never able to run away in the past because of his disabilities. So, he'd developed a very convincing bark and growls to warn others not to intrude into his "space". Continued, consistent use of lots of patience and soothing tones with Clooney-Georgie Boy will help him to continue to blossom with his trusting issues. Once he knows he is not in danger he relaxes quickly and quite nicely.



Georgie is a very smart little guy and he is quite resourceful. He has recently tried to slip out an open door in anticipation of meeting new people or in an attempt to follow you out -BUT since he was on the streets and was previously a running dog, so to speak, you have to keep a close eye on doors while anyone is coming in and out for fear that he might run, get lost, stolen or injured.

He is having a bit of a problem with swelling of his eyelids and the vet has a started new regime of medication while we try to rule out possible allergies, the medication is working fine right now. We are very careful to keep his eyes clean and free of matter and giving eye drops twice daily and soon we go back for a re evaluation. He tested negative for "dry eyes".

Georgie Boy will do best in a home with NO small children under the age of 14 to 16 and possibly even best in an adult only home. He should do well as an only pup in the family as well. He will need to continue with PT, stretches, deep tissue massages, and water (swimming) therapy. He needs to have to a doggie life vest while in the water.



Today he was groomed, and his groomer said he was such a good boy. She even complimented him on his very pretty teeth



Someone willing to continue his stretches, deep tissue massages, passive range of motion exercises, and water therapy on a regular basis... would be a great plus for him...His surgeon said his best chance of walking better and improving his hind quarter strength and muscle mass (also in his rear legs which previously had little muscle mass at all!) is for his therapy to be continued on a regular basis for several more months. It only takes a few minutes each session, and he loves it. We are looking for a special person who is willing to do this when he is adopted. He will always have some degree of contractures in his rear legs. We just want him to have the best chance for his final outcome. He walks well and can he ever run! He's visibly improved so much already. He has developed more muscle both in his hindquarters and his upper legs in just 6 weeks!! :))))



Georgie Boy (Clooney) is ready to find his forever new family (or person). Could you be that person lucky enough to find room for him in your heart and home??



6-26-14 Update: Hi everypawdy, it's me, Clooney! I went on a trip 2 weeks ago to my new foster home in St Petersburg, FL. I am a sweet little guy who is becoming impatient with this stuff they call "bedrest" that my orthopedic surgeon has ordered for me. I even got caught sneaking after FM when she trys to go the restroom, or to change the laundry loads! Wow, that was a bummer. FM says "Clooney, you get back in your bed right now, &/or: Clooney: Stay!" Aww shucks, back to my bed I go to rest, but not happily. All I want to do is run & play! FM says I am walking better (yep, she caught me!), but we have to wait for the "OK" from my doc before I can do whatever I want. So, for now, I am carried everywhere I go & spend my days "laying around just like a lazy bum"! I think she understands that I have waited my whole life to be able to keep up with everyone! FM thinks I am younger than what the shelter said I was, I am like a little kid!

I had a yeast infection in my ears but they are all well now. I am getting eye drops for bilateral eye infections and they are getting better, too. My hair was dull and my skin was in pretty poor condition from my previously completely matted coat of hair, yep I could not see a thing through all that mess, (I don't remember how long I was like that, but I feel like it was forever!), BUT, with my neutering surgery, dental cleaning, then the surgery to fix both of my knees, I wasn't able to have baths and special attention and care given to improve the condition of my dry skin. FM says it looked like my hair was snowing like a blizzard after she bathed me when I got here. After conditioning shampoos, special oatmeal bath soaks with gentle massages (I love those!), & getting fatty acids & vitamin E, not to mention a very good balanced diet....I am feeling so much better and a lot less itchy! I only scratch a wee bit now and less everyday. I sleep with FM and even have toys I like to play with...don't tell anyone, but when FM is not looking directly at me I will stretch out to go get my foster sister's favorite toys (a fella can never have enough toys!)...but she runs to FM & always tells on me! I am anxious to explore the rest of my foster home & the big back yard when I can run & play. FM is going to take a video of me walking and send it to my knee dogtor so he can see how I am progressing. Please say a prayer for me that I can get up & play, I have waited my whole life to be able to walk & run like other pups. Will let you know what my dogtor says! Be sure to check out my newest pictures, especially the last one...I am stretching out after a massage that felt heavenly! Bye for now. :)


UPDATED BIO 6/15/14: Clooney is a 5 year old 4.5 lb little guy who was rescued with such a bad case of luxated patellas that he could barely walk. He was matted and neglected. We were so glad to be able to help this little guy, and we're so grateful to all who helped donate to his care. Clooney has moved to his new foster home in St. Petersburg, FL. He is doing very very well since his b/l knee surgery. He is still on bedrest, but he is improving. He is a darling little guy who is housetrained and sweet. He LOVES to be held and loved! Clooney needs to stay in foster care another 1-2 months. Keep checking on this little lovebug!

UPDATED BIO 6/3/14: Clooney visited the vet today, and he had his casts removed! His legs still look a bit rough and need to continue to heal. He is walking better, but still not perfect, as was expected. He will continue to recover for a number of weeks, and we hope that his walking will improve over time. Please check back for photos and video.

Updated bio 5/13/14: Clooney had his bilateral knee surgery yesterday. The vet believes the surgery was a success. He is however, in a lot of pain, and won't be coming home until Wednesday. We will post pictures as soon as we are able to

UPDATED BIO 05/07/2014: Clooney is scheduled to have surgery on both his knees tomorrow, Wednesday, 5/7/2014. He is a cute, happy, loving, playful little dog who deserves to walk like a normal dog. Please keep him in your thoughts while he goes through this rough surgery. Check back in a couple of days for more updates and pictures of the little guy!

INITIAL BIO 04/23/2014: Meet Clooney! Clooney is a tiny, 4 - 5 year old, underweight 4 lb yorkie who was turned into a local high kill shelter as a stray. Not only was little Clooney completely matted and had to be shaved down, but sadly, he is unable to walk correctly, due to severe knee issues. Despite all his trauma of being out on the street, little Clooney is a loving, playful little guy who would just love to sit in your lap or play with his fur brothers all day. He is still a bit timid, but is quickly coming out of his shell and follows his foster mother everywhere. Thankfully, Clooney has a healthy appetite, so he should put some weight on quickly and be up to an optimal 5 or 6 lbs fairly quickly.

Clooney has been neutered and underwent a dental procedure already. He will be seeing an orthopedic specialist on Friday 4/25/14 who will determine what surgery is needed to correct his knees. We believe based on x-rays, that he will benefit from bi-lateral knee surgery and make a full recovery. Please consider donating to Clooneys surgery expenses, as we estimate they will run about $3,000. He is currently being fostered in West Palm Beach, and won't be available for adoption for several months. Clooney's optimal home would be with no small children under the age of 14, and only other small animals