Woody
Woody
My name is: Woody…. (full name Woodstock), also Woodsy, Woodzilla, Pups, Crash Bandicoot, The Beast… the list goes on!
I came from: Cyprus
Now I live in: Cumbria but I am moving to Bristol in a few weeks!
My favourite things are: Cheese, chicken, cooked broccoli and cleaning the Greek yogurt pot before it goes in the recycling. Other dogs. Belly scratches in the sunshine. Zoomies. Sniffing. Playing ‘find it’ with treats. Shredding paper & cardboard. Chasing anything that runs. Having my ears massaged. Rolling in poo for a finale!
Follow me on Instagram: I don’t have my own insta account but you can find some of my antics here #woodybergtheunderdog
Woody’s story
We sadly lost Rolly, our beloved 15 year old rescue dog, just before the pandemic started. We grieved heavily for him and couldn’t imagine replacing him.
Then in spring 2022 the yearning to adopt another rescue pup grew stronger and I realised that it was the essential final step in helping us heal. Two days later on an early morning Instagram browse, I came across an adorable brown eyed hound staring back at me from the Underdog International page… “Please Adopt Woody… he’s young, healthy, affectionate, loves people, kids, dogs and is good on the lead. We can’t understand why he’s getting overlooked when all his shelter mates are finding homes” stated the listing. My heart wrenched.
There was one particular photograph in his profile that sealed the deal…a happy young girl was cuddling him close, and he had the biggest sweetest smile on his face. From that moment on we knew we had found our third musketeer! Eve and team were fantastic and after a few days of nervously waiting we were filled with joy when it was confirmed he was destined to come and live with us.
Woody arrived in mid June last year and had to spend his first few days in the UK with a wonderful foster mum as we were away attending my brother’s Wedding. When we picked him up from his foster he was very quiet and anxious about having yet another change so soon after his arrival in the UK. We felt so sad for him. I sat in the back of our car cuddling and soothing him on the homeward journey and promised him that he was going to be so well loved.
On our arrival home, as soon as we got into the back garden, his body language suddenly changed and he leapt for joy on the lawn and did crazy cartoon zoomie victory laps!
Happy with garden - tick!
Eager to take treats - tick!
Very food motivated - tick!
Entering the house was a different story though… Woody was scared of going through the back door and distrustful of the slippy wooden floor. It took the rest of the day for him to relax enough and his curiosity to take over before he’d enter the house. He didn’t know what to make of his new squishy bed either, but when he eventually realised it was for him he sighed with pleasure and let himself sleep. We gave him the option of a crate to retreat to but he completely ignored it and stuck close to us, so he’s always slept next to our bed.
As weeks went on he relaxed into his new life and it’s been a year of learning about each other.
Woods has been really quick to understand new words and read body language. He’s the cutest most vocal dog… howl barking when he wants food or walks (he’s an evil mastermind!), huffing if he’s bored, sighing and groaning with pleasure when he’s stroked and massaged!
His teenage toddler antics make us laugh every day. He loves to launch like a kangaroo on to our bed first thing in the morning (hilarious but sometimes painful if leggy paws land on your sensitive bits!). He’s 100% a creature of habit and likes his three meals and twice daily walks on time - otherwise he will protest and mischief can sometimes ensue! As an ex street/shelter pup, he’s obviously not always had regular food so it’s understandable that he is anxious when he’s hungry.
His zoomie sessions are legendary and we currently have to take the place of another dog and can usually be seen frantically haring around the garden playing chase. As soon as we have the space/logistics for a second dog, we will definitely find him a full time canine sibling!
Absolute positives are:
• Woody really is fantastic with everyone, including kids and other dogs. There’s been absolutely no issues with reactivity or aggression. He’s super friendly and relaxed and wants to say hello to every dog he meets… which sometimes ends in a bit of surprise chaos if we’re not paying attention and he’s already excitedly barrelling off down the field to make friends.
• There is no limit on how much affection this dog can take - he loves attention and human interaction. When he’s uber relaxed I can even calmly clip his nails whilst he’s resting and he doesn’t even bat an eyelid.
Things we’ve had to work on:
• Woody’s prey drive. We still can’t trust letting him off lead in woodland and forest areas, or near livestock as his hunting instincts take over and he’s off on his own scent journey. His recall is improving but we still have a way to go. However in wide open spaces such as parks, beaches and fields he gets to run free and gleefully burn off his energy!
• He’s a real pack animal and gets separation anxiety. We’ve not left him alone in the house yet. He’s always been able to be left with family even if it’s for a few hours. Another thing we need to work on. Although this would be would be much easier I’m sure if we had another dog at home for company.
• Woody does not enjoy travelling in the car, we’re not sure if it’s PTSD from his past life/long journey from Cyprus or just that he doesn’t like being in more confined spaces for long periods of time. Short journeys are ok but when we take him on longer trips (to some wonderful places) somehow his brain hasn’t yet forgotten previous trauma, despite calming sprays, treats, wee stops and soothing cuddles. He’s withdrawn and trembling each time we open the boot of the car to check on him. As soon as he exits the car he’s happy as Larry again.
• Woody wakes up very early especially in spring/summer! Apparently it’s his Greek and Italian hunting hound genes. He does always settle again once he’s been let outside and had a cheesy oatcake to tide him over until breakfast !
It’s coming up for Woody’s first Gotcha day in June and we couldn’t have picked a more gorgeous boy. He’s got the softest heart. The funniest howl - especially when he wants your attention. Buckets of cheeky personality and character, and still thinks it’s his job to escort us to the bathroom on a daily basis… just to check we’re ok!
Woody is genuinely everything Eve said he was in his adoption profile… and more. He’s enriched our lives and made us realise we had more love to give as well as still treasuring Rolly’s memory. Dogs literally are the best and loving them brings out the best in humanity! We are truly grateful for all the hard work that Underdog International accomplishes.
My final word of advice… adopt don’t shop. It may be challenging at times but the journey is always genuinely fulfilling and the sense of achievement you feel when you see how love, nurture and fun can transform your rescued pup into a confident joyful family dog is priceless.