Description:
Gilly came from a high kill shelter. He's a...well, he's a Gilly. We think he's a Schipperke, maybe blended with some kind of smaller shepherd breed. He likes other dogs and is very friendly. His best friend is a chihuahua named Karli. It's funny watching them wrestle. He walks great on the leash. We think you will love him!

Foster Update 11/1/13:
Gilly's doing great here.  He bonds very well with multiple people, and will do anything you ask for nothing more than a bellyrub or an ear scratch. He loves to run and jump outside.  I'm teaching him the word 'jump' so he knows when it's okay, but he hardly ever does it inside anyway.  I usually don't let dogs jump up on me or my family, but Gilly is so light and nice about it, that it is no issue, so we taught him the words 'up' and 'down', and he gets down (and stays down unless you let him up again) without hesitation.  He doesn't know the word 'sit' yet, but he sits when you give him almost any command he doesn't know, so it works out.

He had some escaping-out-of-the-door-and-running-down-the-street issues at first, every time I opened it to go out, but now if he does escape, he joyfully returns when I call, and I am even comfortable letting him off the leash in the front yard after he's had a walk.  He knows his name and what 'come here' means.  I also call him 'puppy' a lot, because for the second time in a row, we chose a foster whose name sounds like our daughter's name, Kelly.  (Which also sounds like Karli! )

He really likes to walk!  He tugs at the leash but he's so little it doesn't matter much.  It's getting better though.  He has no interest in cars at all, and seems already inclined to go to the side of the road and sit when they pass.

He is a protector.  He'll let you know when someone is at the door, or in the house, or in the backyard.  If I get home and he and my husband are in the bedroom, he will growl when I get close.  When I talk to him he quiets.

He did seem afraid of my husband at first.  It took a day to get him used to him, and he now loves his foster dad very much.  He is very good with our daughter as long as there is an adult right there.  If not, he just avoids her.  I don't LET her chase him, but sometimes she does, and he doesn't seem to mind.  If I am right there he lets her hug and kiss and pet and pat and tug on his ears a bit when I try to teach her to scratch them.

He shares his water bowl (and his food bowl... Before I put a stop to it) with his feline foster brother.  Not possessive at all, except for the one time we gave him a bone, and that was only directed at the cat, he let us take itand move it without an issue.  He and the cat get along fine.  They don't really get too close, neither one really cares about the other.  No chasing or growling, certainly.  A little sniffing, and I think I saw a kiss once.

Gilly sleeps with us.  He doesn't get on the bed by himself much yet, but he puts two paws up to ask to be helped.  If he jumps off during the night (rare) then he sleeps right next to the bed in a beanbag chair.  He always wants to be with you, so if you are in the house, he is usually in the same room, in your lap or at your feet.  He love-love-loves to be petted, and cuddled.

Our house is messy.  We have a toddler.  Gilly is very good about toys.  Until today, he didn't have his own stuffed animal, but there are about a hundred all over the house.  If he takes one, he doesn't hurt it, and he gives it back right away when asked to, even when the toddler asks.

He is so easy to train, play with, and be with.  He's just a perfect little dog.

According to DogBreedInfo.com, the Schipperke are quick, energetic little dogs. High-spirited, alert, and self-confident. Very devoted and loyal, especially with children. It really bonds to its master. Pet cats will be happily accepted and they are usually good with other dogs. They are very smart, curious and mischievous. These dogs do exceptionally well on boats. Among the Schipperke's best qualities are the ability to defend its home against intruders - backing down from nobody, and being an excellent friend to children. Some can be difficult to housebreak. Socialize well to prevent them from becoming wary and aloof with strangers. Easy to train as it is intelligent and eager to learn.  Schipperke who are given rules to follow, limits to what they are and are not allowed to do, along with a consistent, firm pack leader, and a daily pack walk, will not developed these negative behaviors. Dogs who have already developed them, will change for the better, as soon as their canine instincts are being met.