Java needs a home!  A couch to call his very own!

This gorgeous "mostly-a-Greyhound" was found running loose in Elizabethtown, Kentucky this past summer.

He's a young, energetic, curious dog that has responded beautifully to living in his foster home.

He loves toys and has a tendency to get into things if left too long to his own devices.  His foster mom feels he needs a strong influence in his life to help him learn the ropes.

Black as coffee, built like a full-blooded Greyhound, his foster mom named this young dog JAVA.

Java is smart, very smart. He learns anything he's asked to learn.  He's also VERY "busy".  His foster mom learned to put the Kleenex out of reach after she came home to the residue from a tissue party.

But he's not destructive with big items.  He might pull the pillows off the sofa while his foster mom is at work but they have survived intact.  Like many Greyhounds, he seems to have a paper fetish -- cardboard, tissues, paper are all fair game.  He's also expressed an interest in remote controls, which his foster mom has learned to keep in a drawer.  And he had a field day with her yarn as well.

But he's super playful, funny as heck, and sweet beyond words, though his foster mom reports he is very shy, especially around men.

Ideally, Java should be placed with a person who understands the importance of strong leadership so he or she can help him with his shyness, but his adopters need to be pretty active to help burn off some of his excess energy. He's a dog who really would do well with either other playful dogs, or someone who would walk him very regularly - once or twice a day. He doesn't wear out on long walks either. He could do really well as a jogging or hiking companion.

Java's a good eater, though he won't finish a meal if he thinks his foster mom might leave the house while he's eating. So some days, he waits until she's left for work before finishing his breakfast.

He rides well in the car and seems to warm up to other dogs well, though he might be frightened or overwhelmed at first.

He's believed to be small animal safe, noticing the squirrels and cats on walks, but not inappropriately interested.  He did fine with a small dog but has not been "cat tested".

Java's leash manners have improved while in foster care and he walks better on the leash each day. He's so busy, the main problem is his constant criss-crossing with his nose in the ground.  He's learning, however, to pay better attention to the human on the other end of the leash. He stopped pulling by about his third walk. He's such a smart dog!

Java has refused to go down the basement steps but the outside porch steps are not an issue.  He's learned about doorways and car doors and has learned not to go through them without invitation. Yay, Java!

The vet estimates he is about 3 years old.  He's been neutered and is current on all his vaccinations.  He tested heartworm free, which is miraculous for a dog that was running free.

We estimate Java is three-quarters Greyhound.  He does have the floppy ears we typically see in Greyhound mixes.

Java's in excellent health and is looking for the perfect family to spoil him.

If you'd like to learn more about Java, drop us a line at GPA@GPALouisville.org.

He's available from Greyhound Pets of America/Louisville.  Visit our website at www.GPALouisville.org to learn more about our organization.