Woody Gyn | The Kind of Happy That Makes You Smile Have you ever met a dog whose happiness is so genuine that you can't help but smile right along with him? That's Woody. At just 8 months old and 39 lbs, this handsome Lab/Hound mix has such an endearing combination of playfulness, affection, and gentle-hearted charm. He's goofy without being wild, playful without being overwhelming, and affectionate without demanding every second of your attention. Spend a little time with him and you'll quickly understand why his giant smile, soulful amber eyes, and incredibly gentle heart have made such an impression on everyone who's gotten to know him. Woody absolutely adores his people. More than treats or toys, his favorite thing is simply being with someone he loves. He'll lean into your legs while you scratch behind his ears, nuzzle into your side for affection, and when he's especially happy, he'll stand up and wrap those front paws around you for the sweetest little Woody hug. And those low-to-the-ground, full-body wiggles when he's excited? Absolutely heart-melting. Woody isn't a dog who simply wants to live in your house. He wants to be part of your everyday life. When you're making dinner, he'll happily keep you company. When you're relaxing, he'll settle nearby. When you're outside, he'll explore before checking back in with his person. He loves affection, accepts handling nicely, and has been equally loving with both men and women. His love is quiet, genuine, and constant. Like many young dogs, Woody can be more cautious when the world around him changes. New environments, unfamiliar situations, and certain new dogs may initially make him unsure, and his instinct when he's uncomfortable is usually to retreat, lower himself, or seek reassurance from his person rather than push forward. Give him a little time, though, and you get to watch this wonderful transformation happen. During his assessment, it took Woody only about ten minutes to begin relaxing, socializing, and showing us the playful boy underneath those initial nerves. His tail started wagging, his body loosened up, and before long, he was ready for toys. And Woody loves his toys. Stuffies, squeakers, crinkle toys—if it makes an interesting noise, he's interested. He loves carrying his favorites around and is always happy to turn an ordinary afternoon into playtime. Throw his favorite toy once... He'll happily go after it. Throw it again... He's ready. Life doesn't have to be complicated for Woody. Give him his person, something squeaky, a little room to play, and he's a pretty happy guy. Woody has also spent much of his young life with his brother, Yogi, and the two love playing together. During his behavior assessment, however, we got the opportunity to see who Woody is independently—and once separated from his more nervous brother, Woody actually began to relax and open up even more. With unfamiliar dogs, Woody tends to be submissive and conflict-avoidant rather than confrontational. He has a good read of canine communication and would much rather walk away from something that makes him uncomfortable than create conflict. Bigger, more confident adult dogs can initially make him nervous, and he'll often create distance or seek reassurance from a person. With a smaller dog, we saw another side of him entirely. Woody voluntarily approached, sniffed, became increasingly comfortable, and even initiated play. His confidence clearly grew once he realized he'd found a friend who didn't overwhelm him. For that reason, Woody could be very happy as the center of attention in a single-dog home or with a mellow, socially respectful companion, particularly a smaller dog who won't pressure him. He doesn't need another dog to blossom—what he needs most is a person he trusts. Woody also did nicely sharing space with our calm, dog-savvy cat. He showed little interest in bothering the cat and was comfortable allowing him to free roam, generally choosing to keep to himself. A mellow, dog-savvy cat who also appreciates personal space could potentially be a good match with thoughtful introductions. Food isn't something Woody feels the need to compete over. During his assessment, he was comfortable being touched around his food and showed no guarding when his bowl was handled. Around other dogs, he was happy to take treats alongside them but would sometimes choose to skip the snack entirely rather than put himself into a situation that made him uncomfortable. Giving Woody his own peaceful space for meals would help him feel secure and let him enjoy dinner without worrying about what anyone else is doing. Woody has previous crate-training experience, and while he may initially whine or need some encouragement, he was able to settle after a short time during his assessment. His leash skills are still developing as well. He responds nicely to guidance, but when something ahead makes him nervous, he may stop, pull back, or decide he'd rather not continue in that direction. Positive practice, patience, and allowing him to build confidence rather than forcing him through scary situations will go a long way. Woody is still only seven months old. He's entering adolescence, and the world is changing quickly around him. He's learning which things are safe, which experiences are fun, and most importantly, which people he can trust. That's why we think his ideal home is one that understands confidence is built, not rushed. A home with a yard would give Woody space to play and explore without putting too much pressure on him. He'd thrive with someone willing to continue his training, introduce him thoughtfully to new experiences, and give him permission to observe something unfamiliar before deciding he's ready to participate. In return, you get the dog underneath all of that growing and learning. The goofy boy proudly carrying his squeaky toy. The playful puppy bouncing around the yard. The gentle dog who would rather walk away than argue. The full-body wiggle when he's excited. The paws wrapping around you for one of those Woody hugs. And the dog who looks at his person as if being beside them is genuinely the best place in the world. Woody isn't looking for perfection. He's looking for someone who sees the wonderful dog already standing in front of them and is excited to help a young dog continue building confidence as he grows. Someone who will throw his favorite squeaky toy a few extra times. Someone who will laugh when he proudly carries random treasures around the house. Someone who will appreciate the little hugs, gentle nuzzles, and the way his entire body wiggles when he's happy. Someone who will love Woody for exactly who he is. Because if there's one thing we've learned about Woody, it's that he doesn't just make you smile. He makes you feel lucky to know him. If you've been searching for a gentle-hearted best friend who will fill your home with affection, playfulness, loyalty, and plenty of those ridiculous full-body wiggles, Woody is ready to meet you. Come meet Woody. We have a feeling he'll steal your heart long before you leave. Apply today! Questions? Email kristin@threelittlepittiesrescue.org We facilitate adoptions nationwide using our rescue run USDA certified transport system, ensuring every pet travel safely and comfortably with 24/7 care. Our transport includes drop off locations, in WA, UT, OR, ID, VA, PA, OH, NY, CT, VT, TN, KY, WI, MN, IL, WI and Canada (pick up in Bellingham, WA, Buffalo, NY or Brattleboro, VT for for Canadian adopters). You will have the opportunity to track their journey in real time, see photo updates, learn fun facts, connect with fellow adopters and fosters through our private Facebook event page! Before the adoption is finalized, you will meet your pet through a video call, creating a fun and personalized experience! The adoption fee is $1000 and includes all vetting (DAPP with booster, Bordetella, Rabies vaccine, multiple broad spectrum deworming treatments, spay/neuter,...