Giovanni's story
Giovanni with one of his admirers, HFL Animal Care Specialist Genevieve Grammer.
Giovanni, a handsome 11-year-old blue and white Italian Greyhound, has a personality that exceeds his small size tenfold. This feisty and classy guy, originally from Indiana, came to Home For Life® after his owner passed away and he was put in temporary foster care.
As a pet, Giovanni shared his owner and home with an elderly Chihuahua, who was his best friend. Initially, after their owner passed, both dogs were taken in by foster-based rescue organizations. At this point, it is unknown what became of the Chihuahua.
While in foster care, Giovanni became cross with his caretaker when she tried to pull his leg through the sleeve of a doggy coat, and gave her a warning nip. This was interpreted as aggressive behavior. The foster caretaker decided that due to his age and "bite history" that he was un-adoptable.
Gio's next trip was to the vet to be euthanized, but fate decided otherwise. At the vet office, Gio met a kind vet tech named Andria, who took a sincere interest in making sure Gio was cared for. He traveled to and from work with her for a while as Andria tried to find a good home for him. Andria understood the stress and trauma that Gio had endured over the last few weeks, and wanted to see him happy.
However, Andria traveled a lot and was busy with work, so having him as her pet was not an option. Then, an Internet search led her to Home For Life®. She brought Gio to the sanctuary herself, because she could not believe it could really be as it appeared on the website. When she arrived, she saw it was as depicted. She knew then that Gio would be happy.
Giovanni has made many new friends at Home For Life®. His sweet spirit made him the leader of a small, dignified group of elderly dogs. He has found love in another Italian Greyhound, Kismet. The two of them spend their days lounging closely together in their suite and taking strolls in their huge outdoor run. Their friends Sage, a West Highland Terrier; Timmy, an American Eskimo; and Cocoa and Phansie, the toy poodles, make up the rest of the group.
Giovanni shares his blanket with Vinnie, a younger Italian greyhound whom Giovanni "mentors" at the sanctuary.
Giovanni can often be found burrowed deep within the depths of his special blanket, which he nests in at nap or bedtime, but gladly shares with Kismet. He is a hearty eater who enjoys all the different yummy meals, but one would never know because he maintains such a slender shape, a characteristic of his breed. He is also known for his unique stride, which looks as if he is marching and prancing. Gio has learned how to hold his noble head high again, as if reliving the pleasures of a loving home with special friends all around him.