Booker

11/8/2024

Hi everyone! Booker continues to be the BEST BOY EVER! He made a new friend this week. Her name is Ellie Mae, or Ells Bells for short. At first she didn’t know what to make of him, but then he won her over with his charms. Now every time she sees him, she can’t resist him! They love to play together. Booker truly is a ladies man…that’s not just with dogs either. One look at him and no one can resist him – he doesn’t mind either. He loves to get all the pets and attention that he can. He’s such a good boy who really needs his forever home. He’s ready and he deserves it!



11/1/2024

Happy Halloween everyone! Even Booker celebrated Halloween. Booker has been on a strict diet, but yesterday was a cheat day. I took one of his blankets and made a cape out of it and dressed him up as SUPER BOOKER and he went to some of his favorite treat cells trick or treating! Let me tell you, there were no tricks – just lots of treats! He was just like a kid too; as soon as he got his treat, he was out and on to the next. He took full advantage of his opportunities LOL. He had such a great time. His favorite treat that he got was cheese. He LOVED the cheese crackers too. He, Hailey, and Dina all got to share in a Slim Jim, too! All 3 of them sat there in a small circle and really enjoyed getting that. All 3 were playing and stopped immediately when I broke that out! I didn’t even have to say anything – they just all came and sat. They all LOVE them some Slim Jims! See ya next week…

10/25/2024

Hey everyone. Booker has had an AMAZING week! He spent a lot of this week playing with Phoebe and Hailey. He did such a good job of playing appropriately with them because of their and his side. Hailey gives him the business, as she is taller than him, and his usual tricks don’t work on her! Now he gator rolls to throw her off her game. He also was big brother to them when they were doing their puppy things that they are learning not to do. Every time Hailey would pick up a rock Booker would scold her like, “We don’t do that!” However, Dina was big sister to him when he was doing things too LOL. She would scold him and let him know, too! It is SO funny to watch how they all interact with each other. We have a really good group of dogs right now that will make great additions to your families. I’m a little biased, but Booker is THE BEST! I love working with him and watching him grow and learn. He’s so smart. He’s up to around 50 different commands and growing! He still acts like a petulant teen every once in a while, but that’s what makes him so fun and interesting. He needs his forever home. Come on people, let’s go!!!

10/18/2024

Hey everyone! Booker started his week off by being a thief – he went down and raided poor Hailey’s toy bin! He stole a Nyla bone and a teddy bear with a ball in its belly, which he promptly took out to the dog yard. He COULDN’T WAIT to parade his trophies in front of the girls when they came out! He and Phoebe had a ball (no pun intended) with the bear. He was on one side, she on the other, and they kept running back and forth, him with the bear in his mouth! They would stop and he would push a portion of the bear through the fence…just enough for her to get a hold of it, and when she did, he would pull it back from her! They did this for almost an HOUR. Then we took all the toys out and opened the gate between yards and Booker and her had a blast playing off leash with each other. They both were SO tired and in need of both a nap and a bath! Booker wanted the nap first, but he didn’t get his way this time, LOL. They both had so much fun. He’s such a great dog!

10/11/2024

Hi everyone…Booker’s taking a nap, so I’ll write this for him this week. Booker has had such a great week! We had a day where we couldn’t come out of our cells for most of the day and Booker was such a GOOD BOY. We chilled, cuddled, and watched TV for most of the day. Yes, there was quite a bit of play in there, too, but the point is that even when we couldn’t go outside like we usually do, he was VERY well behaved being stuck inside. He was stingy with his blanket though!! I would take it and “hide” and he would jump up and take it from me and put it back on his bed! We did this A LOT. Someone is going to be very lucky to give this amazing boy his forever home!

10/04/2024

Hi everyone, Booker here. Hey, did anyone out there catch that rare event we had this week – the SUN?! Finally, a day where I wasn’t soaking wet when I went out to play. Me and my dad took full advantage of it, too! We had such a fun time out in the yard. We played fetch, tug, and I even did an obstacle course my dad set up. Then my friend Hailey came out and we played and ran around. I was so tired that I had to take a break. I just got a drink and laid myself down in the grass, rolled around, and just soaked in some rays. Hailey even got tired. I don’t mind the rain, but I really missed the sun. It’s time for my supper, so I’ll get back to you all next week – take care!

09/27/2024

Hi everyone! Guess what?!? My Handler took the week off, so let me tell you about our week together. I LOVE being outside and I don’t mind the rain, but COME ON! I’d like to have a few days of sunshine! I guess it didn’t really matter because we were still out there all the time. I sure don’t mind the mud, or mud puddles either! They’re so FUN to run through, but I get going so fast that it’s hard for me to stop sometimes, which is when I do my best slides! 

I think the best part of rain and mud is that I get a nice warm shower afterwards. Then I get to curl up with my handler and we just chill together. Everyone keeps saying sunnier days are coming, I guess we will see…bark at ya later!

09/20/2024

Hey everyone, Booker had another great week! He was kinda lazy this week. Sure, he played with his friends out in the yard, but he was just as happy to lay out and catch some rays. I do have to tell you a funny thing he did the other night. I was laying in bed watching tv and he was laying up beside me. Someone came and knocked on my door and hollered my name to ask me a question. Booker jumped up REAL QUICK and laid his whole body on my chest and started giving me kisses. He wouldn’t let me up to answer the door! I told dude to just ask me because there was no way I was getting up. I couldn’t stop laughing! Booker didn’t stop until the guy went away. This boy has so much love to give!!! Someone out there will be lucky to share in it!

09/13/2024

Hey everyone, I have a secret to tell you. Booker has a new girlfriend. Her name is Phoebe and he is totally smitten with her! It was love at first sight! The first time they met out in the dog yard, it was all over! They met at the fence and started running back and forth! The next thing you knew, they were standing there kissing each other through the fence! I wish everyone could have seen them! They will lay down on opposite sides of the fence and just keep kissing through the fence and roll around in the dirt together. Then they will run for a bit and go right back to it. 

Booker is friends with all the of the dogs here, but not like he is with Phoebe! I’ve never seen him be like that with any other dog, that affectionate and right away! He plays with Callie and Dina, but he is totally different with Phoebe. It is so good to see him like that! He is such a great boy!

09/06/2024

I need to let everyone know that Booker had another amazing week!  He's even made a new friend, Dina.  It took some work with both of them, but neither of us gave up and because of that they ended up playing for an hour and a half!  Booker had such a great time running with her, she even gave up before he did! She would go and lay down to take a break and catch her breath and Booker would grab a quick drink, go to the fence, and convince her to come back for another round!  He was so tired in the end that we came in, I wiped him down, and he immediately fell asleep and took a nice, long nap!  I learned that when Booker gets excited with other dogs around, he just wants to be a part of it and play! 

Its been a long process working with Booker to calm down around other dogs, but hopefully it will start to sink in because when he's calm, he gets to play with the other dog.  We're also working on Booker play tug-of-war with the leash when he wants to go in one direction, but we need to go in another direction.  I know we will get there!

08/30/2024

Hey everyone, Booker here! Since I’ve been back in prison, I’ve learned how to “extort” people! Every morning I make my rounds to different cells to get my yum-yums! I will go right to their cells, go right in, hop up on their bed, and just wait to get a piece of cheese or cracker, or hot dogs. What’s so funny is that as soon as I get what I want, I hop down and move on to the next cell. My handler is just along for the ride. I don’t even give them so much as a thank you, I think that’s what my Handler is for! I mean honestly, I’m very polite before I get my treats, and I do all my tricks and give my best manners, but then I’m out! 

I also learned to crawl and to how to walk right between my Handler’s legs too! I’d just like to remind everyone how very smart I am and how I love to learn new tricks!!! We’re also working on combining my stay cue with my recall and my “through” cue where I come running to my Handler when called and line myself up behind his legs too! I’m great!!!

08/23/2024

Hi everyone!  Booker has been doing great this week!  He continues to be his usual Booker-self and he truly is a great boy!  His training went great throughout the week and we even did some obstacle course work.  Can you believe he can actually climb up on and sit on a milk crate!  He sure does love the adventurous side of training!

One day this week, we were out in the back yard and Louie came out with his Handler.  They were just hanging out in the front yard, but all that separates us is a chainlink fence and gate.  Booker ran up to the fence and crouched down, "hiding" behind a few blades of grass, laying as flat as he possibly could.  Then Louie ran up to the fence and just looked at him like, "Dude, I can see you."  It was so funny!

08/16/2024

Hey everyone, I am pleased to tell you that Booker has come back to us.  Some of you might be thinking, "wait, didn't he get adopted?" And he did, but sometimes things just don't work out. He didn't necessarily do anything "wrong", he just loved the little girl in the home a little too much and that wasn't good for anyone.  So now, we know that maybe a little older kids would be best for you.  Its really funny though because everyone here keeps saying, "Booker violated his parole." But I'm quick to defend my buddy and let them know, "Book didn't get a new charge, it was just a technicality."  That's just a little prison humor for those not in the know.

Everyone was very happy to see him and he is eating up the attention, literally!  He has done great all week and is adjusting to being back and with a new Handler.  He's a great boy to work with and this time around we are going to take everything he has learned and continue to expand on that, taking it all to the next level.  We will be working on his excitability and the way he handles himself around other dogs too.  I know he's super food motivated and the best "dishwasher" I've had so far!

Booker still loves to cuddle and give kisses.  He still likes to chill when I'm not around and loves to relax outside too, something he and his previous Handler worked on too.

08/09/2024

Booker got to spend the week living with the HOPE Program Trainer.  He had an entire living room suite to himself, all the couches, chairs, and dog beds were all his for a week!  And he definitely tried them all!  His favorite seemed to be the chair directly below a window, where he could lay, bask in the sunlight, and still keep an eye on everything that was happening in the kitchen, just at the top of the stairs!

Sometimes Booker can be reactive to new dogs initially, but given some time, a little distance, and some structure about how to act with other dogs, he can be great!  Out of the 6 dogs in the home, Booker only had one that he didn't seem to enjoy being around, and to be honest, neither does anyone else for long periods of time...she's a little spitfire of a puppy and she thinks she makes all the rules!  Also, she yelled at him first, so she deserved it! LOL

Booker returns to the Program on August 10th, so stay tuned for new updates from Booker and his new handler.  We really look forward to seeing all the progress made with his previous handler, and how much he will continue to learn with his new handler!

08/02/2024

Unfortunately, Booker's adoption isn't working out and he will be returning to the Program.  However, his return is giving another dog a shot at a forever home and you'll see more about that later.  For now though, Booker is crashing with the HOPE Trainer and they're working on calm behavior around other dogs.  We're going to work on getting Booker more calm and focused around other dogs.  Booker will have a new handler, as his previous handler is now helping a new dog find her happily ever after and we look forward to seeing what he can do with Dina. 

Its never easy when a dog is returned to the Program, sometimes we even blame ourselves or take it personally.  But its important to remember that even though the dog is great, the home is great, and on paper it looks like a perfect match...sometimes its just not perfect.  Booker will have the privilege of taking everything his previous handler taught him and using it with the experience of his new handler.  I think they'll both have a lot to learn from each other and teach each other too!

07/26/2024

Booker has an incredibly large fan base in here.  Its mainly because of his awesome personality and willingness to meet and greet anyone with kindness.  They look forward to saying "hi" to him daily.  His name is call all throughout the day.  His personality has captured many hearts and created trusting friendships between mane and canine.

So this week was spent saying his goodbyes to all of those who took the time to know him.  Nobody is looking forward to our loss and many have said their fairwells.  However, we all understand that our friends, my best friend, is headed to a wanting, loving, home.  My heart is saddened Booker.  You're the greatest buddy I've had in many years.  I'll miss you dearly!! Thank you for some of my greatest memories little buddy!

7/19/2024

With being leash restricted, Booker's activity level is limited.  Right now we are more excited that he ahs a home to go to!  Its been a week of just hanging out with each other.  I will tell you this, everyday left with my buddy has me taking an extra look at him.  Whether he's playing, attending meet and greets, giving love and kisses, or just laying around and sleeping.  I know he is going to a good home with loving people and a better place for him, but as the day nears it only gets harder inside for me.  Plus I know Booker will love and miss me too.  A special friendship between Man and Man's Best Friend was created and I definitely know I'll surely miss him.

7/12/2024

Well, Booker has had a lot of ups and downs when its come to adoption interest. Sometimes things fall through, and that’s disappointing, but I keep telling Booker that it just means there is something better out there for him! And he might have met them already! A family with kids is interested in him, so keep your paws crossed for my buddy! 

We’ve spent the last week just relaxing and taking it easy. Pool time, A/C, and walking through agility courses have helped to occupy our time.

7/5/2024

Booker was on limited activity again all week and has a vet appointment coming up to figure out why sometimes he limits on his one foot. We’re hoping to get this figured out before he goes to his forever family which is happening by the end of the month!!! 

Mostly our time spent this week was between booker and I using crates for an obstacle course and doing walk-throughs. My buddy is so keen when it comes to learning. If you have a challenge for booker or we are both willing to try provided we have the ability to do so in the dog yards. He’s always up for anything!

6/28/2024

Earlier this week we thought Booker was going to be adopted. When you find out your dog is being adopted you feel the joy for your dog, knowing that his hard work and excellent kindness paid off to a forever home. A person who took the time to meet him a dew times has discovered what a gentle dog he is. His love for people of any size, age, and race just shows in his everyday activists. I’m so proud of my boy.

UPDATE…turns out Booker is staying with his handler a little longer, but has a meet and greet on Monday July 8th! So lets keep our paws crossed for Booker. We all believe things happen for a reason, and its nice to think that there is a reason that Booker couldn’t go with the first family and that maybe, just maybe, this next family will be his happily every after!

6/21/2024

Booker is full of energy and letting him release it is so much fun to watch! Especially if you are involved in helping him release that energy. Sometimes toys are not available and I’lltakejust an empty water bowl and bang it on his leash clip. Its a game to him and he’ll run figure 8s the length of the yard at TOP SPEED. With me chasing him,you can just see all the fun he’s having and me too! He brings the youth back tome too! I just love this friend of mine.

He has learned that relaxing sometimes is necessary. Hard for a young guy, but is sometimes necessary. Its been hard for him to comprehend at some times but over the past week or more he has taken it all in quite well. A blanket to lay on after some play time in the pool and relaxing to snub the heat wave, not a problem for this boy!

6/14/2024

Due to a minor paw injury, Booker had to take time off of any usual play time. Learning to relax isn’t very easy for us, who stay motivated and enjoy exercise. Booker looks forward to play time and the youth in him keep him running with joy. So when Callie, our newest HOPE dog enters the adjacent yard and runs straight up to Book to play, you can see just how difficult it is for my buddy to stay put. With some commands and persuasions, he learned to stay. Neither him nor I wanted to waste our time relaxing but together we managed to have a few days soaking in the sun without much fun.

6/7/2024 

Once again I took the time to fill up the doggie pool for my buddy’s amusement. Watching him after a dip in the water is awesome! So much energy when you’re young! You could charge admission fees for how funny and entertaining Booker can be! He’s just the most complete bundle of joy!

A new 9 month old pup, named Callie, has come into the Program now too. A little female dog that has Booker’s interest. He coaxed her into running the fence already. We’ve spent some time getting them to know one another so far all is well! We think there is a new friendship in the making!

5/31/2024

My last dog was my first dog in the HOPE Program, her name was Bella and she too was a pittie mix. Adopted in January 2024 and my heart was broken. An extremely smart and loyal girl dog,whom I adored. We learned together and the outcome of that was priceless.

Then along comes my buddy Booker T. A young dog full of energy and blessed with a very kind heart towards all people. He too has shown me that he cares about me, like I care about him! I took a lot from what Bella and I learned together and shared it with Booker. He is a fast learner and always willing to please you! Sometimes I wonder if he is a sibling of Bella. They are so alike in many ways. Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s the breed, I’m not sure as of yet, but my guess is every dog carries its own personality. It just how you communicate together that will make you better friends. He and I are besties right now and I could not ask for a better friend.

5/24/2024

I know it was last week, but I’m really proud that Booker was chosen to represent HOPE at the Harrisburg Senator’s game the other week. The words used by the person who took him were, “He was amazing! He LOVED greeting all the kids and getting all the attention!” Booker just loves people of all age, gender, and size and loves without discrimination. And I’m sure that’s all he wants in return, a chance to love someone that he can call his own.

One thing my buddy does that will catch many by surprise is jump into your lap and place his paws over your shoulders while showering your entire face with kisses! Just him spreading friendship on those who give him affection. He’s AMAZING…my boy is AMAZING. So proud of him.

5/17/2024

The week Booker was taken to a Harrisburg Senators game and I was told he did VERY WELL! I had no doubts about his behavior because he adores people and loves food! What better place to get all of that, than a baseball game! He showed me how much he missed me when he came back from the game by showering me with kisses and hugs.

The two of us play daily and our bond is very strong. The agility training that we do is coming along rather well, especially since there is no fear in him and he will always try to please us both! Rarely does he fail to impress me or others. Booker is a sure thing if you are looking for an awesome canine who will certainly check all of your boxes.

05/10/2024

Since the temps shot up into the 80s recently, we figured it would be a good time to break out the dog pool and see how Booker does. Booker and I loaded up the pool and buckets of water, which splashed him a few times out to the yard. He knew something new and different was going on, but he had no idea what!

At first he was pretty shy about the pool, so I picked him up and put him down in the middle. Then I slowly poured water over his entire body. When he jumped out of the pool, he had the zoomies and did figure 8s at full speed for several minutes! No more shyness to the pool anymore, just pure enjoyment from that point on! 

Like Hazel, Booker is going to be at a Harrisburg Senators game on Wednesday, May 15th!

5/3/2024  After my girl Bella got adopted, I never thought I’d see another dog make me so HAPPY. She was a savvy girl who made you earn her trust and it took sometime. My buddy Booker is just the opposite! His young mind believes anyone and everyone are friends and are cool to hang out with! Oh, and if you have food, he’ll look for you daily in hopes of breaking bread with you again. He carries love for all and dislike for none!

My dude plays HARD and an clear 6ft in height with ease. We did some agility courses and hanging out due to the extreme heat. Our friendship shows as I look forward to hanging with Book and loves being with me. Book is like a young kid, terrific attitude, and always looking forward to play!

4/26/2024  Congratulations to my SUPER DOG who showed off his learning abilities by passing his Level 3 Obedience! All three levels learned and achieved in his first 6 weeks in the program! This makes him one of the smartest canines to join HOPE ever! His brain now matches all the brawn he came in with! He will forever be a SUPER DOG in my eyes.

Every morning Booker pops up in my bed at 5:30am and digs in close to cuddle his way back to sleep. I think he knows I get up at 6 and he gets the entire bed to himself then…but I like to think its just because he loves me. My buddy is really so much fun to be with and I love him so very much!

4/12/2024   This week Booker and I spent a lot of time on Level 3 training exercises. You can tell that he cannot wait for us to do something else because he will short change you of a completed command or cue and try to speed roll through it! Its is rather funny because he’ll sigh when we repeat it! He loves to play so much and would rather us be in the yard playing fetch, chase or tug!

Booker has a great athletic abilities and the speed to match,so a make your own course is created by me. He is an absolute show-off and with just hand signals,he follows my lead. My Super Dog has the wits to match! If you are looking to have fun, Booker is THE ONE!

…HOPE Trainer here…Booker went on an outing to support HOPE and Faulkner Subaru in Mechanicsburg, as they’re hosting a donation drive until April 26th for the HOPE dogs! Be sure to stop out there and drop off some goodies for your favorite HOPE dogs and if you can’t get out there yourself, contact Lynzee@hopedogs.org to schedule a pick up for donations too!

Booker T is sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance and you can apply to adopt him here, https://centralpaanimalalliance.org/apply-to-adopt

4/5/2024  With our dog yard being extremely muddy from endless days of rain, it seemed as though Booker would never get to release some energy.  Passing his Level 2 Obedience just a week after Level 1, he deserved some fun!  We, meaning, him and I came to the conclusion that “who cares how muddy it is” so the leash came off and the juvenile came out of him!  Surface water splashed endlessly, wipeouts could be seen over and over and when he finally exhausted himself, both of us were covered with a thick mud.  We looked like we just left a Monster Truck Rally.  Booker looked like he had a great time and so did I!  We needed a good hosing down but we are both squeaky clean and in a better place now!

Something you should know about Booker…he is willing to learn or try anything, as long as food in involved!  He now runs on the treadmill and has learned 6 commands in Spanish!  He’s my bi-lingual buddy!  He’s also a lover and seeks attention from anyone who will give it!  Our friendship is AWESOME!!!

3/29/2024  Booker LOVES his play time! We rotate dogs in the yard because he wants to have a friend with him for enjoyment. Loki, Merlin, Jaida, and Hazel are all dogs he wants to play with! Not a single one of them has his longevity when it comes to energy, so we rotate dogs in and out and he loves it! Youth usually prevails as we age in the energy department, and since he’s so young, he has amazing athletic abilities and no fear in showing them off!

Recently, a funny thing happened. Maintenance was on our block and had 500-600lbs of tools with them in a cart. When they finished the job and started pushing the cart, I had Booker help them push it! With his front paws on the cart and his hind on the ground, he walked well over 40 feet until they were at the door and off the block. Just as I was getting him to get down the words “and stay out” were yelled out as the other inmates cheered him on! Booker really showed them how to make an exit!

3/22/2024  Very often a tour group comes into the prison, and has a lot of different people.  Sometimes they stop just to see the HOPE Program dogs and get some information from the canine handlers and the stories of the dogs.  This is Booker's third week and he's been through two tours and two walk-throughs of the prison, just meeting, greeting and showing off his skills!

He absolutely LOVES people and does not ever discriminate on the circumstances on when or where he meets them.  Whether opening a door, sitting down, or on the walk, you're his friend whether you know him or not! Now he's being requested by so many to be seen daily, all day long!  His social game is off the charts!  He's known as the "cool ass dog" and I agree 100%!

3/15/2024 Booker is awesome with people and doing great in the prison environment. He and I have really bonded. 

Today, Booker passed his Level One Obedience Test after being here only two weeks! He's one smart dude and a very quick learner. I call him my "Super Dog." 

Booker can be quite pushy when he wants to go out and will bypass anyone in his way, without hesitation. I understand that he is learning but mowing people over is not acceptable! So, we spent a lot of time this week walking and sitting at doorways so he understands that we need good behavior and not a canine lawn mower. 

My "Super Dog" loves to play. He zig zaggs with the zoomies to start off for a good 10-15 minutes, releasing energy by the second. As I was watching him taking his laps around me and enjoying his athletic ability, I briefly took my eyes off him. Shortly after, with a full gallop, he collided into the backs of my legs knocking me right on my butt. So unexpected, all I could do was accept my defeat with a smile on my face. That's my "Super Dog!" 

3/8/2024 Booker and I spent the first week together working on his basic commands and socialization skills. We also spent a lot of time on "leash walking." He is a quick learner and definitely a magnet for people. His looks lure them in and his fantastic personality keeps them coming back. His charming capabilities need no assistance, and he could give me some pointers there! LOL. 

Booker only gets on the bed when invited, but he is a real cuddle bug. He crawls right up on me and then rolls over with his feet in the air for his belly to be rubbed. Hilarious. He is such a great dog!