Axel’s Personality: First Pass

It never fails. We will be volunteering by visiting one of Greyhound Welfare’s many open houses in the D.C. metro area and Axel will turn to smile at me. Someone will be stroking the top of his head, but more than likely, they have found that special spot along his throat that makes him just ecstatic to be a dog loved by so many humans. When it starts, he will stretch his neck upwards, close his eyes, and his tail will begin to wag to beat the band. The expression is priceless. But that doesn’t seem to be enough. He will turn his head towards me, his mouth will open, and his tongue will fall out. His eyes are amber puddles of happiness and I, in turn, reflexively return his smile. On cue, I tell Axel, “Yes, I know they love you. Everyone loves you.” The visitors usually laugh, but I know it’s the truth. Axel has this ability to draw humans toward him almost effortlessly, even those who tend to be hesitant around dogs or large breeds.

Axel Foley is quite the name to live up to and Axel tries his best. I always say that his breeder pegged his personality from the moment he was whelped.

When I think of adjectives to describe Axel’s personality in public with strangers, the first word is always gregarious closely followed by egomaniacal. I think of it as Axel was made for the red carpet of greyhound rescue. This boy is the king of cool confidence. He’ll gladly spend the entire two hours of an open house allowing people to pet him, children hang on him, and making it his personal mission to greet every dog that stops by. But, really, it’s not just at open houses. We can be walking our neighborhood, visiting a shopping area, or on a hike in the wilderness. Axel draws people to him no matter where we go together. He loves human attention and the treats, ear rubs, neck rubs, and butt rubs that come with it.

Axel has this gentle way of stepping into a human’s space that is as disarming and inviting as it is self-serving. I say that he’s a secret leaner. He won’t lean into you like other greyhounds do, the full force of their body enough to knock you over. He will stand a pace off as he assesses you, then will side step in and gently make contact with your legs. It is quick and subtle, but in my book it is still a lean. It also isn’t all unlike how dogs will approach each other off center when they are comfortable with each other. If you don’t get the subtle hint, though, he then gently pushes his head under your head. It’s demanding but gentle and incredibly clever on Axel’s part. He hasn’t jumped on you or pushed you over. He just is a poor dog craving your gentle, loving attention. You would think he was starved for attention and I will admit that he would take mine all day if he thought he could get it freely.