🐾 Meet Spyros ❤️

“All I ever wanted was to be loved…”

Hello hoomans… my name is Spyros, and I am a very handsome German Shorthaired Pointer boy with a very big heart.

I was born on 31 July 2024, and although I am still a young boy, I have already learned one of life’s hardest lessons — sometimes the people we love don’t love us back in the way we deserve.

I belonged to a Greek hunter on the Island of Skopelos, he had me from a puppy and occasionally would let me out free sometimes on his land.  As he was elderly he never wanted to do anything with me or look after me properly, he never took me hunting and just no longer wanted me.

I didn’t understand why.

I hadn’t stopped loving him.
I hadn’t stopped trying.
And I certainly hadn’t stopped being the loyal, affectionate boy that I am.

Thankfully, a wonderfully kind lady called Venessa stepped forward and decided that my life was worth saving.  She found me a safe foster home, where I could finally be protected and given the chance to discover that humans can be kind.

And so I waited…

And waited…

And waited.

I have spent all summer patiently waiting for my chance to travel to the UK, hoping that somewhere out there is the family who will finally look at me and say:

“You’re ours, Spyros. You’re home.” ❤️

I think I’m ready.

❤️ I’m a VERY affectionate boy

One of my favourite things in the whole world is being with people.

I love affection. I love being stroked. I love cuddles. I love engaging with my humans and being part of whatever is happening.

If someone approaches me kindly, I’m usually very happy to engage with them.

But I am also a sensitive soul.

Sometimes, if somebody approaches very suddenly, reaches over my head or makes fast movements towards me, I can feel a little unsure and may avoid the interaction. It’s not because I don’t like people — it’s simply because I need a moment to understand that I’m safe.

So my future family will need to remember something very important about me:

Kindness is my language.

Give me patience, calmness and respect, and I will give you my heart.

After everything I’ve been through, I think that’s a pretty wonderful exchange. ❤️

🐾 I’m a clever boy who loves to learn

I have already learned some basic obedience, including:

Sit • Down • Stay • Heel • Come • Leave It

I’m not a boy who knows lots of fancy tricks, but I am intelligent, food motivated and very willing to work with my person when they communicate clearly with me.

And ohhh… did someone say TREATS? 👀

I’m very food driven!

I do tend to take treats rather quickly because I’m enthusiastic, but I’m not rough and I have never shown food or resource guarding towards people.

If I were to live with another dog, my rescue family would recommend that we are fed separately to begin with. That’s simply sensible rescue practice while everyone gets to know one another.

🎾 Let’s have some FUN!

I’m a young GSP, so yes… I have energy!

I love activity and I’m always ready for an adventure.

I particularly love tennis balls and enjoy different toys, including some tug toys.

I’m also very scent-driven, which is hardly surprising for a Pointer boy like me. My nose can sometimes become VERY interested in something, and when that happens I can become quite focused!

When I’m indoors, though, I’m actually quite calm.

So I’m not a dog who needs to be entertained every second of the day. I need a family who understands that my exercise, enrichment and mental stimulation are important — and who will then happily let me relax beside them afterwards.

🌿 Walkies & adventures

I’m used to regular walks and I generally walk nicely on a collar with a loose lead.

I can give a little pull when something catches my attention, but I’m not generally a dog who drags his person around.

I’ve lived around urban environments and am very accustomed to everyday noises. Cars, traffic and general city sounds don’t bother me greatly.

I’ve even been exposed to gunshots, and I’m remarkably noise-proof.

I’ve visited cafés, beaches and different environments and I’ve even been swimming!

Be warned, though…

I REALLY enjoy the beach! 🌊

My enthusiasm levels can go up considerably when I’m somewhere exciting.

I’m also generally very interested in meeting other dogs and people, whether I’m on lead or off lead, and I will often want to say hello. I can sometimes become rather persistent with sniffing and social interaction, but overall I have made very good progress with my social skills.

Other dogs

I’ve lived with two dogs of the opposite sex for several months and have shown that I can live successfully alongside other dogs when personalities and circumstances are right.

I don’t necessarily need another dog in my new home, but I could potentially enjoy having a canine companion.

A friendly female dog of a similar or larger physical size could be a lovely match for me, particularly one who is confident and socially sensible and who can politely teach me some boundaries without being overly confrontational.

I also enjoy interacting with the average dog when out and about.

My rescue family will always want introductions to be handled carefully and thoughtfully, because the right match matters much more than simply having another dog in the home.

What about cats?

This is where my Pointer instincts need to be understood.

I actually lived for around two years with two cats from puppyhood, and cats have never been a huge source of stress for me.

However…

I am still a hunting breed.

I have prey drive and, when I see animals that I perceive as prey, my natural hunting instincts can appear.

I have learned some boundaries and respond well to a clear “No”, but my future family must never assume that because I have lived with cats, I will automatically be safe with every cat or every small animal.

A calm, experienced approach, careful introductions and sensible management will be essential.

I have never shown persistent conflict-seeking behaviour, but my instincts are my instincts — and my humans need to understand them.

Children

I haven’t had a great deal of interaction with children, so this is something my rescue family will want to approach carefully.

I’ve shown no signs of aggressive behaviour towards children, although I can sometimes be a little unsure or agitated when situations are unfamiliar.

For that reason, I would ideally be suited to dog-savvy children and adults who understand how to respect a dog’s personal space and body language.

I’m not looking for a chaotic home where everyone rushes around me.

I’m looking for people who will understand me.

Adventures in the car

I’ve travelled quite often by car and have travelled in a crate.

I did experience travel sickness previously, which was probably linked to how I was introduced to the crate in the beginning.

Thankfully, I’ve made progress.

My future family should continue to make car travel a positive experience and understand that, like everything else, I’m still learning.

🏡 When you leave me…

I can become a little anxious when I’m separated from my person.

Sometimes I make a little crying sound when I’m anticipating something exciting or when I’m experiencing separation anxiety.

I cope much better when I’ve had appropriate exercise and mental stimulation before being left.

A canine companion could potentially help me with this, although having another dog isn’t essential.

My future family will need to understand that I am a social, affectionate boy who wants to feel secure, and that alone-time should be introduced gradually rather than simply expecting me to cope immediately.

The boy behind the story

Perhaps the most important thing you need to know about me is this…

I wasn’t given the best start in life.

I wasn’t raised in the way a young Pointer should have been.

But despite that, I have shown such wonderful progress.

I’ve learned to cooperate with my handlers.

I’ve learned commands.

I’ve learned boundaries.

I’ve learned how to live around dogs and cats.

I’ve learned about cafés, beaches, cars, busy environments and all the strange noises that come with life.

And through all of it, I have remained affectionate.

Loyal.

Hopeful.

And loving.

I’m a sensitive, high-energy, intelligent boy who can become hypervigilant when I’m anticipating activity or when I’m intensely focused on something. But once I’m indoors and life is calm, I can settle beautifully.

What I need isn’t perfection.

I need understanding.

I need humans who will communicate clearly with me, respect my personality and history, give me appropriate boundaries and make sure my physical and emotional needs are met.

In return?

You’ll have a wonderfully affectionate, fun-loving Pointer who is always ready to join you on an adventure…

…and then come home and curl up knowing that he’s finally safe.

Could YOU be my forever family?

I’ve waited all summer for this moment.

While other dogs have been going home, I’ve been patiently waiting for my chance to travel.

Waiting for someone to choose me.

Because I’m beginning to wonder…

What if I’m here to just be someone’s best friend?

Someone’s walking buddy.

Someone’s adventure companion.

Someone’s shadow around the house.

Someone’s cuddle boy.

Someone’s gorgeous, silly, affectionate GSP who greets them every morning and thinks they are the most wonderful person in the entire world.

I just need someone to love me for me.

I’ve been patient.

I’ve waited.

I’ve kept my heart open.

And now I’m hoping that my forever family is somewhere out there, reading my story and thinking:

“Spyros… we think we’ve been waiting for you too.” ❤️🐾

Love,

Spyros
Your very affectionate, loyal, tennis-ball-loving, adventure-seeking Pointer boy 🐾❤️