I laav Tango

Today I went back to see Tango. He was lying down in his cage, with his front legs tucked in again. When I walked by the door, he recognized me and looked up right away. He even maintained eye contact with me as I opened the door to the building and went inside. He backed away when I went up to the cage, though. So I said "okay, i'll be back for you. Let me get someone to let you out" and I left to go find someone. Even after I left, though, he was still alert and looked around at me/for me quizzically. (good sign!)

Tango was so afraid of the handler that I found that he urinated himself when his cage was opened to let him out. He actually wouldn't come out with the handler around, but he came out just fine when it was just me. He understand "come", but it's not every time that I can get his attention. I still cannot get over how calm this dog is, though he does get freaked out by sudden sounds/movements. He went over to play with other dogs, but even when the other dog tried to attack him (growling -> neck bite) he held his composure. Good dog.

Today, I tried to get him to climb up on a rock, just for shits and giggles. But he made it half way up, then wouldn't come down! So we was just posted up with his front legs on the rock looking way out at everything, but refused to budge. So I freaked him out by JUMPING onto the rock, which obviously freaked him out. Then he wouldn't move from his new spot! I actually got him to come to me, though, with gentle tension on the leash as I said come. TRUST!

Sadly, even though there is so much progress with Tango, I'm not sure if I'll be able to adopt him. My parents have made it a very big deal about having a dog, even though I told them that I HAVE to train the dog now in order for me to live a productive lifestyle in Grad school. But they say not under their house, and they are not dog people. I brought up how my dad bought our first dog for us, and how he himself introduced us to dogs. He said it was a mistake and that the rules have changed. They're not willing to sacrifice a bit of their lifestyle even for 6 days, let alone 6 months.

If I wait the 6 months, Tango may be adopted by someone else, or possibly be euthanized. (It was ironic they called it the "euth" list) Not only that, I'll have to wait to train the dog in college, where I'll be hard pressed for time and unable to properly supervise him in the beginning stages. If I get the dog now, I'll have to move out.

Edit: If I get the dog now, I'll "ruin the relationship with my parents"