River

River is a mystery that absolutely breaks our hearts.<br/>He's two years old, healthy, gentle, affectionate, and wonderfully soft in all the right ways. He has that sweet hound curiosity about the world, as though he's just arrived on Earth and would like someone to explain the purpose of butterflies and why treats are kept on shelves, out of reach.<br/>But River's greatest gift may be his appreciation for the simple things.<br/>Give him a stuffed squeaky toy and his entire face lights up. Then the show begins.<br/>He zips. He zooms. He tosses the toy into the air and pounces on it. He races across the yard and occasionally performs a full Risky Business-style slide with the toy tucked between his front paws, apparently confident that Olympic judges are watching from somewhere behind the kennels.<br/>And the joy on this dog's face is so pure and so ridiculous and so completely contagious that, for a few minutes, whatever else is going on in the world simply doesn't matter.<br/>You laugh. You watch him. You feel better.<br/>You feel like everything's going to be okay.<br/>When River decides you've been sufficiently entertained, he comes over and leans against you as closely as physics will allow. He wants pets. He wants snuggles. Sometimes he stands up, wraps his front legs around you, and very gently gives you a hug.<br/>That's River.<br/>And the mystery is why a dog with this much love, gentleness, humor, and sheer joy has been waiting over six months for someone to choose him.<br/>We wish we had an answer.<br/>Mostly, we just wish River had a home.<br/>Please share and come meet him at Animal Aid Society, 80 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, VA. Visiting hours are 9am to noon, daily, including weekends and holidays.<br/>Interested? Come for a visit any day of the week - 365 days a year between 9am - 12pm. Hope to see you soon!<br/><br/>PLEASE NOTE: Animal Aid Society observes a 40 mile adoption radius to facilitate post adoption support and follow ups.

River is a mystery that absolutely breaks our hearts.
He's two years old, healthy, gentle, affectionate, and wonderfully soft in all the right ways. He has that sweet hound curiosity about the world, as though he's just arrived on Earth and would like someone to explain the purpose of butterflies and why treats are kept on shelves, out of reach.
But River's greatest gift may be his appreciation for the simple things.
Give him a stuffed squeaky toy and his entire face lights up. Then the show begins.
He zips. He zooms. He tosses the toy into the air and pounces on it. He races across the yard and occasionally performs a full Risky Business-style slide with the toy tucked between his front paws, apparently confident that Olympic judges are watching from somewhere behind the kennels.
And the joy on this dog's face is so pure and so ridiculous and so completely contagious that, for a few minutes, whatever else is going on in the world simply doesn't matter.
You laugh. You watch him. You feel better.
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River is a mystery that absolutely breaks our hearts.
He's two years old, healthy, gentle, affectionate, and wonderfully soft in all the right ways. He has that sweet hound curiosity about the world, as though he's just arrived on Earth and would like someone to explain the purpose of butterflies and why treats are kept on shelves, out of reach.
But River's greatest gift may be his appreciation for the simple things.
Give him a stuffed squeaky toy and his entire face lights up. Then the show begins.
He zips. He zooms. He tosses the toy into the air and pounces on it. He races across the yard and occasionally performs a full Risky Business-style slide with the toy tucked between his front paws, apparently confident that Olympic judges are watching from somewhere behind the kennels.
And the joy on this dog's face is so pure and so ridiculous and so completely contagious that, for a few minutes, whatever else is going on in the world simply doesn't matter.
You laugh. You watch him. You feel better.
You feel like everything's going to be okay.
When River decides you've been sufficiently entertained, he comes over and leans against you as closely as physics will allow. He wants pets. He wants snuggles. Sometimes he stands up, wraps his front legs around you, and very gently gives you a hug.
That's River.
And the mystery is why a dog with this much love, gentleness, humor, and sheer