Like the kids getting their own bedrooms for the first time.
Too cute.

Thank you Figarosmom

He runs out to "do his business", then he runs back to the door, leans against it, and whines until I let him in.

In the six months before I got him, he was in seven different homes, including three stints at the local shelter. Animal control recovered him from a backyard cage in the middle of winter. He was adopted twice (he is super cute) but surrendered both times within a couple of weeks because he doesn't act right.

He absolutely will not play, he will not run (I've seen him try, but I don't think he ever learned how), he has panic attacks, and he is not affectionate or enthusiastic for anything. He likes to be in the same room as me, but rarely close enough for me to touch him. He doesn't greet me when I come home, and if I call him he often runs and hides. He has a small space in my bedroom between my dresser and a chest of drawers where he spends most of his time. I've had him five years now, and I doubt he will ever be "normal".

I talked to the guy I got him from, and he said he used to just lock him in his truck at night because he didn't want him in the house where he could make a mess.

The good news is he now has a comfortable, secure home with plenty of good food, regular baths and grooming, a daily walk, and a peaceful, quiet environment. He will let me pet him, but he gets really nervous after just a few seconds and moves away from me. He seems OK with baths and grooming.

I am an old codger myself, so I don't mind that he is not playful or active. I don't know that I could keep up with a dog as active as my last one. Hopefully, I will live long enough to see this guy through to his end. I don't know what would become of him if I was not able to care for him.

Sounds like he's found a place of security for himself but us still weary of being our and out happy. After 5 years at least he is comfortably numb, I guess the expression would be.