Thanks again everybody, I am surprised at the amount of attention this thread is generating but I sure appreciate it! It looks like a done-deal. I filled out my adoption application and the lady I gave it to looked it over and said that although she is not the one that approves them, she didn't foresee any problems. I now "officially" have first-dibs on him and am just waiting on the neutering which is as yet unscheduled but they said they would phone me later today (the lady tried to phone while I was there but the vet was closed for lunch).
It sounds like he has won over the hearts of all the girls in there! They said he is still very timid but is getting better every day.
Best part of it all was I finally got to visit him! He still looks pretty skinny and was a little timid but I think he recognized me. He sniffed my jacket (firmly entrenched with the smell of Bud and Tash) quite enthusiastically and then just sat calmly while I stroked him and told him he was coming home soon. The only downside was all the other dogs there that need homes too.

Well, I gotto go charge up my camera batteries!!

Thanks again everyone for your kind words, encouragement and support!