Touchstone

Description

* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, August 8th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.   Adoption fee: $750 Touchstone: The Sweetest Little Shadow You'll Ever Meet   Some dogs win you over with silly antics. Others steal your heart with endless energy. Touchstone has a different superpower— she makes you feel deeply loved.   This adorable 10–12 month old, 14-pound Cairn Terrier mix has a soft, non-shedding coat, expressive ears that seem to tell you exactly how she's feeling, and enough love packed into her tiny body to last a lifetime. Once you've earned her trust, Touchstone's favorite place in the world is right beside you. Whether she's curled up in your lap, snuggled against your side on the couch, or gently giving you sweet little kisses, she has an incredible way of making you feel like the most important person in the room.   A Typical Day with Touchstone   Touchstone starts her mornings around 8 a.m. with one of the biggest stretches you've ever seen before making the rounds to greet everyone in the house. Breakfast is one of her favorite parts of the day, especially when her kibble has a little water mixed in.   After breakfast she takes care of her potty business using a potty pad indoors, where she feels safe and comfortable. She's done an excellent job with her potty pad training and has had very few accidents since settling into foster care.   The rest of her day is a comfortable mix of naps, cuddles, and quiet playtime. While she'll occasionally entertain herself with a toy, she'd much rather spend time with her people than almost anything else. Around 8 p.m. she enjoys dinner, followed by one last potty break, a little evening playtime, and bedtime in her crate around 10 p.m.   Touchstone sleeps quietly through the night in her crate, although if she had a vote, she'd almost certainly choose the human bed instead! She initially protested bedtime, but after about a week she happily accepted the routine and now settles in nicely.   A Heart Full of Love   When Touchstone first arrived in foster care, the world felt like a very scary place. Today, she's already made wonderful progress.   She now understands her daily routine, has become much more comfortable when her family leaves the house, and is slowly learning that people can be trusted. While she'll likely always appreciate a gentle, patient approach, every day her confidence grows a little more.   And once she decides you're one of her people...   Prepare to have a permanent cuddle buddy.   Her foster family says they've never met a dog this affectionate. She wants to be close to her humans whenever possible, happily curling up in laps, snuggling on the couch, and offering gentle kisses that almost seem like her way of saying, "Thank you for making me feel safe."   Home Life   Touchstone currently lives with an 11-pound Maltipoo and coexists very peacefully. She doesn't pay much attention to other dogs, even on walks, preferring to quietly observe them from a distance. She's also wonderfully quiet around strangers and rarely barks.   When she's feeling overwhelmed, Touchstone knows exactly where to find comfort. You'll often find her tucked beneath the couch or relaxing in her crate— both have become safe spaces where she can decompress whenever she needs a little break.   Her Next Adventure   Touchstone is still building confidence with the outside world. Walks are a work in progress, and unfamiliar sights and sounds can still be intimidating. The encouraging news is that she's very responsive to gentle leash guidance and is already making steady progress. With time, patience, and positive experiences, she'll continue discovering that the world isn't nearly as scary as it once seemed.   The Perfect Home   Touchstone will thrive with someone who understands that confidence isn't built overnight. She'll do best with a patient family willing to continue helping her explore the world at her own pace while celebrating every small victory along the way.   In return, she'll reward you with unwavering devotion, endless cuddles, and enough love to fill your home many times over.   If you're looking for a quiet companion whose greatest joy is simply being close to her favorite person, Touchstone just might be your perfect match. She has already come so far, and the lucky family who adopts her will have the privilege of watching this sweet little girl continue to blossom into the confident dog she was always meant to be.