Paisley

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: $650 Paisley: A Tiny Heart Learning to Be Brave   Some dogs burst into a room with confidence. Paisley prefers to tiptoe in quietly, watching from a safe distance before deciding if it's okay to trust. At just 7 pounds, this adorable Jack Russell Terrier/Chihuahua mix may be tiny, but her heart is full of hope—and every day she gets a little bit braver.   Paisley came to DPS with her buddy Plaid, and while she's still figuring out this whole "being someone's beloved pet" thing, she's already showing glimpses of the affectionate little companion she's meant to be. One of her sweetest habits is trotting over with her tail wagging, asking for attention... only to lose her nerve and scamper away at the last second. Every so often, though, courage wins. She'll stay put, roll onto her back, and happily soak up belly rubs before retreating again with an adorable, shy smile.  Once Paisley decides you're her person, she becomes your tiny shadow. She follows her foster from room to room, always wanting to know where you are, and is happiest relaxing nearby. During the day she's perfectly content snoozing on the couch, and at night she curls up in a dog bed beside her foster's bed. She's not demanding or high-energy—in fact, she's mostly a little couch potato who enjoys simply being close to the people she trusts. Paisley loves her daily routine, especially her three walks each day. She's a lovely leash walker who doesn't pull, though new sights and sounds can still make her nervous. If another dog is barking, she may bark back, and children seen from a distance can make her uneasy as well. She's much more interested in staying close to her person than greeting strangers or making new dog friends. Inside the home, Paisley is building confidence. She's trained to use a pee pad indoors and reliably does both her business there when not on a walk. Like many anxious dogs, she can become a nervous chewer if left alone, so shoes, charging cables, and anything tempting should be kept out of reach.  Giving her appropriate chew toys and managing her environment will help set her up for success while she continues to settle into family life.  Paisley currently lives with another small dog and peacefully coexists with him, occasionally stopping for a polite sniff before returning to her own business. She's not particularly playful, preferring quiet companionship over games.  Paisley's ideal family will understand that trust can't be rushed. She'll thrive with patient, experienced adopters who will celebrate the little victories—like the first time she chooses to stay for pets instead of running away. A quieter home without young children would likely help her continue building confidence at her own pace. The best part about Paisley is that you can see exactly what she's trying to do. She wants to be loved. She'll hurry over with hopeful eyes and a wagging tail, then second-guess herself and retreat before remembering that maybe, just maybe, this person is safe after all. Watching those moments of bravery become a little bigger every day is incredibly rewarding. If you're the kind of person who believes the sweetest relationships are built one tiny step at a time, Paisley is ready to take those steps with you.