Eeyore

Description

* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, August 22nd 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: $800 Some dogs walk into your life and immediately demand to be the center of attention. Eeyore is different. She quietly slips into your heart, one tiny step at a time… and then somehow you can't imagine your life without her. At 8 years old and just 5.6 pounds, Eeyore is basically a tiny, fluffy little marshmallow with legs. She arrived in foster care a very frightened girl. The world was overwhelming, people were scary, and her crate was her safe place. She would watch her foster family from a distance, wanting so badly to be part of things but not yet brave enough to make the leap. And then something beautiful happened. Eeyore started to realize that maybe people weren't so scary after all. Day by day, she has been coming out of her shell. First she slept near the gate of her x-pen. Then she discovered the dog bed. Then she allowed her foster to pet her while she was curled up and feeling safe. Then she started exploring the house. Then she started sniffing her foster's feet. And finally, she accepted treats directly from a human hand. For Eeyore, these may sound like tiny accomplishments. They aren't. They're everything. This little girl is learning that she can trust. She is learning that a hand reaching toward her can mean love instead of something frightening. She is learning that the world has soft beds, morning walks, treats, people who come home, and apparently… feet worth investigating. And watching her figure all of this out is pretty darn adorable. Eeyore is a quiet, gentle, submissive little soul. She doesn't chase squirrels, doesn't bark at people or other dogs, doesn't chew things up, doesn't dig, and has shown no destructive behavior. She isn't interested in creating chaos. She is more of a “Can I just quietly exist over here near you?” kind of girl. In fact, Eeyore has discovered that she rather enjoys being near her people—as long as they don't get too close too quickly. She likes to sleep beside the table where her foster family works on their laptops. She wants to be part of the family. She just prefers to participate from what she considers a very reasonable distance. Think of her as the introvert who absolutely wants to attend the party but would prefer to sit quietly in the corner and observe everyone. She is also becoming quite the little lounge expert. After a walk, Eeyore is perfectly happy to come home, eat dinner, and settle down for a nap. She doesn't need someone to run her into the ground. She needs someone willing to let her move at her own pace and celebrate the little victories along the way. And those little victories are happening quickly. Remember the terrified girl who wouldn't even sit on the grass? She's now going on walks. The girl who wouldn't take a treat from her person's hand? She's now taking treats. The girl who spent her days hiding in her crate? She's now exploring the house and choosing to sleep near her people. Eeyore would thrive in a calm, patient home, ideally with someone who is around much of the day. Another calm, confident dog could be a wonderful companion for her. She would also do best with older, gentle children because she is still head-shy and can retreat when she feels overwhelmed. She does have some separation anxiety, and when left alone she may bark or howl for a while. But even that is improving. After a good morning walk, she recently settled within about 30 minutes and slept for the rest of the time her foster was gone. She isn't destructive—she just needs time to learn that when her people leave, they really do come back. There is something incredibly special about adopting a dog like Eeyore. You don't just get to bring home a dog. You get to be the person who teaches her that she is safe. You get to watch the first time she walks confidently across the room. The first time she climbs into your lap. The first time she follows you because she wants to, not because she's afraid to be left behind. The first time she realizes that your home is hers. And honestly? Someone is going to meet Eeyore, see that tiny 5.6-pound face, and know immediately that she's their girl. We're just hoping that person doesn't wait too long. Because Eeyore isn't the dog who is going to jump into the arms of the first person she meets. She's the dog who is going to make you earn her trust and then make you feel like the luckiest person in the world when she finally gives it to you. And once Eeyore decides you're her person? That's the kind of love you don't get back very often.