Moose

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 Moose: A Lot of Personality in a Little Package   Moose is a 10–12 month old, 15-pound Havanese/Shih Tzu mix with a non-shedding coat, an enormous smile, and enough personality to live up to his very large name. He came to DPS from the shelter with his friend Mouse, but Moose is now ready to branch out and find a forever family of his own.   Friendly from the moment he arrived, Moose approaches life at full speed. He runs, jumps, plays, and attempts to cover the faces of his favorite people with kisses. Once he has burned off some of that puppy energy, he is equally enthusiastic about squeezing himself into the nearest available lap.   Moose on the Loose   Moose usually wakes up around 7 a.m. and heads into the backyard for his morning potty break. He eats breakfast around 8 a.m. and dinner at approximately 6 p.m.   During the day, Moose spends time playing and relaxing in the living room. When his foster family runs errands or needs to focus on a meeting, he stays comfortably in his crate. He receives frequent backyard potty breaks and goes on at least two walks each day.   Moose is always ready to participate in whatever his people are doing. He would love a family that will include him in daily activities, help him burn off his youthful energy, and appreciate his firm belief that personal space is completely unnecessary.   The Happiest Guy Around   Moose has been outgoing, affectionate, and energetic since day one. He loves people and greets them with his whole body—usually while smiling, wiggling, jumping, and trying to distribute as many kisses as possible.   Although Moose is a little ball of energy, he is also a serious cuddler. If a lap becomes available, he will find a way to occupy it. He may be only 15 pounds, but he approaches cuddling with the determination of a dog three times his size.   Moose is also famous in his foster home for his excellent “sploot.” After a busy round of play, he stretches his back legs behind him and settles onto the floor like a tiny, furry rug. It is difficult to look at Moose in full sploot position without smiling right along with him.   Walk This Way—or That Way   Moose enjoys going for walks, although he has not completely mastered the concept of traveling in one consistent direction. He may zigzag at first while he investigates the neighborhood and works through his initial excitement. With guidance and a little time to settle, he becomes a much more focused walking companion.   He does not bark at or chase people or dogs on walks and generally ignores the neighborhood dogs he passes.  Moose has not lived with a resident dog in his current foster home, though he came into the shelter with his canine friend Mouse and they lived in the same kennel. He also met quite a few dogs at the DPS Safehouse and was friendly with all. He also met a cat at the Safehouse and completely ignored her.   Crate-Trained and Comfortable Alone   Moose is fully crate-trained and does well when left home alone. His foster family places him in his crate with water while they run errands or attend work meetings. He may bark briefly when first crated, but he quickly settles and remains quiet. He keeps his crate clean and has not shown signs of separation anxiety.   That said, Moose is happiest when he is part of the action. He adores his people and will thrive with a family that has plenty of time for play, walks, training, and affection.   A Smart Young Student   Moose is an intelligent dog who is eager to engage with his people. He is mostly housetrained, does not mark inside, and succeeds when given regular opportunities to go outside.   Moose can also become a little mouthy during particularly exciting greetings. This behavior has only been directed toward the 18-year-old daughter in his foster home and appears to be exuberant puppy behavior rather than aggression. Consistent redirection, appropriate toys, and calm greetings will help him learn a more polite way to express his enthusiasm.   Coat and Care   Moose has a non-shedding coat. His soft coat will require regular brushing and professional grooming to prevent tangles and keep him looking and feeling his best.   Make Room for a Moose   Moose’s ideal family will appreciate a lively young dog and be excited to continue his training. He needs an active outlet for his energy, but his greatest wish is simply to be included. Give him walks, playtime, guidance, and plenty of affection, and Moose will reward you with endless smiles, enthusiastic kisses, impressive sploots, and as much lap time as you can handle.   There may be plenty of dogs looking for homes, but there is only one Moose—and this happy little guy is ready to make a very big impression.