Mouse

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: $700 Meet Mouse: Eight Pounds of Love, Curiosity, and Absolutely No Personal Space   Mouse is a 10–12 month old Terrier mix who weighs a whopping 8 pounds. He came to DPS from the shelter alongside his friend Moose, but this tiny gentleman is ready to scurry into a forever home of his very own. He may be small enough to tuck under one arm, but he has an enormous personality—and an even bigger capacity for affection.   Little Mouse, Big World   When Mouse first arrived in foster care, the outside world felt like a very big place. Wind, darkness, crunchy leaves, airplanes, and unfamiliar noises all required careful observation from a safe distance. On his early walks, he would stop whenever he encountered something new and take a moment to study it before deciding whether it was safe to continue.   Since then, Mouse has made wonderful progress. He is much more comfortable exploring his neighborhood and has even begun expressing opinions about which direction the walk should take. He does not bark at passing people, dogs, or squirrels and often prefers to mind his own business rather than stop for introductions. Mouse is still a thoughtful little fellow, but his confidence continues to grow with patience, encouragement, and plenty of mozzarella cheese.   Yes, mozzarella is one of the keys to Mouse’s heart. The other is apparently any crumb that may have fallen within a five-mile radius. True to his name, he arrived in his foster home with his little nose leading the way, carefully investigating every corner in search of an overlooked snack.   Mouse’s Daily Agenda   Mouse generally begins his day around 7:30 or 8 a.m. with a trip outside for a potty break, followed by a morning snack. Lunch is served around noon or 12:30 p.m., and he enjoys a brief neighborhood walk afterward—preferably along a shady route. Dinner is typically around 7 p.m., followed by another potty break, with one final trip outside around 10 p.m. before bed.   During the day, Mouse keeps busy with toys and bully sticks. Despite his tiny stature, he approaches a bully stick with the determination of a much larger dog. Most do not survive longer than 48 hours. He also enjoys plush toys and often becomes especially playful after a delicious meal. Once playtime is over, however, Mouse is happy to return to his primary occupation: professional snuggling.   Chief Snuggling Officer   Mouse is extraordinarily affectionate and believes personal space is more of a suggestion than a rule. His favorite place is in a lap, pressed against someone’s side, or otherwise maintaining some form of bodily contact. He follows his foster from room to room and is always prepared to distribute kisses to any accessible arms, legs, toes, or faces.   As he has settled into foster care, Mouse has begun showing a little more independence. If his person is nearby, he may remain comfortably on the couch and wait for their return rather than following every step. Still, anyone adopting Mouse should expect a devoted little companion who wants to be included in daily life.   At night, Mouse strongly prefers sleeping beside his person rather than in a crate. He is not yet crate-trained, although he has learned to tolerate a crate for short periods. He is also remarkably clever and agile when contained in an exercise pen, so his future family will need a secure and thoughtfully arranged setup.   Home Alone   Being separated from his person is not Mouse’s favorite activity. He may bark immediately after someone leaves, but he generally settles within a few minutes and then waits quietly for their return. He can entertain himself with appropriate toys and chew items while his foster is at work.   Mouse would thrive in a home where he can enjoy plenty of companionship and gradually practice feeling safe and secure when left alone. He does not need constant attention every moment of the day, but he would love a family that genuinely enjoys having a tiny dog involved in the rhythm of everyday life.   A Tiny Household Assistant   Mouse is not simply adorable—he is also helpful. One day, his foster was loading the washing machine and accidentally left a sock behind. After the rest of the laundry had been loaded, she turned around to find Mouse proudly bringing the missing sock to her.   He is not much of a barker, does not dig, and generally saves his voice for those first few moments after being left alone.   Dogs, Cats, and Children   Mouse has not lived with children, cats, or other pets in his current foster home. When he was rescued, he was very attached to his shelter companion Moose, so he has shown that he can form a close connection with another dog. He also met a cat at the DPS Safehouse and was not terribly interested, so he may be an option for a home with cats, given a slow introduction.    He is also still building confidence with new sights, sounds, and experiences. Mouse will do best with a family that allows him to observe the world at his own pace while gently encouraging him forward. His progress in foster care has already shown just how much he can blossom when he feels safe.   Mouse’s Forever Home   Mouse’s ideal family will appreciate a deeply affectionate dog who wants to be close, provide the structure and consistency a young dog needs, and continue working on housetraining, independence, and confidence. In return, Mouse will bring his family an endless supply of kisses, enthusiastic snuggles, determined bully-stick demolition, and possibly assistance with the laundry.   At only 8 pounds, Mouse will not take up much room in your home. Your lap, however, is another story.