Sprite

Description

* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, August 29th 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   Meet Sprite: It’s Finally Her Turn to Be the Baby   Sprite may be tiny, but this little girl has already packed an extraordinary amount of life into her first year. She arrived at DPS Rescue in May with her two sisters—and then surprised everyone by revealing that she was pregnant! At just 10–12 months old and approximately 9 pounds, Sprite gave birth to three beautiful puppies and proved to be an absolutely devoted mother. She has raised her babies with endless patience and love, and now that her job is complete, it is finally Sprite’s turn to be cherished.   Sweet, Gentle and Wonderfully Independent   Sprite has had the sweetest personality from the moment she entered her foster home. Her signature greeting is impossible to resist: she wags her tail, rolls onto her back and politely presents her belly for gentle rubs. It is her own charming way of saying, “Hello, I am friendly, adorable and ready to be appreciated.”   She enjoys affection without demanding it. Sprite is happy to sit beside you on the couch, be carried in your arms or ride along in a sling, but she is not a dog who needs to be attached to her person every moment. When she has had enough cuddling, she simply becomes a little wiggly and asks to be placed back on the ground. She likes being included while still having the freedom to do her own thing.   At night, Sprite has enjoyed having free range of the house. She may sleep in her signature sploot on the cool floor beside her foster mom’s bed or curl up on top of the couch, where she can keep watch through the front window. If she needs a nighttime potty break, she will often jump onto the bed and wake her foster mom to ask to go outside.   Chief Toy Relocation Officer   Sprite’s favorite place is undoubtedly the backyard. She loves sunbathing, sniffing around and enjoying the fresh air—but apparently she believes her toys deserve the same experience.   One by one, Sprite carries every stuffed animal, ball, rope, squeaker and approved sock toy out of the house. Her foster family once discovered that she had completely emptied the toy box and relocated approximately 15 toys into the yard. Some were resting in the sunshine, some were scattered near the door and others had been carefully positioned for possible burial. Her foster mom brings everything back inside, and within a day or two, Sprite has moved the entire collection outdoors again. The system makes perfect sense to Sprite, and she sees no need to explain herself.   When she is not managing the outdoor toy department, Sprite enjoys a good hoof chew and occasionally breaks into joyful zoomies. With her tail tucked and her tiny ears pinned back, she races around the yard at approximately 100 miles per hour. Those zoomies have become more frequent as her puppies have grown, allowing Sprite’s own playful puppy side to finally emerge. Watching this very young mama pounce, chase and wrestle with her babies has been especially touching for her foster family.   Sprite also has an occasional snaggle tooth that is simply too cute to go undocumented. When it appears, the cameras come out.   An Easy Little Companion   Sprite is generally calm and low-key, but she is also an excellent little traveler. She rides comfortably in her car seat, has commuted to work in a sling and has attended events and outings in a dog stroller. She does not appear to experience carsickness and has handled new sights and sounds beautifully.   Although she is frequently carried or chauffeured in style, Sprite is perfectly capable of walking on a leash. She follows her person’s lead, does not pull and has not shown reactivity toward the people, dogs or everyday activity she encounters.   Sprite has peacefully coexisted with two large dogs since her first day in foster care. They lounge, sunbathe and explore the yard together without tension, although Sprite does not rely on them for entertainment or companionship. She could live happily with another gentle, easygoing dog or enjoy being the center of her family’s universe.  Sprite has had limited experience with children. Because of her very petite size, she would be best suited to respectful older children who understand that she is a dog—not a toy—and will allow her to choose when and how she wants affection.   House-Training and Time Alone   Sprite understands that pottying belongs outside and communicates when she needs to go. Since giving birth, Sprite has had frequent backyard access and has done very well. She can also have free range of the house overnight and will usually wake her foster mom when she needs to go out. With reasonable opportunities, consistency and a predictable routine, her foster family expects her good potty habits to continue.   Sprite did well in an oversized crate when she first arrived, especially when encouraged inside calmly with treats. Later, she was gated in the kitchen for greater comfort during her pregnancy. Because she has had an in-home caregiver since her puppies were born, she has not recently spent extended periods entirely alone or returned to regular crating. Her new family should give her a gradual transition as she adjusts to a new schedule.   Sprite does not chew or dig, although she may use her nose to “bury” a special snack beneath a blanket or among the rocks for later. She occasionally barks at wildlife or unfamiliar noises in the backyard and may alert from her couch-top lookout post, but she responds when asked to settle and is otherwise a fairly quiet girl.   The Way to Sprite’s Heart   Sprite has opinions about food—and she is not afraid to revise them without notice. Some of her pickiness may have been connected to pregnancy, nursing and the high-calorie diet she needed while raising her puppies. Chicken-based foods have been the most reliable choice, with warmed rotisserie chicken holding a particularly prestigious place on her menu. She will also eat chicken-based wet food, sometimes with a little shredded cheese to get her started, and she occasionally grazes on kibble.   As Sprite finishes weaning her puppies and settles into her next chapter, she may develop a more predictable eating routine. Her dream family will be patient with her preferences and perhaps willing to make her meals feel like part of the family dining experience. Applications from private chefs will receive especially serious consideration.   Sprite’s beautiful non-shedding Poodle-type coat requires regular brushing and professional grooming. Without proper care, her soft hair can mat and form tangles.   Sprite’s Happily Ever After   Sprite would thrive in a loving home that appreciates her gentle independence. She would enjoy access to a secure yard for sunbathing and toy relocation, light daily walks, comfortable places to rest and people who will include her without overwhelming her. Most of all, she deserves a family that will give her patience and grace as she adjusts to finally being someone’s beloved little dog.   Sprite has already survived life on the streets, entered an unfamiliar foster home, navigated pregnancy and raised three puppies—all while she was still practically a puppy herself. Through every change, she has remained sweet, trusting and remarkably easygoing. She has been a 20-out-of-10 mother, pouring all her love into Slice, 7-Up and Sierra Mist.   Now the babies are growing up, the toy box is waiting to be emptied again, and Sprite is ready for a future devoted entirely to her.