Big Gulp

Description

* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, November 7th from 12PM – 3PM (unless adopted prior to the event).  3910 Middlefield Road All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.   Adoption fee: $800 Meet Big Gulp: 30 pounds of Frenchie, an oversized serving of snuggles, and absolutely no interest in starting her day before she’s ready. Rescued from a shelter, this sweet girl, estimated to be 2 years old, has settled into foster life with three distinct operating modes: snuggly potato, accomplished napper, and zoomie clown. She takes all three jobs very seriously.   A full serving of personality   Big Gulp was a little shy when she first arrived, accepting affection but retreating to her crate when she wanted some quiet time. A few days later, her foster family met the girl behind the reserve: an affectionate, silly companion who loves to be wherever her people are. She’ll happily settle on a nearby dog bed, rug, or favorite couch spot while you get things done, keeping herself available should an opening for snuggles arise.   Her stuffies are treasured possessions, and she has a wonderfully gentle approach to household belongings. Once, her foster family discovered her sleeping with foster dad’s slipper as a pillow. No chewing, no damage—just a resourceful girl finding something comforting for her nap.   And then there are the sunbeams. Big Gulp doesn’t simply lie in the sunshine. She throws herself onto her back and wiggles and rolls with such wholehearted silliness that her foster family can’t help laughing. Give this girl a sunny spot and she’ll supply the entertainment.   Beauty sleep, strolls, and dinner reservations   Big Gulp usually wakes between 8 and 9 a.m., emerging from her crate with a glorious stretch and a request for morning cuddles. After a thorough backyard sniff and potty break, she’s ready for breakfast, a walk, and the nap she has apparently earned by waking up.   She can accommodate an earlier schedule, too. She has accompanied her foster mom to work several times and earned excellent marks as a coworker; she simply prefers a little time to wake up before breakfast.   Walks are a highlight of her day. The morning outing is lovely, but the afternoon or evening stroll is an appointment she expects you to keep. She’ll follow you around, catch your eye, and deploy her most persuasive expression until the leash appears. She’s looking for comfortable neighborhood ambles in cool weather, followed by quality couch time.   Her dining preferences are equally specific. Big Gulp enjoys kibble softened with warm water and appreciates the company of people eating nearby. Early on, her foster family even pretended to eat at the table to help her feel comfortable having her own meal. She’s becoming more flexible as she settles in, although dried salmon treats have always been welcome under absolutely any circumstances. Because her breed is prone to skin allergies, her foster family stays away from poultry and feeds a her a diet of Zignature whitefish formula along with fish-based treats.   After dinner, she resumes her rotation of cuddles, naps, and brief bursts of comedy. A final potty break and she’s ready for her crate, where she sleeps through the night.   Good habits and everyday life   Big Gulp rarely barks and has shown no destructive chewing. Her one gardening contribution came when she saw foster mom digging and decided to assist.   She is doing well with housetraining when given regular outdoor access. She often stands near the door and makes eye contact when she wants to go out, although sometimes she’s simply reporting that a sunbeam needs her attention. She has had a couple of accidents in foster care, so her adopters should plan to reinforce her routine as she adjusts.   On leash, she generally walks politely, though an interesting person, animal, or smell can inspire her to pull toward it. She’s practicing “leave it” and learning that the neighborhood offers plenty to enjoy without investigating every single distraction.   With regular potty outings and her beloved daily walks, Big Gulp could enjoy life in a house, condo, or apartment.   Helping Big Gulp feel secure   Big Gulp enjoys companionship and has managed absences of up to a couple of hours, both crated and in a limited area of her foster home. Her family has gradually built up that time. She can be very excited and quivery when someone returns—even when another familiar person has been home with her—and seeks reassurance before settling. Her new family should expect to help her build confidence with departures and a predictable routine.   She does not currently live with other dogs, but did well when meeting them at DPS during her intake. She currently lives with a cat but likes to chase her, so may not be a great fit for most felines.   Big Gulp can be nervous when meeting people and does best when she knows what to expect. Her fosters have found that reaching over her head to pet her can scare her or make her uncomfortable, so she needs a patient home that will meet her on her level and give her time to settle in and earn her trust. She is good at giving signals, as long as you're paying attention! Her adopters will need to respect her space, introduce handling gradually, and help her form positive associations with approaching hands. A calm, adult home would be the best starting point for helping her feel secure.   Your next favorite couch companion   Big Gulp is looking for people who appreciate a leisurely stroll, a well-timed nap, and a dog who gazes at them as though they’re the best part of her day. Her foster family has fallen hard for her tender heart and ridiculous sunshine dances, and saying goodbye will bring plenty of tears.   For the family who welcomes her home, there’s a very generous serving of love waiting.