Whistler
3 years old
Terrier Mix
Good with dogs
Cats unknown
Older kids only
Fostered in Spokane, WA
Hi! I am Whistler and I am about three years old. I weigh about eighteen pounds. I really can't tell you why I am as scared as I am, because you know, I am a dog. I only know how to speak dog. And speaking of dog, well I don't talk either. I mean, I talk with my eyes and my tail and my body language, but I don't talk with barks and whines. In fact Foster Mom has only heard me whimper very softly one time when I REALLY needed to go outside. She has never heard me bark, because well, I don't talk. Maybe it is because I am so scared. The shelter was such a very scary place for me. I really didn't like it in there. I was so happy to leave there! When I came to Foster Mom's house in Spokane I was so scared I just wanted to hide. Foster Mom understood that so she let me get comfortable at my own pace.
I have two foster sisters here and I like them a lot, even though the big sister kind of scares me sometimes. She really wants me to play with her, I think, but I am not sure so I am afraid to try to play. She moves kind of fast and it startles me. I am starting to understand though and I try to play. A little. The other foster sister is very old. She doesn't see or hear very well and she mostly sleeps. Or barks. A lot. Foster Mom says it is because she gets lost and needs Foster Mom to find her. Sometimes Foster Mom boards other dogs and there is even one big dog that comes every day for "day care". I get along with all of them, but they still scare me when they move too fast.
I LOVE to go outside in the back yard and when Foster Mom calls me with a whistle I always come running. (But sometimes I am afraid to come in the door until Foster Mom moves away from it.) That is why she called me Whistler. I like to go outside SO much that I even try to run out the front door. When that happens I get REALLY scared and run hard. Everything is REALLY scary out there! Even though I ran away from Foster Mom she didn't chase me. She just followed me and whistled over and over again until I remembered when she whistles for me good things happen. I was really glad when she caught me and brought me back to her house. I was so scared and she just held me and told me I was safe. I was shaking with fear and it just felt good to be safe.
Foster Mom says to tell you that I am very well house trained. I only had one accident when I couldn't wake Foster Mom. (Remember I did say that I don't talk?) But I use the doggy door like a champ and when I can get outside I never potty inside. Oh yeah, and I walk really well on a leash, but when you come towards me to clip the leash I just get scared and sort of shrink and make myself very small. Sometimes I even run away because I get scared when anyone tries to touch me. But I NEVER EVER bite or try to bite. Sometimes I hide in a crate because I feel safe in there. I am okay with being in a crate when you want me to be there, but I like to be loose in the house so I can go out the doggy door if I need a potty break. I really prefer to sleep with you but I like having my own bed too. I don't chew on things, but I have a secret. I like shoes. Your shoes. I don't chew on them. I just like to carry them to my bed and sleep with them. Foster Mom doesn't care as long as I don't chew on them. I really really like her slippers best. They have fur in them and they are soft. I don't USUALLY get into stuff but I did sneak into Foster Mom's grocery bag the other night. I discovered a bag of coconut in there and it just smelled too good to resist. Foster Mom said a whole bag of grated coconut was too much for a little guy like me. (I think it would have been nice to try though!)
I don't know much about cats. Foster Mom doesn't have any cats and I haven't seen any since I have been here so I don't know if I would get along with them or not.
When I first came here I was so scared I wouldn't even eat for a couple of days. I can't eat when I am scared or anxious. I am a little bit of a picky eater and I don't get too excited over food treats, but Foster Mom is giving me some really yummy food now and I get very excited about dinnertime. I even dance around a little with excitement. I take food very very gently from your hand and I never ever snatch it from your hand. Foster Mom puts some coconut oil or sometimes coconut milk in my food, and even kefir! I love kefir! Sometimes she even puts peanut butter powder in with my food. I even lick my bowl when she does that. I am ever so polite around food too. If the other dogs claim the food bowl I will let them have it, even if I really really want it. Foster Mom feeds me in a separate room so I can eat all of my food.
Foster Mom says I am the perfect dog. I don't bark too much or potty in the house, and I would love to snuggle up and sleep with you. My very favorite time of day is waking up and snuggling with Foster Mom. She calls it "soft time" but I am not sure why. I just know that I really like it. I don't even want to get up. I am very happy to just sleep in my bed all day. Foster Mom says I am a low energy couch potato. Is that a bad thing? I also have the cutest smile ever. Foster Mom says so and she never lies.
So what do you think? Are you ready to be my new best friend? I promise I will be the best lap warming, most polite bed warmer, and the most loyal bestie you have ever had. Foster Mom says I am an easy keeper. Just be careful with the front door... because you know, I really like outside. So if you think we could become soulmates just go to Power of the Paw and fill out an application. I would love to be your heart dog. Foster Mom says that is very special. I really want to be special.
Foster Mom here. Whistler is one of the easiest pups I have ever fostered. He is a complete sweetheart and he never barks. It would be so easy to just alłow him to move in and and stay forever. Even my dog selective Terrier approves of him and welcomed him immediately with a wagging tail and invitations to play. Trust me when I say that is incredibly rare. Whistler has shown almost no interest in toys but once he feels safe I think that might change. He is the snuggliest bed warmer ever. He has shown zero aggression, even when I tugged on a mat under his tail while brushing him. He is very scared of just about every person he meets. He has been here for two weeks and is just beginning to settle in. If he knows any commands he is keeping them secret. I haven't pushed any "training" on him because I wanted him to settle in and get comfortable. He still tries to hide when anyone new comes in. He burrows down in the blankets on the bed he has claimed, or when he is anxious he hides under my chair. I really love this little guy. If I didn't have a senior dog with dementia and a rescued dog selective cranky pants challenge already, he would fit in perfectly here. He deserves a guardian with a securely fenced yard who will give him the time and space he needs to feel safe (while guarding the door because he is fast!). With patience and love I think this little puffball will open up and show the world the confident dog that has been hiding behind his fears.
If you are interested in adopting me, head on over to http:// www.powerofthepaw.org/ dog-adoption-application and fill out the application.
ADOPTION FEE: $200 includes neuter, DAPP, Rabies, Bordetella, Microchip, deworm and vet check.
April 27, 2024, 12:09 am
