My name is Cricket!

UPDATED BIO 01/29/2011: Cricket is only 2-1/2 years old and weighs a itsy bitsy 4#; she is being fostered in The Villages, Florida. Cricket has been in her foster home for almost a week now, and boy-oh-boy does her Foster Mom need to make some changes to her bio! Cricket was surrendered by her owner who was unable to care for her due to her serious and on-going medical condition. Cricket was loved dearly by her mom, but was very spoiled and never disciplined. She only went outside maybe 2-3x during the 2 years she was in her previous home. Therefore, she needs to be properly socialized to everything just as if she is a puppy. NOW…..here’s the part that needs some updating; although Cricket had a history of not getting along with other dogs, since she has been in her foster home, she is getting along exceptionally well with the resident dogs. She does understand pack structure, and when she has been admonished by the alpha female (yorkie) in the home, she knows to turn around and go the other way. Cricket is definitely an alpha diva who is high-energy and very needy, meaning she begs for attention all the time; however, she is quite content to lie beside you or in your lap. The nervousness she displayed at first has lessened, but since she wasn’t properly socialized, she does get frightened of noises or things she hasn’t experienced before. She loves loves loves going outside and when she hears the squirrels skittering about the trees overhead, her little head and nose go up as she is very curious about her surroundings. She is getting used to the donkey and cow sounds, but still will look toward the field with her ears at attention. FM has been taking her for short walks with a harness/leash and she is doing well, but still needs some work in this department. Although initially it was thought that Cricket would need a behavioral evaluation, it appears that she is quite a sweet and loving dog who may have been a bit bored in her previous home since she didn’t receive much exercise and playtime. Cricket is very smart and will do well in a structured environment where her new parents will continue with socializing her so that she will be a well-mannered little dog.

NOTE! Cricket can only be adopted in an adult-only home. She needs at least one stay-at-home parent as she cries when left alone; she has been crated most of her life, so we wouldn’t want to see her crated for long periods of time (she does sleep all night long in her crate and is fine with that as long as she is in FM’s bedroom by her side). At this time, we feel that she would be okay in the home with a passive male dog, close to her size and weight, or she would certainly be happy if she was the only Princess in the home. Because of her high-energy level, a home where the parents are active and will take Cricket with them when they go out is preferred. Cricket is housetrained to go on pee-pee pads or she will go outside when taken out regularly. Cricket does not have a history with cats, so she cannot go into a home with a cat. Please do not apply unless your home meets the requirements that Cricket needs.

INITIAL BIO 01/23/2011: Hi, my name is Cricket!! Cute, huh? As you can tell from my pictures, I'm way more than cute, I'm adorable. I think my name should be Princess Cricket. Anyway, my mom had to give me up because she was not able to care for me any longer. See, it wasn't because she didn't love me, cuz she really did - a lot - but she had a hard time breathing and walking and I am such a little pistol that she just couldn't keep up with me. I am only 2-1/2 years old and weigh a itsy bitsy 4#; I am being fostered in The Villages, Florida. Now, a little bit about me, other than my looks, I am.....well......kinda.....um......A BRAT!! I am very smart and can follow commands like sit, stay, go to mat, wait; I just don't like doing anything I don't deem totally necessary, like pee-peeing where I'm supposed to, and being pleasant around other dogs, cats, children, and just about anybody else but my momma. So, I think I'm in training here at Auntie Dianne's School of Charm and Good Manners, and so far it's pretty great. She fed me some yummy dinner with chicken in it - yum yum! She brushed my hair and even put a pony tail in it, and I didn't squabble about it one bit. Auntie Dianne tells me that I need to learn not to bite other dogs and children (let me tell you, I do not like children!), and be pleasant to everybody else. She said that she knows how smart I am and she talks really sweet and tells me I'm gonna love the training, but I'm not so sure yet. Anyway, there's a few No-No's that you need to know about if you want to adopt me. #1 No-No. I absolutely canNOT go into a home with children under the age of 18. #2 No-No. I absolutely canNOT go into a home with a cat, but Auntie D thinks I may be okay with another dog since I'm kinda sweet on a little doggie here at her house named Travie, but I'm gonna have to let him know that smelling my bootie is not going to earn him any points! #3 No-No. I can't be alone during the day, so unless someone is home with me all day and night long, it's not gonna happen. #4 No-No. Don't even think about submitting an application if your home falls into either the #1, #2 or #3 Category. Doesn't matter how sweet and kind and gentle your children are - nope! My perfect home would be one in which they will continue the training that I already know, and understand that I'm a little Princess, but that I need to have manners and play nice with other doggies.
NOTE: Cricket needs to be evaluated, both medically and behaviorally, before she is ready for adoption. Please do not apply unless your home meets the requirements that Cricket needs.