My name is Shakespeare!

All of our dogs are spayed/neutered, shots current (DHPP, Bordetella and Rabies where applicable), dewormed, flea and tick treated, and microchipped. 

* If you are interested in a dog, please first read the biography on the dog (keep scrolling down for the bio!) and then go to our website, www.dpsrescue.com for an application. Our adoption fees vary. Each biography will specifically list the adoption fee.

Adoption fee: $700

Shakespeare is a 5 year old Morkie weighing about 11 pounds, with a non-shedding coat, an expressive little face, and a very funny grin that seems to appear just when you need it most. He is a gentle, thoughtful dog with a big heart who is learning that the world — and the people in it — can be safe and kind.

Shakespeare starts his day around 6:30 a.m. when he comes out of his crate and heads straight out for a quick potty break. After that, he enjoys a short burst of playtime that usually includes belly rubs and a game of catch for about ten minutes. Breakfast follows around 7:00–7:30 a.m., and then he settles into one of his favorite activities: lounging in his bed. His morning walk is usually between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. and lasts about 15–30 minutes. Shakespeare prefers exploring and sniffing over long-distance walking, and he’s still learning leash manners, so he does tend to pull a bit (though he doesn't weigh much so it's not an issue). When the weather is nice, he especially enjoys spending time in the backyard. Throughout the day, he’s happy to lounge and relax, with a few short strolls or play sessions mixed in if his people are home. Dinner is around 5:30–6:00 p.m., followed by another short walk at about 7:30 p.m., and bedtime in his crate is between 10:00 and 10:30 p.m.

When Shakespeare first arrived at his foster home, he was understandably unsettled. He cried during transport and was overwhelmed at first, but once he arrived, his friendly nature quickly came through. He eagerly sought out attention, wanted pets, and explored his new surroundings. Early on, he made it clear that he had some sensitivities. He was uncomfortable being picked up and did not like certain areas of his body being touched, especially around his belly and sides, and he communicated this clearly with growling. He also showed resource guarding behaviors around food, toys, and when resting in his bed.

His foster family immediately began working patiently and thoughtfully with him, focusing on trust-building and positive reinforcement. Shakespeare is very food-motivated, which helped him make quick progress. With consistent training, his resource guarding around food and resting has improved dramatically in just a short time. He has learned that people approaching mean good things, not something to fear. He now allows belly rubs, side rubs, and being picked up — big milestones for him — and his comfort level continues to grow. Toy guarding is improving more slowly, but he is learning that calm behavior keeps the game going. His adopters will need to be patient and willing to put in the work to earn his trust.

Today, Shakespeare is a laid-back, easygoing little guy who enjoys both independence and affection. He is content relaxing in his bed on his own but is always happy to cuddle when invited. He is not a velcro dog and does not need to follow his people from room to room, but he enjoys spending time with everyone in the household. He has lived with children ages 9 and 13 and has done very well with them, especially when they respect his boundaries. He does not favor one person over another and happily rotates his affection among family members.

Shakespeare is more of a couch potato than a high-energy dog, though he does enjoy short walks and games of catch. He does not chew, dig, or bark excessively. In fact, he rarely barks at all, except for the occasional squirrel sighting. He loves visitors and greets them happily, welcoming pets and attention without hesitation.

He is mostly housetrained, with only a couple of marking incidents early on. He does not consistently signal when he needs to go out, so a routine schedule works best for him. He is crate-trained and sleeps quietly through the night. Rain is not his favorite, and he prefers potty breaks where he can stay dry.

Shakespeare would thrive in a home that understands that trust is something built over time and is willing to continue gentle, positive training around boundaries and resource guarding. He would do best with children who are old enough to understand dog communication and respect a growl as a warning. He loves being part of a household with multiple people and truly enjoys human company.

What makes Shakespeare special is his willingness to try, even after what appears to have been a difficult past. Despite needing time to fully let his guard down, he is eager to trust and clearly wants to connect. Beneath his cautious moments is a sweet, affectionate, loyal little dog who just wants to feel safe and loved. Shakespeare is proof that patience and kindness can bring out the very best in a dog — and in return, he offers a truly special kind of companionship.