Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Snuggly (he's a lapdog!), social (he loves to make new friends!), a great companion (walks and car rides are his two favorite things, after laps and people!) - Scooter is the perfect BFF for anyone in search of an easy-going buddy to share their life.
HISTORY
This little guy has known his share of life's ups and downs. When he was adopted from a California shelter he was in poor shape and pretty scared. He did okay for a while, but then his adopter abandoned him too, leaving him behind when they moved out of their rental home. Fortunately the property owner loves dogs and she took Scooter in, and since then, with lots of love and plenty of good quality groceries, he's thrived and gained confidence.
Now his caregiver's circumstances have changed, and he is looking for the best FOREVER home where he can live out the rest of his life in safety and happiness.
SOCIALIZATION
Scooter is devoted to his special people, and is also quick to befriend new humans. We would expect him to great with kids 10 or older, but young children who are clumsy or loud would scare him and send him into hiding.
He shares his current home with a large assorted pack of dogs - young, old, large and small. While he doesn't really know how to play and doesn't interact much with them, he is polite and tolerant of all the dogs in his home.
Scooter ignores the chickens and ducks in his current home. He hasn't been exposed to cats to our knowledge, but we'd expect him to be relaxed and comfortable with a confident, dog-savvy cat. We will cat-test him prior to placing him in a cat-owned adoptive home.
GENERAL TEMPERAMENT & BEHAVIOR
It doesn't take much to make Scooter happy - just a calm, relaxed home with kind people who will take him for walks and car rides, and cuddle him.
This little guy just loves going places! Scooter gets very excited when he sees his leash, and he's great company on a walk or casual hike. He's a great traveler, riding calmly on the backseat of the car and watching the world go by. As long as he's with someone he trusts he's comfortable going to new places and eager to follow his nose and explore.
He's never really figured out the concept of play. he enjoys a good chew, and will bust out the occasional zoomie, but he has no interest in balls or toys.
Scooter got his name because when he's scared he scoots off and hides, but he adapts quickly to new situations and becomes relaxed and confident once he settles in. However, a few things do scare him. He doesn't like loud noises, like fireworks and shouting. He runs and hides at the prospect of a bath - although once he's actually in the tub he freezes and endures the water torture. And he will nip if you pick him up - you'll have to wrap him in a towel or blanket any time that's necessary. So in addition to being calm and kind, his people need to be patient - because this good little guy really wants to please, but somewhere, sometime, someone has hurt him and those memories run deep.
TRAINING
Scooter's house manners a excellent. He is reliably house trained and will ask to go out. He doesn't need to be crated because he's not destructive, but he is crate trained and likes to go into the crate while he's getting used to a new place. Generally he's pretty quiet, but he will bark if he sees or hears something that merits attention.
He's never had much in the way of obedience training. His recall tends to be slow - he knows he's supposed to come and will do so eventually, but you may have to go get him if you're in a hurry to leave. He walks well on a leash. Beyond that, he's treat motivated and loves praise, and he quickly picks up on the rules and routines of a new home. He could probably learn new things to adapt to your lifestyle, but likely wouldn't see the point of tricks.
HEALTH STATUS
Scooter appears to be in excellent health. He has been neutered, treated for internal and external parasites, and microchipped, and he's up-to-date on shots. He weighs about 17 lbs, and to be honest it wouldn't hurt him to shed a few pounds - which he will do pretty quickly if taken for walks!
We're not sure of his age. The California shelter staff estimated in 2019 that he was around 10 years old ... but we're guessing he's part Benjamin Button, because lots of love and good groceries have peeled away the years. Based on his appearance and demeanor now we're guessing he was born around 2014, and we're giving him March 14 as a birthday.
ADOPTION INFORMATION
Scooter is living in a private home, and will be available to meet you after your adoption application has been approved. Please email HearthfireART@gmail.com to request an adoption application form.
For more pictures of Scooter, please see his Facebook album at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=HearthfireAnimalRescueTeam&set=a.737476041866821
