Chow Chow puppies and dogs in Mountain View, California

* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org.* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, August 29th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.   Adoption Fee: $650 Some dogs are born to be the center of attention. Some dogs are born to be couch potatoes. And then there is Egg Drop, who apparently arrived in this world with one very important question: “What exactly is my egg-scaping plan?” Egg Drop is a 2.5 year old, 54-pound Chow Chow who came to us from a breeder situation. When he first arrived in his foster home, this big, handsome boy was pretty sure the entire world was a little too much. In fact, Egg Drop refused to come inside for his first two days. He happily slept in a smaller crate on the gated deck, apparently deciding that indoor living was an advanced-level Egg Drop maneuver he was not yet ready to attempt. Eventually, rain entered the negotiation, and his foster family made the executive decision that Egg Drop was, in fact, coming inside. And you know what happened? He discovered people weren't so bad. After a few days, Egg Drop realized he could trust his foster family, and the very shy, frightened Chow started coming out of his shell. Today, he willingly comes inside, happily hangs out with his people, enjoys being petted, and has discovered something very important: He is a FUN DOG. Egg Drop is mostly calm and laid-back, but every now and then the Egg Drop goes BOOM and the zoomies appear. He loves playing with his ball and has a particular fondness for his stuffed dragon. He will even throw his ball into the air and try to catch it himself, which is impressive enough. But Egg Drop has discovered one tiny flaw in his athletic strategy. Sometimes he throws the ball too hard. And when the ball goes down the stairs? Egg Drop does not follow it. He simply stands at the top of the stairs and stares down at his beloved ball with the saddest expression imaginable, silently communicating: “The ball has fallen. I cannot go down there. This is now YOUR problem.” Honestly, Egg Drop may have discovered the perfect system. He also has a very charming relationship with his crate. He willingly spends quite a bit of time in his XL crate and is perfectly comfortable hanging out there. When his foster family has to leave for a short time, Egg Drop stays in his crate and does just fine. He naps throughout the day and is generally a very calm boy. There is, however, one area where Egg Drop is still working on his life skills: potty training. Egg Drop is familiar with pee pads and has done a great job using them, but he still occasionally marks inside. So his future family should be prepared for a little cleanup while he continues learning. His foster family believes he will catch on quickly, and honestly, after everything else he's figured out, we're confident this Egg can learn where he's supposed to go. Egg Drop is also still working on his relationship with the leash. At this point, the leash is apparently an object of great suspicion. Stairs are similarly questionable. Because he is still terrified of stairs and hasn't become comfortable with the leash yet, he hasn't started going on walks. His future family will need to patiently help him learn that the leash is not a trap and that stairs are not, in fact, a portal to certain doom. But once Egg Drop gets comfortable? That's when you get to see the really fun guy underneath all that gorgeous Chow fluff. He isn't a dog who wants to be carried around or constantly snuggled. He likes pets and enjoys having his people nearby, but he's more of a “I'll sit beside you and supervise” kind of guy. He would love someone who simply wants a sweet companion hanging out nearby while they go about their day. He can entertain himself, too. Give him his ball and he'll make his own fun. Just don't leave random things lying around because Egg Drop has been known to decide that whatever happens to be within reach looks like a perfectly reasonable chew toy. His foster family has had to get creative because apparently peanut butter is not Egg Drop-approved, which has made finding appropriate chew toys slightly more challenging. He's also not a big barker. He may bark if the dogs next door start making a commotion, but otherwise he's a fairly quiet guy. He hasn't had enough visitors in the house for his foster family to know exactly what his guest protocol looks like, but he doesn't bark at the doorbell. Egg Drop's ideal family is someone who understands that this handsome boy is still learning about the world. He needs someone patient who won't expect him to become a perfectly confident dog overnight. He needs someone willing to help him feel safe on a leash, work with him on house training, and give him time to continue building confidence. In return, you're going to get a very sweet, funny, entertaining Chow who has already made enormous progress. And honestly, we think Egg Drop is finally ready to crack out of his shell. He came into rescue unsure of everything. Now he's playing with toys, throwing balls, doing zoomies, happily spending time with his people, and showing us the personality that was hiding underneath all that uncertainty. He's sweet. He's funny. He's fluffy. He's a little quirky. He's an occasional ball-throwing athlete with absolutely no stair strategy. And he's 100% Egg Drop. So if you're looking for a handsome Chow who will make you laugh, keep you supplied with fur, occasionally create his own entertainment, and eventually learn that the leash is not his enemy, Egg Drop might just be your perfect breakfast. Just promise us one thing: When he throws the ball down the stairs, you get it. August 29, 2026, 3:13 pm

* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org. * This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, August 29th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.     Adoption Fee: $650 Some dogs come into rescue ready to take over the couch. Chowmein came in ready to inspect the backyard, consider his options, and decide whether humans were actually worth the trouble. We are happy to report that the answer is now a very enthusiastic YES. Chowmein is a handsome 3–4 year old Chow Chow weighing 40.6 pounds, and he is one of those dogs who gets more lovable every time you see him. He came to us from a breeder who loved her Chows deeply and was known for raising dogs with wonderful, sound temperaments. When Chowmein first arrived, he was understandably cautious about this whole new-life business. Today, he is a completely different dog. He's walking, playing, making friends, exploring, and most importantly, having fun. Chowmein has discovered that walks are AWESOME. He loves getting out and about and has become comfortable walking on a leash. This is a pretty big transformation for a dog who initially needed some time to decide that the outside world wasn't quite as intimidating as he thought. He still enjoys spending part of his day doing what Chows do best: observing. He likes hanging out just inside the back door, watching everything that's happening around him. He's not necessarily going to be right in the middle of every activity. Sometimes he's perfectly content to sit there and supervise the household like a very fluffy security guard. If you suddenly walk toward him too quickly, Chowmein may politely retreat a few feet. Not because he's afraid of you; he's just apparently decided that personal space is an important household policy. Give him a moment and he's right back to hanging out nearby. That's Chowmein now. He's comfortable, curious, interested in his people, and increasingly willing to participate in all the fun parts of being a dog. And then there is Obi. We need to talk about Obi, because Obi has played a pretty important role in Chowmein's transformation. Obi is his foster brother (nope he's not for adoption!), a large Doodle with plenty of personality, and these two have become quite the pair. When Chowmein first arrived, he was simply observing Obi from a distance. Now they play chase, and while Obi is technically the chaser, Chowmein is clearly having a fantastic time participating in the game. The two get along beautifully, and Chowmein has shown us just how much he enjoys having another dog around. And it's not just big dogs. Chowmein is very dog social and does well with dogs big and small. We genuinely think another friendly dog could be a huge bonus for him. Having a canine companion seems to help Chowmein relax, have fun, and bring out his playful side. He's gone from quietly observing the other dog in the backyard to playing chase with his giant Doodle brother, and that's a pretty wonderful transformation. Chowmein is also much more comfortable inside the house now. He likes spending time with his foster family and doesn't need to be constantly entertained. He's happy lounging, wandering around, checking out what's going on, or simply hanging out near his people. He has also graduated from the crate. Chowmein now has free rein of the house at night and chooses where he wants to sleep. He's been doing beautifully, and there hasn't been a potty accident since his very first day. Apparently he had a little paperwork to complete when he arrived, got it out of the way on Day One, and has been a perfect gentleman ever since. He's also not particularly destructive. He's mildly interested in toys and enjoys a good Yak cheese chew, but he's not the kind of dog who needs to spend his day dismantling the furniture. He'd much rather go for a walk, play chase with Obi, hang out in the backyard, or sit inside the back door and keep an eye on everyone. Honestly, we think that's pretty darn adorable. Chowmein is still a Chow, so he's not going to be the dog who throws himself at every stranger he meets and announces, 'WE ARE BEST FRIENDS!' within 14 seconds. But he's become so much more approachable. He's comfortable with his foster family, enjoys being around them, likes affection when he chooses to participate, and clearly enjoys having another dog around. He's developed enough confidence that we can genuinely picture him settling into a new home and becoming comfortable fairly quickly. He doesn't need to be handled like a fragile flower. He just needs people who understand that Chows have their own way of doing things. Chowmein's way is basically, 'I'll come hang out with you. I'll go for a walk with you. I'll play with your dog. I'll observe your household. I'll accept your affection. But let's not make a big production about it.' Fair enough. Chowmein is a regular-shedding Chow, so his gorgeous coat will require regular brushing and grooming. But that's just part of the package when you're adopting a handsome walking cloud with a tail. And while we originally thought Chowmein needed a very quiet, patient home where he could slowly figure everything out, we've watched him grow enough that we're changing our expectations. Chowmein is ready. He's ready for walks, playtime, another dog friend, hanging out in the house, sleeping wherever he wants, and most importantly, being someone's dog. He doesn't need months and months of waiting for his personality to appear. It's already here. It's the playful Chowmein who races around with Obi. It's the happy Chowmein who gets excited for his walks. It's the curious Chowmein sitting inside the back door watching his people. It's the increasingly confident boy who has figured out that humans aren't so bad after all. And it's the very lovable Chowmein who is finally ready to stop being the new guy and become someone's beloved family dog. We still think another dog would be wonderful for him because he absolutely blossoms with canine companionship. But more than anything, Chowmein needs a family who will appreciate him for exactly who he is: a sweet, handsome, playful Chow who doesn't need to be the center of attention to be completely content. He's already figured out the most important part of rescue: life is pretty good. Now he just needs someone to share it with—and preferably someone with a dog who is willing to play chase. Because Chowmein has discovered that being chased by a giant Doodle is actually a LOT of fun.       August 29, 2026, 3:13 pm

* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org.* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, August 29th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.   Adoption Fee: $650 Mushu has apparently decided that the best way to approach life is slowly, thoughtfully, and with excellent manners. And honestly, after everything this handsome boy has experienced, we think that is a pretty good plan. Mushu is a 3–4 year old, 54-pound male Chow who is quietly discovering that being someone's dog can be a pretty wonderful thing. He isn't the type to burst through the front door, announce his arrival and immediately demand the entire couch. Mushu prefers a more sophisticated approach: observe first, investigate second, trust third... and then possibly request belly rubs. And he has already proven that the belly-rub portion of the program is coming along beautifully. When Mushu first arrived at his foster home, he was understandably wary. On his first day, he wasn't interested in being petted and preferred to keep some distance from the humans who were trying to get to know him. He needed time to figure out who these people were and whether they could be trusted. Then came Day Two. Mushu rolled onto his back for his foster family's son and asked for belly rubs. EXCUSE ME, SIR. That is quite a plot twist for a dog who had been avoiding human interaction approximately 24 hours earlier. It is one of the things we love most about Mushu. He doesn't need to be rushed. Give him a little time, a little space and a little patience, and he starts making his own decisions about getting closer. Mushu isn't a big cuddler or snuggler, but he absolutely enjoys companionship. In fact, once he feels comfortable, he likes being near his people enough to follow his foster mom from room to room. If she moves, Mushu may quietly appear in the next room like a fluffy little security detail. At the same time, he has an independent streak. He is perfectly happy spending time in the backyard, relaxing, sniffing around and enjoying some peaceful alone time. Basically, Mushu has mastered the ideal relationship: 'I want to be near you... but please don't make me sit on you.' At 54 pounds, Mushu is a substantial, handsome boy, but his personality is much quieter and gentler than his size might suggest. During the day, he likes hanging out near the family but is equally content to wander outside and relax. He is definitely more lounger than athlete right now. His energy level is still unfolding as his confidence grows, but so far he seems to appreciate a calm, peaceful lifestyle. He sleeps beautifully through the night in his playpen, going to bed around 9 p.m. and sleeping until morning. He wakes around 7 a.m., heads outside for his morning potty break and starts another day of being Mushu. He has also been doing wonderfully on his short walks. Mushu walks at a relaxed pace without pulling and likes to stop frequently to sniff and investigate his surroundings. And perhaps one of his nicest qualities: other dogs simply don't seem to bother him. Even when another dog barks at him, Mushu doesn't react. No barking match. No dramatic exchange of opinions. Just Mushu quietly thinking, 'I'm going to continue sniffing this bush now.' He has also been around children ranging from about 5 to 13 years old. His foster family wisely gave the kids instructions to let Mushu approach them when he was ready rather than overwhelming him. And it worked. Once he had some time to observe, Mushu became curious and gradually began approaching the children and allowing them to pet him. That seems to be Mushu's secret: let him come to you. He is not currently showing any chewing or digging behavior and has been remarkably quiet. In fact, his foster family didn't even hear him bark until his fourth day, when the garbage trucks apparently committed the unforgivable crime of existing outside. Mushu had something to say about that. One bark. Then back to business. He has had no accidents in the house so far, and he does well in a crate while riding in the car. He isn't able to use his foster family's doggy door because of his size, so regular outdoor potty breaks are part of his routine. Mushu also isn't eating much yet. Right now, he is typically eating about one meal a day, so his foster family leaves food available for him. As he becomes more comfortable and settles into his new life, we're hopeful his appetite will continue to improve. Mushu came to us as part of a group of Chows from a breeder who loved her dogs deeply and was known for their sound temperaments. Now it is Mushu's turn to experience the other side of that love story: being someone's cherished companion. His full personality is still emerging, and we think that is part of what makes him so special. Every day, he gives his foster family another little glimpse of who he is becoming. First it was accepting pets. Then it was following his foster mom around. Then greeting her with a wagging tail when she returned. Then approaching the kids. And, of course, the legendary belly-rub request. Mushu isn't asking for much. He needs someone who understands that trust isn't something you can demand. It is something you earn. Give him time, let him observe, respect his space and allow him to make the first move, and Mushu will reward you with something incredibly special: his trust. We think there is a wonderful dog underneath that beautiful Chow coat who is just waiting to feel completely safe. And once Mushu decides you're his person? Well... You may have just been promoted to Official Belly-Rub Technician. The position comes with excellent benefits. August 29, 2026, 3:13 pm

* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org.* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, August 29th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.   Adoption Fee: $650 Some puppies enter a room looking for a lap. Hoisin enters a room looking for everything else first. At 13-14 weeks old, this little smooth-coated Chow girl has decided the world is far too interesting to waste time sitting still for cuddles... although she is perfectly happy to squeeze in a couch nap when the mood strikes. Hoisin weighs 19 pounds right now and is expected to be around 40 pounds when fully grown. She has a beautiful soft, smooth coat and is a medium shedder, making her a little lower-maintenance in the fluff department than her extra-plush Chow cousins. Her foster family describes her as super sweet-natured, happy, curious and wonderfully mellow. When she first arrived, Hoisin was understandably a little unsure and spent most of her first day hanging out in her crate. She was happy to see her people and interact with them, but she preferred the safety of her little den. It didn't take long for curiosity to win. Soon she was venturing out, exploring her surroundings and discovering that there was an entire world waiting to be investigated. These days, Hoisin is much more confident and playful. She is also developing the classic Chow opinion that she is, in fact, entitled to have her own ideas about how things should go. In other words: the stubbornness is coming along beautifully. She occasionally decides that a leash is merely a suggestion and will simply stop moving until her human realizes she has made her position clear. She has not yet been on walks, but she has been practicing on leash in the backyard. Hoisin loves her big-dog foster sibling and enjoys playing with him. She has also met the resident cats and is very curious about them, approaching to investigate but not chasing. She absolutely loves the teenage kids in her foster home. She is pretty much always ready to play until suddenly... she isn't. When naptime arrives, Hoisin has been known to simply collapse wherever she happens to be, only to spring back to life the moment she notices a potential playmate. She is a puppy, after all. There are naps to take and important puppy business to conduct. Hoisin is also an enthusiastic little chewer. Fortunately, she has excellent taste in redirection. Give her something appropriate to chew and she is happy to oblige. She has never shown any interest in chewing on people and has been easily redirected away from furniture and other tempting household treasures. She is not a digger and, despite all her puppy activities, she is surprisingly quiet. Her foster family has barely heard a bark beyond the occasional adorable little yip. House training is coming along nicely. She rarely has a poop accident and has only had those after deworming. She does still occasionally have a pee accident, so her new family should expect to continue the usual puppy routine of frequent potty breaks and plenty of patience. At night, Hoisin sleeps beautifully in her crate. She cried and whined a little the first night, because apparently being separated from her new people was a very serious injustice, but she quickly figured out the routine. Now she settles down and does very well being left alone overnight. Her favorite thing may actually be being petted. She is unbelievably soft, and once you start petting her, you will understand why her foster family has fallen completely in love with her. She is also a champion tail wagger and is always thrilled to see her people. Her foster says she always puts a smile on her face. And then there was the night Hoisin discovered the greatest culinary opportunity of her young life: she happily finished her entire dinner and then, when nobody was looking, quietly helped herself to the resident Lab's entire dinner too. She ended the evening with a very full belly and an extremely satisfied smile. Honestly, we respect the confidence. Hoisin came to us as part of a group of Chows from a breeder who loved these dogs deeply and cared very much about their temperaments. She is now ready for the next chapter of her life: a family who will continue giving her the patience, structure, affection and guidance she needs as she grows into the wonderful Chow she is meant to be. Hoisin would thrive in a loving, active household where she can be included in family life and have plenty of opportunities to explore, play and learn. She is not likely to be your future marathon training partner or a great candidate for all-day mountain hikes, but she would be an excellent companion for a family who wants a sweet, playful puppy who will happily participate in everyday adventures. She is soft. She is sweet. She is curious. She is occasionally ridiculous. And she has already perfected the Chow skill of having an opinion about absolutely everything. Hoisin is ready to find the people who will love her right back. August 29, 2026, 3:13 pm

* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org.* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, August 29th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.   Adoption Fee: $650 Lug Nut may have a tough-sounding name, but spend five minutes with him and you’ll understand why his foster family nicknamed him Gentle Bear. This 46 pound, 6 year old Chow Chow is one of those dogs who quietly wins you over until you can’t imagine the house without him. Rescued from a shelter, Lug Nut has proven from the very beginning that he is an absolutely wonderful Chow. He is sweet, loving, incredibly mellow, and just an all-around good dog. He isn’t looking for constant entertainment or attention. He is perfectly happy to hang out near his people, wander outside, find a comfortable spot on the floor or a rug, and take a nice long nap. He has free run of the house and is completely trustworthy. He is 100% housetrained, doesn’t get into things, doesn’t chew, doesn’t dig, and is an exceptionally quiet dog. Lug Nut does have one special consideration: he is deaf. That means getting his attention can sometimes take a little creativity, but he has adapted beautifully. He is smart and observant, and he quickly learned to sit before meals. His foster family has also discovered that he is very tuned in to what is happening around him, especially when something interesting is going on in the kitchen. And by “interesting,” we mean whatever his people are cooking. His own dinner? Questionable. Human food smells coming from the kitchen? Now THAT deserves his attention. Like many dogs, he may be stressed the first few days in a new environment. Usually he shows his stress by panting. Pretty typical dog trait. After a few days, though, he settlesinto his routine and shows his true personality. Now he is a relaxed, easygoing guy who enjoys being part of the family without needing to be the center of attention. He may sleep in the same room as his people or wander off to find a quiet spot of his own. He doesn't need to be glued to you every minute to feel connected. And then there are the walks. Lug Nut LOVES walks. In fact, he loves them enough that he has occasionally picked up his own leash and brought it to his foster family. Apparently, there was a serious scheduling problem and he felt management needed to be notified immediately. He gets very excited when he sees his leash and happily heads out for two or three 10–15 minute walks each day. He walks well overall, with a little pulling when he gets excited, and he doesn't bark at people or other dogs. If he spots a dog across the street, he may let out a little whine because, clearly, he thinks it's a new friend. Lug Nut enjoys other dogs and does well with them. At the dog park, he tends to be more interested in smaller dogs and can be a little intimidated by the bigger ones. He is not particularly playful and doesn't seem interested in toys, chasing games, or chewing things. Every now and then he will enjoy a bone, but his idea of a great afternoon is much more likely to involve a walk followed by a nap than a game of fetch. He is also wonderfully well behaved when left home alone. He has free run of the house and appears completely comfortable while his family is away. When they return, he is generally found sleeping. He may jump onto the couch by the window to watch someone leave through the front door, but then he quickly goes back to whatever extremely important lounging activity he had planned. Lug Nut is not a fan of confinement. He is not crate trained and does not like crates or an x-pen, so his ideal home will be one where he can safely have freedom in the house. He doesn't need a crate because he is already trustworthy and fully housetrained. There are a couple of quirky Gentle Bear details his future family should know. Like many Chows, he drinks a lot of water, so if his bowl is empty, he may decide the toilet is an acceptable backup water source. And he hasn't quite mastered the art of delicately taking a treat from someone's hand. If you know how to feed, a horse, that may work best for Lug Nut. (Flat palm)Twice, he has inadvertently gotten a little too enthusiastic and caught his foster's hand along with the snack. He isn't being aggressive at all. He simply apparently believes the entire hand might also be edible. Because Lug Nut gets stressed by travel and new environments, he would be happiest with a family that doesn't travel frequently. When his foster family took him away for a weekend, he was so uncomfortable that he held his stool for four days until he returned home and could use his familiar backyard spot. He has done the same when staying with a temporary foster while his family was away. He will pee on walks, but he absolutely insists that his other business be conducted in the privacy of his own backyard. So a home with a small, secure yard would be ideal for this particular gentleman. Once he bonds with you, Lug Nut is simply your dog. He knows you. He loves you. You are his forever. His foster family has had him for a month and says they have genuinely loved having him in their home. His foster family has also noticed that he can become surprisingly affectionate with guests once he is comfortable. Not a lot of stranger danger with this lad. Lug Nut is the kind of dog who doesn't demand much but gives you so much in return. He is gentle, quiet, affectionate, house-trained, trustworthy, wonderfully mellow, and absolutely delighted when someone suggests a walk. He's a little bit quirky, a whole lot sweet, and very deserving of a family who will appreciate the special, gentle bear that he is. Lug Nut is ready to trade his shelter story for a forever story—and preferably one that includes a backyard, plenty of walks, and absolutely no travel itinerary. August 29, 2026, 3:13 pm

* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org.* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, August 29th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.   Adoption Fee: $650 Some dogs walk into a new home as if they have been waiting their whole lives to get there. Potsticker needed a little more time to believe she was safe. This sweet 4 year old, 30-pound Chow girl came to us from a breeder who loved her Chows deeply and took great pride in raising dogs known for their sound, wonderful temperaments. Potsticker has spent her life surrounded by people who cared about her, and now she is learning what it means to be a beloved house dog and to have a family all her own. And Potsticker is approaching this next chapter at her own pace. She's a go-with-the-flow kind of gal. She wakes up when you wake up, sleeps peacefully in her own little spot in the living room, and when she sees that her person is up, she'll get up and come say hello. Her mornings start with a quick potty break, breakfast around 7:00 and then one of her favorite things: a walk. Potsticker really enjoys going for walks and exploring the world around her. She's still learning the finer points of this whole leash business, and she can pull quite strongly, particularly when something catches her attention or she becomes startled. Her adopter will need to be confident and attentive with her leash handling. She's not looking for a marathon, though. A nice 25–30 minute walk where she can sniff, explore and take everything in is right up her alley. When Potsticker first arrived in her foster home, she was understandably overwhelmed by all the newness. For the first couple of days, she found one spot where she felt safe and pretty much decided, “Yep. This is my spot. Everyone can carry on without me.” But then, little by little, things started to change. She began venturing a little farther. She became curious about the house. She started watching her foster mom a little more closely. Every day, she has become just a bit more comfortable, and those small steps are incredibly rewarding to watch. Potsticker is still a shy girl. If you approach her too quickly, she may decide that retreating is an excellent idea. New people, sudden movements and unfamiliar sounds can still make her nervous. But she has never shown aggression or reactivity. She is simply a gentle dog who is still figuring out what all these people, sounds and new experiences are about. What Potsticker needs most is time. She needs someone who understands that trust isn't something you demand from a dog. It's something you earn. She needs a person who can give her the space to approach when she's ready and the patience to let her discover, at her own pace, that she is safe. We can picture her beautifully in a quieter household with someone who doesn't need their dog to be the life of the party. Potsticker isn't looking for a home where there is constant activity and excitement. She's looking for someone who appreciates the quieter joys of having a Chow: a peaceful dog nearby, a leisurely walk, a favorite spot in the house and the enormous satisfaction of watching a once-nervous dog slowly decide that you are her person. She lives with another dog and mostly responds with a very Chow-like “Whatever.” She doesn't seem particularly interested in what her foster dog is doing, and when she sees other dogs on walks, she'll stop and look but doesn't feel the need to introduce herself. She's perfectly content doing her own thing. Potsticker is also completely housetrained and has had no accidents in her foster home. In true Chow fashion, she apparently believes maintaining a clean household is simply good manners. And then there is her favorite luxury: BRUSHING. Oh, does this girl love to be brushed. She closes her eyes and settles in like she's at a five-star spa. It may just be that Potsticker has been waiting her whole life for someone to understand that regular grooming is actually a wellness treatment. Her foster family is already seeing something special happening with her. Every day, she is learning a little more about trusting people. And while she isn't going to be the dog who runs up to every stranger and immediately asks for attention, that's not what makes Potsticker special. Her trust will be something you earn. And when she finally decides that you are her person, that will mean something. We believe there is a wonderfully loyal companion underneath that cautious exterior. She just needs someone willing to be patient enough to let her show you. Potsticker doesn't need someone to fix her. She needs someone who will give her the time to bloom. And if you can do that, we have a feeling this quiet little Chow girl is going to give you something pretty wonderful in return.  August 29, 2026, 3:13 pm