Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Not good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Meet Ernestine, aka Tina! This elegant queen has fully settled into her routine and is living her best life.
Tina was found as a stray down south, lost, frightened, and unsure of what kindness looks like. Now she’s safe at the Haven after taking her very first flight to get to us. She’s spending her time in foster care resting, healing, and learning the fine art of chihuahua diplomacy in a house full of tiny, friendly supervisors who have made her feel right at home.
Tina adores exploring the yard at her own pace, following foster mom around for treats, and supervising household activities like a tiny, silent CEO. She still isn’t a fan of being handled, and leash training… well… let’s call it a journey. She does great once the leash is on, but getting it on and off? Absolutely not. A fenced yard would be ideal for her comfort and peace.
Tina is a wonderfully independent girl who would love a calm home where she can just chill out, vibe, and socialize when food is involved. She’s not a cuddle bug, and she’ll tell you that herself, but she’s a lovely companion for anyone who appreciates quiet company, a gentle presence, and a little lady who lives life on her own terms.
Tina is looking for a home with patient humans who will let her acclimate on her own timeline. While it takes her some time to trust you and she's not much for snuggling yet, she LOVES chicken jerky treats and they are a surefire way to win her heart. She bravely eats them directly from her foster mom's hand, and will even let her foster mom pick her up as long as she does it confidently.
Tina enjoys company, but not being handled. She has recently permitted foster mom the honor of delivering chin rubs, which is basically her version of signing a peace treaty. She will sit nearby while you exist ~ as a listener, a witness, a small supervisor with opinions about the crinkle of packaging and the exact time dinner should have been served. She is deeply bossy about food and deeply uninterested in being carried, hugged, or otherwise arranged. You talk, she listens, and occasionally she comes over to confirm you still possess snacks.
Tina enjoys toddling behind her foster mom from room to room, selecting cozy beds the way some of us collect throw pillows. And she is a great dining companion: as soon as her foster mom sits down to eat dinner, Tina is right in front of her asking for a seat at the table. She's building her leash walking skills and making great progress, but she'd love a home with a fenced-in yard where she can bounce arond like a silly, happy explorer.
Tina gets along well with other small dogs; we haven't had a chance to observe her with bigger ones yet. She's learning lots of new skills in her foster home and is making great progress on both stairs and housetraining. For now, she will benefit from having some potty pads around. She does well in the car and is happy to stay home while her humans are at work.
Tina would love a quiet home where she can exist alongside you, request snacks, and occasionally socialize on her terms. She is a companion in the truest sense: present, steady, and never overwhelming.
Tina is looking for a quiet, gentle, and patient forever family where she is loved just as she is. Could it be yours?
Ernestine is approximately 9 years old and 10 lbs.
Fostered in Richmond, VA
Please apply at MirisHaven.org
