Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
* 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, July 18th 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: $800 Caviar: A Little Princess with a Big Heart 3 years old | 10 lbs | Non-shedding coat | Maltipoo Meet Caviar, affectionately nicknamed Princess Vivi, a tiny 10-pound sweetheart with the softest coat, the gentlest heart, and a whole lot of love to give. Caviar came to our rescue after her owner could no longer care for her, and she is now learning just how wonderful life can be with a little patience, consistency, and a family who will show her the world isn’t such a scary place after all. A Sweet and Affectionate Companion Caviar may start out a little shy, but her loving personality shines through once she feels safe. When she first arrived in her foster home, she was a bit unsure and would back away when someone reached out to pet her. But with a few treats, some gentle encouragement, and a little time, she quickly realized she was surrounded by people who loved her. Before long, she was walking up to family members for treats, waiting patiently under the kids’ table for a dropped sausage (her absolute favorite!), and acting like she had been part of the family forever. Now, Caviar is a true cuddle bug. She loves being close to her people and will happily curl up beside you, snuggle next to you on the couch, or simply follow you from room to room to be part of whatever you’re doing. She is definitely a little velcro dog, but she also knows how to spread the love — when her foster mom is busy, she happily goes to her foster dad for some extra neck scratches and butt rubs. At night, Caviar sleeps peacefully in bed with her foster family, curled up at the foot of the bed like the little princess she is. Her Perfect Day Caviar starts her day around 7–8 AM, waking up with her foster mom. Even if the rest of the family is already up and moving around, she patiently waits in the bedroom until her foster mom gets up. Once she’s ready for the day, she heads outside for a potty break and then comes back inside. Breakfast is offered in the morning, although Caviar sometimes decides she would rather wait until after her walk. She enjoys getting out and exploring after the family has started their day. Dinner is served around 6 PM with the rest of the family, and unlike breakfast, she consistently finishes her meal. During the day, Caviar loves simply being near her people. Whether her foster mom is doing chores around the house or working at her desk, Caviar happily follows along and settles nearby. She is the perfect little companion for someone looking for a dog who wants to be included in daily life. Playful, Then Ready to Relax Caviar has a wonderful balance of playful energy and couch-potato charm. She loves toys and will happily visit her toy box to pick out something fun. She enjoys bringing toys to her people for a quick game of tug and playtime, usually for about 5–10 minutes, before deciding it’s time to return to the couch for a cozy nap. She also gets the occasional burst of happy zoomies around the house, showing off her silly, playful side. After a little fun, she is perfectly content relaxing by your side. Walks and Adventures Caviar enjoys her walks and is always excited to get out and explore. She walks nicely on leash, although she may pull a little when she gets excited about the adventure ahead. Her foster mom has been working with her, and Caviar is a quick learner — when her foster mom stops walking, Caviar stops too and checks back in. Like many curious dogs, she loves chasing squirrels and may bark at some dogs she sees. However, she can be easily redirected and is learning appropriate ways to greet new things. Great with Kids and Learning About the World Caviar has done beautifully with children, including a very enthusiastic 10-year-old cousin who absolutely loves dogs. She is gentle, patient, and happy to receive affection from people she trusts. She does need a little more confidence-building when experiencing new places and situations. Caviar is still learning that the world is safe, and unfamiliar environments can sometimes feel overwhelming for her. New flooring surfaces, busy buildings, car rides, and unfamiliar surroundings may cause her to freeze or become nervous. With patience and reassurance, she is able to move forward and gain confidence. Her foster family has been taking her on short car rides every day, and she has already improved. She may still shake when she’s unsure, but she is proving that she is brave and capable of learning. House Manners Caviar is wonderfully housetrained and has not had a single accident in her foster home. She quickly learned to go outside for both potty breaks and understands the routine of the household. She is not a fan of the crate. She tolerated it initially but made it clear that it was not her preferred sleeping arrangement. She now sleeps happily in bed with her foster family and settles beautifully. A Little Watchdog in a Tiny Body Caviar is not a constant barker, but she does like to let her family know when something unusual is happening. She may bark at knocks on the door, sounds outside, or unfamiliar noises. Sometimes she will give a little nighttime growl if she hears something outside, but she responds well to redirection. The funny thing is, once she realizes the person is a friend, she immediately switches from “security guard” mode to “please give me affection” mode and happily greets visitors at the door. Caviar’s Ideal Home Caviar would thrive with a family who understands that confidence takes time and is willing to help her continue discovering the world at her own pace. She would love a home that can provide a predictable routine, regular walks, playtime, and lots of affection. She does not need someone to entertain her every minute — she is perfectly content relaxing on the couch — but she would love a family who enjoys having a sweet little shadow following along throughout the day. A patient adopter who can continue building her confidence will be rewarded with one of the most loving, loyal little companions around. Why Caviar Is So Special Her foster family says she has one of the softest coats they have ever felt, and her beautiful non-shedding coat is just an added bonus to an already wonderful little dog. Her favorite trick? When Caviar feels nervous — whether she’s in the car or somewhere new — she wants reassurance from her person. If her foster mom picks her up, Caviar wraps herself around her like a tiny baby monkey: back legs around her torso and front paws around her neck. She refuses to be held any other way! A friend once joked that it looked like her foster mom was carrying her third child. Caviar knows her name and comes running whenever she hears “Princess Vivi.” She is ready to find the family who will continue showing her how wonderful life can be — and who will treasure every cuddle from this tiny princess. July 17, 2026, 10:33 pm