Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
A LOVING CONSTANT COMPANION: Approx. 10 years / Approx. 18 lbs. Hi, my name’s Rusty! I lost my life-long home when my previous owner experienced medical issues and needed to go to assisted living. I was sad about that, but fortunately, Mostly Mutts has been able to take me in and I’m in a great foster home while I wait to find my new family that is looking for a constant sweet companion. • OTHER DOGS/CATS/KIDS: I like the dogs I have met in my previous home, and I like the older chihuahua in my foster home – sharing our people and walking nicely with her on our daily walks (even slowing down to wait on her as she’s a bit slower than me!), so if you have a nice doggie at home, let’s meet! / I lived with five cats in my previous home, so if you have a dog-friendly kitty, let’s meet! / I liked children I met in my previous home, but I don’t remember their ages. Since I have been known to nip if startled or accidentally hurt, it’s best the children in my new home be older kids (age 15+), and - of course, let’s meet! • PERSONALITY/ENERGY LEVEL: I’m a sweet boy who - though initially nervous in new environments, I’ve been going to lots of places with my foster family and I’m doing well – in fact they take me everywhere with them. I often find a lap to jump in where I’m super happy as I’m a true lap dog! I’ll even settle in and lean back, as if asking you to hold me like a baby – so loving! I’m used to having my person with me all the time, so a stay-at-home family member is a must for me. A true ‘velco dog’, I just want to be involved in whatever you are doing! You want to watch TV? Great, I’ll sit with you on the couch. You need to work at a desk? I’ll be in the dog bed on the floor in your office. You cooking? I’ll help! You get the idea? I’m a great constant companion. I have been a bit protective of my home, barking at strangers and sometimes nipping at the back of their leg when they turn away. My foster is working on this with me now and I don’t do it in public, just in my home. I get very anxious when left alone, and will bark and howl in protest, though I’m not destructive, but I should not live in an apartment or town home type home. / My energy level is 4 - 6. • SKILLS/CRATE/POTTY: My foster and previous owner agree that I am a smart boy, so my foster enrolled me in Mostly Mutts’ Adult Basic Training classes where I recently received my certificate of completion for Mostly Mutts basic obedience. This means, I have mastered the ‘sit’, ‘come’, ‘leave it’, ‘down’, and ‘stay’ commands and how to ‘wait’ before entering and exiting doors. I also have good leash-walking manners, only pulling momentarily in new areas if something makes me nervous. / I like to sleep in my crate, it is like a safe space for me. I sleep through the night in there with the door open near my foster’s bed with no issues. In my former home, I slept with my owner, so – if allowed – I’d like to snuggle in with you at night, too. / My potty manners are great in my foster home, so hopefully that will be the case in my new home too! • LIKES/DISLIKES: A real people dog, I enjoy going for walks with my family, as well as hanging out with them in a fenced yard. I also love napping on or next to them and being with people all the time. I enjoy playing with squeaky toys and balls with my person. Collecting all the cuddles is my favorite pastime! / I also am not a fan of that confusing, pesky iRobot vacuum cleaner, so I bark at it – though I’m getting more used to it with time. Otherwise, I’m sure I wouldn’t like it if I didn’t get enough love and attention. • MEDICAL: I'm current on vaccinations, micro-chipped and neutered. I have a couple old man lumps and bumps that don’t bother me, and I hope you won’t mind either. I had a slightly elevated liver level, so I’m on a supplement to help keep it stable. Mostly Mutts tested my liver levels in June, and they are stable with the supplement, so I should just stay on this supplement for life. I am also taking an inexpensive anxiety medication (fluoxetine), which has greatly improved some intermittent eye tremors and some separation anxiety I was experiencing. I used to bark and howl in protest whenever my person left, but I no longer do this. I will likely need to take this medication forever as it helps me so much. I’m looking for a home where I will be a much-loved family member where I can be with my family a lot. My adoption fee is $100.00, and I’m located in Kennesaw, Ga. October 3, 2024, 12:41 pm