Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Not good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Meet Ruben Humphrey!A year ago, a scrawny street dog came into foster care so matted you could barely tell he was white. He had twigs and garbage tangled in his fur, teeth that hurt, and one rule for survival: trust no one.He's spent a full year breaking that rule.Ruben Humphrey is a 7-year-old Terrier/Poodle mix with a soft white coat, a curly tail, and a zig-zag trot that says he's exactly where he wants to be. When his human reaches for ChapStick or opens the closet, he knows a walk is coming. He'll spin and make happy noises until you hurry up.He keeps a stuffie (or two) buried in the backyard for emergencies. He'll warm your spot in bed and hold it until you get under the covers. You'll never go to the bathroom alone again, and he will always protect you from strangers (and deliveries) at the door.Find the right scritch spot and his back legs start tippy-tapping. Keep going and he'll pretzel himself into shapes that shouldn't be possible. When he wants your attention, he doesn't demand it. He quietly wedges himself between your arm and your side and waits for that arm to do its job.**Things Ruben knows to be true:**- All forms of meat are the answer to any question. New treats are suspicious, until another dog wants them.- Cardboard boxes exist to be shredded, and he'd happily replace the shredder in your office. Hide a treat in a container and he'll entertain himself getting to it.- Heads belong out the car window, unless you're going over 30 mph. Then, honestly, why bother?- A good stuffie should be savored. He nibs his slowly, for months.- The more walks, the better. This is not up for debate.- A dog friend to play with is pretty darn awesome.None of this came easy. Ruben spent a long time believing the world was a zero-sum game. With medical and dental care, daily patience, and several stays at board-and-train, he found a new way to be. One breakthrough came when his trainer taught him to use his nose. Oh joy! Sniff work gave his busy brain a job, and suddenly he loved learning. Today he sleeps peacefully beside his canine roommate and naps in an open crate by choice. He accepts scritches from nearly anyone, and he lets his foster mom take food right out of his mouth. For a dog who once guarded everything he owned, that's huge.**What Ruben's person needs to know:**Ruben still has triggers: loud noises, big trucks, the doorbell, and fast, sweeping arm movements. In the past, when he was overwhelmed, he bit both people and dogs. Now he may nip people or dogs who don't respect his boundaries, but he never breaks skin or leaves marks. He would love an experienced, dog-savvy adopter who reads body language, steps in early, and is committed to continuing his training and building his confidence in a big world. Redirecting him with a scritch or treat works. So does scooping him up until a passing dog or new visitor is no longer a worry.He bonds deeply, which also means separation anxiety. He's happiest when someone is home most of the day, with crate time, cuddles, and plenty of walks and brain games to keep him settled. An even-energy home with adults or older kids suits him best, and a doggie door would be a dream so he can explore as he wants. He lives happily with his foster brother after patient, structured introductions and would do well with a calm, confident canine companion. He hasn't been formally tested with cats but finds some too interesting to ignore.Ruben has spent a whole year learning how to be someone's dog. Now he just needs to be yours.CAWS does not place animals on a first-come, first-served basis. We focus on finding the best fit for each dog and family. Ruben's adoption fee is $200. Applications may take up to 72 hours to process. All CAWS dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. If you are interested in adopting a CAWS pet, please fill out an online application at https://caws.org/adoption-applicationNovember 7, 2026, 6:20 am
