Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Meet Madison This adorable little Chihuahua mix came from a hoarding situation, but was fortunate to be rescued while still a pretty young pup. At one point, Madison's owner had 51 dogs living in a small trailer. Thankfully, concerned family members stepped in to help address a situation that had gotten out of control, and the number of dogs has since been significantly reduced. Worthy Dog became involved through one of our veterinary partners. We sponsor the spay/neuter clinic that has been altering the dogs at no cost to stop the cycle and prevent the population from growing. So far, we've also welcomed four dogs from the property into our rescue, and other other SC based rescues have stepped up to help. Despite her difficult start, Madison is an incredibly sweet, happy, and resilient little dog. Her foster mom, Renee, describes her as a loving snuggle bug. When Madison first arrived, she spent a couple of days tucked safely in her crate while she took in her new surroundings. Once she realized she was safe, her personality quickly began to emerge. She now follows Renee everywhere, loves to snuggle, and enjoys spending time with her foster siblings. After arriving in foster care in late May, she has continued to gain confidence and has even started playing with Ryder, one of the resident dogs. Madison has a moderate energy level and enjoys a good balance of playtime and relaxation. She gets especially excited when her people come home, greeting them with happy zoomies, jumps, and tail wags before settling in for a nap. Like many dogs who have had limited life experiences, Madison is still learning about the world. New people, sudden noises, and unfamiliar situations can be scary for her. She is cautious around strangers and the grandkids when they visit, and may retreat when visitors arrive, but with patience and encouragement, she continues to build confidence and recovers more quickly from these experiences. Because of this, she would do best with adopters who understand that confidence-building is a process. She's also making steady progress with her leash skills. While walks can still be intimidating at times, she is becoming more comfortable and continues to improve daily. Madison is doing well with housetraining and succeeds when kept on a regular schedule. Her foster mom takes her outside frequently, waits for her to do her business, and rewards her with praise, which Madison responds to very well. Madison is smart, responds well to guidance, and is adapting remarkably quickly to the structure and routine she's never had before. She is crate trained and settles nicely after a brief protest. She loves being close to her people and has blossomed into a sweet, affectionate companion. This little pup has come so far in such a short time. With a little patience, consistency, and love, Madison will reward her forever family with loyal companionship, endless affection, and plenty of cuddles. â¤ï¸ Apply today! BREED ESTIMATE: Chihuahua Mix GENDER: Female APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 13 lbs APPROXIMATE AGE: ~ 2 years old COAT TYPE: Medium flowy coat ADOPTION FEE: $425 OTHER INFO: UTD on shots/spayed/microchipped LOCATION: Fairfax, VA FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application. You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application. Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area. June 22, 2026, 8:25 am
