Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Professional Introvert, Part-Time Chaos Gremlin, Full-Time Good Boy
He’s about 3-ish years old, part pug, part mystery, and currently accepting applications for a very specific kind of human: patient, persistent, and not personally offended by only being the suspicious food & treat dispenser…for a while.
He won’t smother you with affection the second you walk in the door. He isn’t an overly needy cuddle bugs. He is the anti-velcro, but also somehow velcro. He will be wildly excited when you get home: full body wiggles, nub tail working overtime, pure joy radiating from his entire being…just don’t get any ideas about petting him. Admire the enthusiasm but do not touch the art. He is velcro enough to give you a flat tire because he follows so closely behind you. Personal space is confusing, apparently.
Oliver has been in rescue for over 6 months, and somewhere along the way, no one told him that hands = pets and love. So right now, hands are more like…suspicious sky snakes. We’re working on it.
Getting Oliver to go where you want him to go is less “come here, buddy” and more like herding cats. And when all else fails? A yoga mat makes an excellent mobile corral. With Oliver you have to be willing to adapt, improvise and overcome the Oliver-isms.
Stairs in your home? No problem. You will place tiny offerings (think pupperoni on each step), walk away like you didn’t just build a charcuterie staircase, and he will follow his nose like the brave little gremlin he is. He may also be suspicious of what lays beyond the stairs if he’s never been down or up there. That’s where his kennel comes in handy and he’s transported to the new level.
Here’s what Oliver does bring to the table:
Fully potty trained (with the understanding that his kennel is his safe place and helps keep any “maybe I’ll mark this” ideas in check)
A+ eater. Zero notes. Would attend a competitive eating contest if he could.
Kennel trained: he’ll often run in voluntarily, especially if snacks are involved (which they should be) but if not have your yoga mat handy
Sleeps in bed like he pays rent
LOVES other dogs and bonded well with his foster siblings (big, small - he’s not picky).
He generally does well with cats, visitors, and kids…as long as everyone respects his “I will simply remove myself from this situation” coping strategy. And you, his human should be the enforcer of that. You're there to protect and serve. Of course.
An underbite so good it deserves its own fan club. It’s art.
Oliver-isms:
We are working on petting. If Oliver is in his kennel and…contained, he’s learning to trust that hands can be kind. With a soft voice and slow movements, he’ll allow pets, however suspicious and may even relax a little into it. Current approved petting zones include chest, neck, and under the chin. Going at his speed is key.
Leashes? Not yet. Harnesses? A work in progress. Personal space? Kind of, he closes the gap on his own terms.
Being picked up is a hard no. Emergency blanket burrito method has been used, but he finds it deeply offensive.
He’s not your brewery patio sidekick or social butterfly.
Car rides currently betray him. He does get carsick, and while we’re working on desensitizing him, he will not willingly enter a vehicle. At this time, kennel-to-car is the move.
If he does get sick, he will thoughtfully attempt to cover it up if provided with a towel. A considerate king.
Oliver doesn’t confront the world, he retreats from it. Which means he needs a home that respects his pace, reads his signals, and celebrates the small wins (like existing in the same room as you without suspicion).
Important Fine Print (read this like a contract you actually care about):
Oliver is by appointment only. You can arrange a meeting with him and his foster by filling out the adoption application.
There is a very strong chance that much of the progress he’s made will need to be rebuilt with his new human and dog sibling. This isn’t failure, it’s just how dogs like Oliver learn. The blueprint exists, but you’ll have to build your own relationship.
His dream home:
Another playful, confident dog to show him the ropes (this is non-negotiable, he thrives with a dog buddy)
A securely fenced yard for zoomies, because walks aren’t his thing…yet
Humans with grit: the kind who understand that trust isn’t given, it’s earned slowly, quietly, and 100% worth it
Oliver is not for everyone. In fact, he’s for a very specific someone. Someone who doesn’t need instant gratification, who sees the potential in a dog who’s still figuring it all out, and who will stick around long enough to watch him bloom.
Because he will.
And when he does? It’s going to feel like you won the lottery…except the jackpot is a weird little pug mix with a legendary underbite who finally decided you’re safe.
If you’re ready to earn it, Oliver’s ready to try
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