Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
-
Story
Pet Location: Wayside Waifs CampusMy Friends at Wayside say: -I am from a puppy mill situation. I will likely need extra time to adjust to home life. I have lived with other dogs but have not socialized with people until recently. Things like walking on a leash and going through doorways can be challenging for me. Adopting me will be extremely rewarding, but I need time to learn. -During my time at Wayside, I have enjoyed co-existing with other dogs. -New people and things make me a little nervous. Let’s take things slow! -I was house-trained in my foster home. My home needs are: -A fenced yard is a must for me! I am still learning how to walk on a leash, so I need a secure area to go out for potty breaks.-If you have kids in the home 9 years old and younger, I will need to meet them since I can be nervous around new people and loud noises. -For my safety, I need to go home on an anti-slip collar called a martingale collar. For your convenience, we sell them in our retail store, Whiskers and Wags.Hi there, I’m Felicia! I’m sweet and shy and still learning so much about this big new world that I’ve just discovered. I’m a resilient little gal, though, so with time and patience and space, I will make such a nice companion for someone. I hope maybe that someone will be you!I’m an adorable, 5-year-old, 18-pound Rat Terrier mix, with the cutest little expressive face, and an unassuming, curious, lovely personality. I have learned to go to the bathroom when I get outside, but please stay patient with me, especially as I’m getting settled in and acclimated to my new routine with you. If you keep me on a schedule, it will help to set me up for success. I came to Wayside after I was rescued from a sad and awful life full of neglect in a puppy mill. I was so grateful to get out of there, but still terrified of what the future might hold. My life has just been difficult and confusing for as long as I can remember. Once at Wayside, I was terrified, as I huddled and trembled in the corner of my kennel, hoping no one would notice me. Everything started to turn around once I was able to make a few friends and get some fresh air with the other dogs. And then I was able to get the best break ever when Foster Mom took me home with her for several days. I made remarkable progress in such a short time as I learned so much about just being a normal dog. I was able to relax and chill and just breathe for the first time in my life. I’m very well behaved in the house and I haven’t had any accidents. For the first few days, I stayed in my ex-pen in the kitchen. Even when the door was open, I hesitated to come out. Having my own space made me feel safe. My foster parents gave me time to do things at my own pace, which helped to put me at ease. I learned that approaching Foster Mom wasn’t so scary after all, and I started to sit close to her, happy to know that she was nearby. When I had enough, I would simply move away. It felt nice. And then I started to follow her around the house and explore every inch of the place. Living in a real home felt fascinating to me. While I became more comfortable with each passing day in foster, I still dealt with the fear and insecurities of my past at times. Having someone pet me or pick me up still made me feel uncomfortable, I was still easily startled by strange noises or actions, and simple household things like stairs proved to be scary for me. With positive reinforcement and patience, I will become more confident and brave, but these things just take time. In foster, I loved going outside to explore and sniff in our fenced yard. I am a flight risk, so I will need very close supervision whenever I am outside. I will always need to be in a securely fenced yard or on a leash. I’ve recently been working on my leash skills, and I enjoyed going for leisurely walks in our neighborhood with Foster Mom and her other small dog. Her bigger dogs sort of intimidated me, so I left them alone. At Wayside, I preferred to coexist with the other dogs rather than play. I’m looking for a quiet and calm home without a lot of commotion and with patient people who will respect my space and give me time to adjust to my new life as a family dog. If you have kids under the age of 10, I will need to meet them before we go home together to make sure that we’re a good match. Living a safe and peaceful life with someone I love sounds fantastic to me. I hope you feel the same. I’d love to be your dog. Please make sure you ask for me at the desk. I am back in the building but not the part you walk through.Love, Felicia
