Booker

You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website. Meet Booker, our sweet little Maltese/Shih Tzu mix! This 5-year-old, 15-pound, neutered male is looking for a loving home where he can truly thrive. He is heartworm positive so he'll need to go through treatment for that but, he's a medium energy guy and ready to enjoy life to the fullest. He's a true lap dog at heart, craving love and snuggles and being with his people, but he needs a bit of guidance and patience to adjust to his new surroundings. He adores chew toys and playing with other dogs, so having a confident companion dog in his new home could be a great benefit. I'm happy to report that Booker does well with cats and prefers the company of small dogs or gentle big dogs. A quieter home would be ideal for him, but his curiosity usually overcomes any initial hesitation. He is adjusting wonderfully to my home, and I'm giving him lots of exposure to new places and people. If he's unsure of someone's approach, he might let out a little growl, but he stops with a firm "no." I see this as a positive sign that his confidence is growing. Mostly potty trained, he does need some help working on his separation anxiety. Found as a stray in Texas, he'll be arriving in Minnesota on July 27, eager to find a new family to call his own. If you're looking for a loving, playful, and cuddly companion who just needs a little extra help settling in, this sweet boy might be the perfect addition to your family! Booker is from Texas. One big thing you should know is they are heartworm positive - but please don't let that scare you away from adopting them! After they undergo treatment for their condition they will be completely healthy again, and heartworm is not a contagious disease. Because they need treatment, they are available exclusively through Ruff Start's Foster to Adopt (FTA) program. Click here to learn more about this program. They will get heartworm treatment at one of Ruff Start's partner veterinary clinics in St. Cloud, so their foster will need to be comfortable getting them to and from the appointments. Treatment will consist of three injections: the first will be roughly 30 days after they enter rescue. Then, the second and third injections will happen 30 days after the first. When they are undergoing treatment, they should be on activity 'restrictions' which just means they should relax in their crate or cuddle with you. Click here to learn more about heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. If you are interested in getting to know this animal better, please fill out an adoption application. An adoption application is the best way to show your interest in an animal and is not a binding contract. To learn more about Ruff Start's adoption process and the care our foster animals receive, please visit our How to Adopt page. If you are unable to adopt but want to help this animal and others in our care, you can donate to support the medical and veterinary needs of all Ruff Start Rescue animals.