Zoey

My name is Zoey. I’m a beautiful, sweet, fluffy, 5 yr old, Maltese mix, looking for a very special, loving, patient forever home, with an adopter who has experience with timid dogs. I’m going to give you a lot of information, so that you know everything about me and will know if I’m right for you. It would be best for me to be adopted by someone who lives close to my foster family (St. Pete), so that my foster mom can help with things like brushing and bathing, until I feel safe with my forever family. I need a very special forever home, with parent(s) who understand that it will take me time to trust. I have had a rough start to life and was taught not to trust humans, because they are scary and hurt / neglected me. It took months of patience, love, and gentle guidance to learn that not all people are bad. I had to be hand-fed every day, so that I could get used to human hands offering good things, instead of what I was used to from humans. It took months to accept and enjoy human touch. I am flight risk, especially until I learn to trust you and understand that you are my protector. I ran away from my last home, but fortunately, my foster mom found me, after about 8 hours of searching. Actually, I found HER. I recognized the smell of her car, and waited for her to find me. My foster mom was so terrified and never wants to go through that again, because she loves me so much. ·       I am pretty quiet. My foster mom has heard me bark one or twice in the year we’ve been together. The most noise I make is playing with my squeaky toys. ·I am very food motivated. This is great news for you, as it will help you build trust with me. You’ll need to hand feed me for a while, so that I learn good things come from your hands. Eventually, when I’m eating from a bowl, I’ll need a slow feeder bowl. I love food so much that I’ll scarf it up and then cough and get sick. I have a very sensitive tummy, and the wrong foods can make me sick. My foster mom will share with you a list to help. I’m pretty mellow. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE long walks, but I’m also happy to just lounge around, close to my people, and sleep ·       My foster family is so proud of me because I’ve come such a long way. I had to learn that not all humans want to hurt me, that human touch can be wonderful, human hands can bring me good things, open arms can bring me love, how to wear a collar, how to walk on a leash, how to LOVE the car, that a brush is relaxing (instead of scary), how to put up with a bath (I endure, but I’m still not a fan), and how to enjoy being in public places (knowing my family will protect me). My foster family takes me everywhere dogs are welcome, including stores and outdoor restaurants. ·       Everyone who meets me LOVES me and wants to pet me, because I’m so little, fluffy, and beautiful (I’m quite the catch). My family will have to keep an eye out and remind people not to touch me without my permission. I need to approach them, instead. ·       I love to play with my foster sisters and brothers, and I enjoy cleaning my foster sister’s face, while she fails to appreciate my grooming skills and just growls at me. I’d love a home with another dog, but I will be content if I’m the only dog, as well. ·       I’d prefer a home with no carpet. I spent the first 5 years of my life as a breeder dog, and likely spent most of that time in a crate, not learning that outside is for potty. I am potty trained, but I still have accidents sometimes. I’m so used to my foster family having only tile floors, that when they started putting down little rugs, recently, I thought they were potty pads. How am I supposed to tell the difference? The key to learning to be confident is in socialization. I need lots of walks to explore the world. Don’t leave me at home! Take me with you. The folks at places like restaurants, JoAnn Fabric, Home Goods, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, and Lowe’s love me. I stay close to mom, and I’m well-behaved. I’ll even take treats from gentle hands. I have to get to know other dogs before I am comfortable around them. You can’t just take me to the dog park and let me go. That is too scary for me. I may sniff another dog, politely, on a walk, but I usually keep my distance. I am SMART! My foster mom kept getting me puzzles, but I figured them out too quickly! Don’t tell anyone, but she tells the other dogs, “Well, at least you’re pretty” at their embarrassing performance with the puzzles. I am even learning to use a nail board to trim my nails, until I can learn to deal with nail trimming. I may be timid, but I’m used to thunder and fireworks (as long as the fireworks are not too loud and don’t hurt my ears, so keep me inside). My foster mom taught me that fireworks and thunder mean FUN time inside the house. Mom dances like a dork, does silly play-bows, which makes me happy, and I get tasty treats. She does not baby me, which would make me think there’s something to be afraid of. ·       These gorgeous locks don’t just happen, you know. I need to be brushed daily, if my hair is kept long. Fortunately, I now love being brushed. I’m hoping my new family has grooming experience, as strangers coming at me with objects is still very scary. When I get to know you and really trust you, I will love you with my whole, beautiful heart. You will be my everything, and I’ll share long, loving looks with you, so that you will know how much you are loved. I adore affection. I like to put my paws on my foster mom’s legs, so she can bend over and gently hug me. I even like when she picks me up and holds me, as long as she’s scratching me the whole time. She can even hold me like a baby, and I’ll just relax and close my eyes, while she scratches my tummy. I prefer to sleep in bed with my foster family, and hang out on the back of the couch, close to my foster mom. If you meet me, watch how I am with my foster mom. That will be you someday soon. I will adore you, and you will be my whole world. It may take a little time, but that makes each little win all the sweeter! Adoption $400 All UnderDogs are spayed/neutered, heartworm checked, microchipped, up to date on vaccines and heartworm/flea/tick preventatives. For consideration for one or more dogs, we require that an on-line application is filled out. TO ADOPT THIS DOG PLEASE FILL OUT AN APPLICATION AT https://underdogrescueofflorida.com/. Look Sorry, we do not adopt outside of Florida. Applicants are subject to a home visit, and veterinary references will be checked. Please include a vet reference (including phone number) when applying online. Our application process: FIRST, an application must be approved for adoption from our rescue. SECOND, we determine whether the dog that has been applied for is a "good match" for the household that wants to adopt him/her. We take into consideration the dog's activity level, compatibility with other members of the household (human and other pets), etc. If your application has been approved, but the dog you applied for is no longer available, please take the time and look over our adoptable dogs again. We will make every effort to find the right dog for an approved applicant. We hope you agree and understand that our goal to find the best forever home is our #1 priority! Please fill out an Adoption Application at https://underdogrescueofflorida.com/