Arrival story: Little Rico was a stray picked up by a rural shelter. He came to the rural shelter thin, flea infested and infected with coccidia, but all his medical needs have been met, and Rico is ready for adoption!
Approximate age / weight: 3 years old and 8lbs.
Personality: Rico is the sweetest little lap dog! He is an adorable Chihuahua with pretty markings. Rico often tries to get his foster parents to pick him up so he can nestle in their laps. He warms up to people pretty quickly and is extremely friendly. Rico doesnt bark a lot, but he does talk, and it is quite amusing! Visitors and vet staff laugh when they spend time with Rico. The trick is knowing when his talk revs up to a warning that he is over-stimulated. Yes, he will nip if you dont respect his warning, but it wont take long to learn how to read Rico and respect his needs.
Rico loves to curl up with his foster parents, under a soft blanket. Sometimes he purrs, and sometimes he just lays quietly. Sometimes he flops over for a belly rub and makes a racket while you rub his belly, another moment you are sure to laugh!
Rico is not totally housebroken, but he doesnt have a lot of accidents in his foster home because he is let outside often. He is fine in his crate, and whines only if he sees you sitting down in a chair that you normally cuddle with him in. Then he whines, Hey...you forgot me! Rico loves soft, fleece throws to curl up in and hide under.
He does shed quite a bit and he hates wearing any kind of clothing. If the weather isnt too cold, Rico enjoys sniffing around the yard and playing fetch. He picks up toys, even the big dog toys, and runs around with them like a puppy would. He does play with the other dogs in the foster home a little bit, but he does not like to share his foster parents with the other dogs when he is on their laps.
Rico ignores the resident cat and his best dog buddy is the resident senior Great Dane! He likes to sit on the Dane and use him as a giant hot water bottle, nestling up against him to keep warm. While Rico does fine with all the resident dogs because each one plays so gently with him, he would do better in a home without other dogs or one with a small, female dog who is a lower energy dog, since Rico is more of a couch potato himself.
Forever home: Rico would love the company of a person (or couple) who is settled and enjoys spending time cuddling a lovable little dog! He wants someone to play fetch, too. Because of his quirkiness and delicate size, he is not a good candidate for a home with small children, even though he likes them.
If shedding, a few accidents, and potential nipping are an issue, this is not the dog for you. If you like to dress your dog, this is not the dog for you. But if you arent bothered by shedding, some accidents and some attitude on occasion, you are looking for a buddy to cuddle with and make you laugh, and you are willing to learn Ricos language, then you will grow to love him, as his foster parents do! If you are a big dog fan and looking to transition to a small dog, Rico might be the right dog for you. His foster mom has never had a small dog and thought she never would, but Rico sure has stolen her heart.
Contact: loridames@comcast.net
Pre-Adoption Application: To be considered for a dog, it is best to submit a pre-adoption application. The pre-adoption application can be downloaded from our website - www.waggintailsdogrescue.org/adoptionprocess.html. Just complete the application and email it back to wtdr2008@yahoo.com
Waggin' Tails Adoption Information: Waggin' Tails Dog Rescue has a standard adoption fee of $225 for adult dogs. Different adoption fees apply for older dogs, small breeds and puppies - $125 for senior dogs (9 years +) , $275 for small breed dogs and $250 for puppies, plus a $50 deposit which is returned upon proof of spay/neuter. Our adoption process includes an application, vet reference checks, and a home visit.
Waggin' Tails Dog Rescue does not have a shelter facility. All of our dogs are fostered in private homes. To meet a dog in person, please see our event calendar on our website at www.waggintailsdogrescue.org for the latest information. Arrangements can be made to meet our rescue dogs outside of Saturday adoption events after an approved application is submitted. This application does not imply an obligation to adopt by the applicant or by the rescue group.
Our volunteers have made rescue a second job that they do in their spare time after coming home from full-time jobs. E-mail inquiries are the quickest way to obtain information about a dog.
Thank you for your support of rescue and your interest in a rescue dog!
