**ELIZA Chihuahua & Poodle Mix Peralta, NM

Scroll down for bio and instructions to adopt
**IMPORTANT!! Please read the entire bio before contacting us with questions. Send us an email requesting an application to start the adoption process adopt@almosthomenm.org Make sure you add our address to your safe sender list or watch your junk/spam emails. For more photos please visit our Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Almost-Home-New-Mexico/203840136304815

Approximate DOB 07/01/2016
Size - About 8 lbs
History- Eliza was found about 3 years ago. One of our friends went out one morning to start her truck before work. As she was going back inside she saw a small scared soaking wet little dog. She called her over but she stayed out of reach. Eventually she chased her into her garage got her some blankets and food just until after work. After work she tried to make friends with her and took photos to post in hopes of finding her family. Sadly nobody was looking for her. She caught the little girl and gave her a nice warm bath- she was scared but didn't try to bite so that was promising. Well, when her family could not be found she asked if she could come into our program- she needed some work though as she was still very scared. We agreed to take her and she has since been spayed, heart worm tested, chipped, and brought up to date on all vaccines.
Eliza has been with us now for a few years. We have posted her and removed her quite a few times from the website as people just see her cuteness and do not read her bio. We had one person tell us it was a training issue. Let me be very clear after years of working with her and our vets it has been determined she has some sort of brain injury/dementia type issue going on. So she does need a very specific home and we will be very very selective as we have spent a lot of time trying to get her to this point. Please read her bio carefully as she does have some quirks and will need a special home.
Temperament- Very curious, sweet, gentle but still fearful. We have found she does best in a quiet home with only 1 or 2 people. There are days she is super loving and will go to you for cuddles and other days where she has no idea who you are and will look at you as though you are a complete stranger.
Energy Level- Mid level energy. Once she finds a dog to bond with she will initiate play with them. She rarely will play with people.
Dogs/Cats- Good with other other dogs and good with cats. She usually finds another dog here in the rescue that she loves and pairs up with. She becomes an irritating sister that follows them everywhere.
House trained- House trained and using a dog door most of the time. I say most of the time as there are times where we wake up and she has pottied on the couch or in the living room. No rhyme or reason except for whatever reason she forgets she is house trained. Soooo it is best to crate her at night or when you can not watch her at least initially until she has her habits created and knows where to go to potty. So now when we leave we leave her loose in the house and know she won't ruin anything or have accidents but at night we will crate her if we notice she is having an off day.
Eliza is a sweet girl who would love a family of her very own that has the patience and love to show her what being part of a family is all about. She is just so cute and can be very sweet sometimes once she trusts someone. However, upon saying that she is still a very nervous pup even after being here for almost 2 years. She has cat like tendencies. When she is outside she will keep her distance from us but inside depending on how many people are around she comes to say hi and cuddle on the couch. However, there are also times that she will roam the house nervously. She has been left in the house with my cats and ignores them so no worries there. Sweet Eliza will make a wonderful addition to any quiet, loving family that would love a tiny little project dog to love even though it might take a while - as mentioned she has been here a while and is still fearful and confused at times depending on if she remembers you or not.
*** A few things about Eliza that we feel are important for any potential adopters to know. Yes we love her and would love nothing more than for her to find a home however we also don't think we should set her or a potential adopter up for failure by just telling everyone she is sweet and wonderful. She is special and can be a wonderful companion for someone special but these are a few important issues one should know. 1- She can scale wire fencing if she wants to escape and initially she will attempt escape until she is familiar with the home. 2- She is scared of storms and will almost panic and must be inside before they start or she will attempt escape- climbing fences to run blindly away. 3-She is very cat like but more like a nervous cat- she has taken 2 years with us just to get to the point of coming and licking my hand while I am watching tv. She will usually kind of panic and dodge when we are walking. No she has never been kicked while here but maybe in her past she had been? We are not sure. She is just a very nervous confused dog. She would do best with another small dog who she can bond with. Preferably a quiet home with a courtyard or walled area at least initially where she can be contained safely until she is used to the change in home. She does know "go inside" -- soo on her off days if she is scared of the house/doorway (for whatever reason) I can tell her go inside and she will scoot inside. She likes following us around outside but will very very rarely come to us outside.. She stays a distance and will only come to us if it is a good day and the other dogs are coming to us for attention.. She can never be left outside alone while someone runs errands- if a storm comes along and she is outside she will go into panic mode and start trying to escape to just run blindly. If it is a bad storm we will crate her with blankets -- she seems calmer in a crate during storms.. Usually we keep a crate open for her in the living room for storms or off days-- she will go in it on her own if she feels the need for her own little space.. She is a sweet cute dog just has a special personality..
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Adoption fee $100 includes spay, age appropriate vaccinations (4 for puppies), deworming, microchip, rabies vacc, heartworm test (neg), collar and leash, training information, and all the support you need.
Send us an e-mail to adopt@almosthomenm.org requesting an application to adopt this sweetie!! An application must be submitted to us prior to making an appointment. Animals are seen by appointment after we have received the completed application. Please be aware we will not give out directions to meet any animals without an application.
We do give a discount when adopting multiple pets.
Visit our main website www.almosthomenm.org
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If you would like to help care for this homeless baby while they await their new home please send a donation Almost Home NM - PO Box 772- Peralta, NM 87042 or via paypal - "Tools"- "Send Money"- "Friends and Family" - Email address adopt@almosthomenm.org