Penny

This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, February 21st from 12-3pm unless adopted prior to the event. To be considered for adoption, please submit an application in advance at https://www.dpsrescue.com/adopt/dog-application/.<br/><br/>Adoption fee: $700<br/>Meet Penny, a 6 month old Dachshund mix weighing just about 9 pounds. Penny is blossoming into a gentle, affectionate companion who is discovering just how good it feels to be safe, warm, and loved.<br/><br/>Penny thrives on routine and has quickly learned that her kennel is her safe haven. She sleeps peacefully in her kennel each night. She may let out a small whine when first placed inside, but she settles quickly and then rests quietly until morning. On office days, she spends time in a large, cozy kennel set up with all her comforts and can make it through a full workday without going to the bathroom. When her foster works from home, Penny enjoys a balance of kennel time and special desk time — complete with her own little bed placed next to the keyboard so she can quietly “work” alongside her person. She will simply curl up and hang out, content just being near.<br/><br/>Her kennel has been thoughtfully placed in the family room so she always has access to it, even when it’s not closed. She often chooses to go in on her own when she needs reassurance. At the same time, she has grown increasingly confident exploring the house, hopping onto couches, and observing daily life. It’s been beautiful watching her confidence grow while still knowing she can retreat to her safe space whenever she needs to.<br/><br/>Penny is one of the '8 in a Crate,' rescued from a shelter after being abandoned with 7 of her friends in one small crate. When Penny first arrived, she was completely shut down. She trembled when approached and would freeze if placed outside her kennel. She showed no interest in people or the resident dogs and seemed overwhelmed by the world around her. Her foster family adjusted thoughtfully — moving her kennel into the main living space so she could observe from safety, offering different food, creating a smaller pen area outside, and most importantly, giving her time and patience.<br/><br/>Slowly, Penny began to emerge. Today, she spends most of her time outside the kennel and only runs back if she feels unsure. She’s learning what’s acceptable in a home environment. Early on, if she tried something new — like her first jump onto the couch — she would whimper softly and retreat. Now? She confidently hops up while her people are nearby and even asks for attention. She has started greeting her foster parents with full-body wiggles, her tiny frame vibrating with excitement as she works through her nerves to seek affection.<br/><br/>Penny lives with two large dogs and has warmed up to them beautifully. While she’s too petite for rough play, they peacefully sniff and coexist without issue. She has not shown any barking behaviors — in fact, her foster has not heard her bark at all. She does not chew, dig, or exhibit destructive habits.<br/><br/>She is timid by nature and remains very aware of her surroundings, always scanning for potential danger. But the more love she receives, the more she leans into it. She gets cold easily and absolutely adores being tucked under a blanket. Being covered is her happy place. Once wrapped up warm and cozy, she will stay there for hours, clearly feeling secure and content.<br/><br/>Outdoors, she initially froze on leash walks and would not move. With patience, she’s making progress in the backyard, where she now sniffs around and will go to the bathroom when placed in the main yard. While she can hold her potty for long stretches and has not had regular accidents, she may piddle a bit when nervous - a behavior which will undoubtedly improve once her confidence grows.<br/><br/>Penny’s ideal home will be one with patient, experienced adopters who understand how to communicate gently and without intimidation. She will thrive with someone who appreciates the importance of a safe space and is willing to let her build confidence at her own pace. Because she is so small, even a modest living space gives her plenty of room to explore and grow. She will need a resident dog in the home to help her learn, trust, and thrive.<br/><br/>What sets Penny apart is the courage you can see in real time. You can watch her push past her fear to ask for love. You can see her choose connection over retreat. And when she wiggles her whole little body in greeting or burrows under a blanket to feel safe, you realize just how much trust she is offering.<br/><br/>Penny is a tiny dog with a tender heart who is learning that the world doesn’t have to be scary. With continued patience and love, she will reward her person with devotion, sweetness, and the quiet joy of watching a shy soul fully bloom.

This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, February 21st from 12-3pm unless adopted prior to the event. To be considered for adoption, please submit an application in advance at https://www.dpsrescue.com/adopt/dog-application/.

Adoption fee: $700
Meet Penny, a 6 month old Dachshund mix weighing just about 9 pounds. Penny is blossoming into a gentle, affectionate companion who is discovering just how good it feels to be safe, warm, and loved.

Penny thrives on routine and has quickly learned that her kennel is her safe haven. She sleeps peacefully in her kennel each night. She may let out a small whine when first placed inside, but she settles quickly and then rests quietly until morning. On office days, she spends time in a large, cozy kennel set up with all her comforts and can make it through a full workday without going to the bathroom. When her foster works from home, Penny enjoys a balance of kennel time and special desk time — complete with her own little bed placed next to the

This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, February 21st from 12-3pm unless adopted prior to the event. To be considered for adoption, please submit an application in advance at https://www.dpsrescue.com/adopt/dog-application/.

Adoption fee: $700
Meet Penny, a 6 month old Dachshund mix weighing just about 9 pounds. Penny is blossoming into a gentle, affectionate companion who is discovering just how good it feels to be safe, warm, and loved.

Penny thrives on routine and has quickly learned that her kennel is her safe haven. She sleeps peacefully in her kennel each night. She may let out a small whine when first placed inside, but she settles quickly and then rests quietly until morning. On office days, she spends time in a large, cozy kennel set up with all her comforts and can make it through a full workday without going to the bathroom. When her foster works from home, Penny enjoys a balance of kennel time and special desk time — complete with her own little bed placed next to the keyboard so she can quietly “work” alongside her person. She will simply curl up and hang out, content just being near.

Her kennel has been thoughtfully placed in the family room so she always has access to it, even when it’s not closed. She often chooses to go in on her own when she needs reassurance. At the same time, she has grown increasingly confident exploring the house, hopping on