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Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. At Pound Dog Rescue, we believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, and learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process.
Hey World, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Pesci, named after ‘Joe Pesci’ for my small size but mighty personality and sometimes loud mouth and opinions. I am a long haired Chihuahua, I’m going on 10.5 years old, I weigh around 8lbs and I am gorgeous if I do say so myself.
Let’s get the ugly stuff out of the way. I was turned into a pound with limited options and I was on the chopping block. I was apparently growling at people in my old home and was peeing all over the house. I hadn’t seen a vet since I was a puppy and as it turned out I was a senior dog with a lot of medical issues, no friends or family that cared and let me tell you, i was hurting. See, my jaw was broken in half, I had a raging bladder infection, big stones in my bladder, one of which got stuck in my urethra, and my mouth was rotting out. In fact I had a hole rotted into my sinus cavity and my teeth literally fell out…one even on the way to the vet! Can you believe that? I mean, no wonder I was cranky and peeing everywhere, I needed help but no one was listening. My foster Mom and Pound Dog Rescue saw me and despite my less than stellar video performance, they wanted to give me a chance. They believed I needed it and although I will only ever publicly admit this once, man, I was desperate. They found me when I really needed it most.
My medical issues are all cleared up and I am a healthy guy. My jaw healed in its broken state but it doesn’t cause me any pain, my mouth is just a bit wonky but I call it ‘character’. I have to eat special food because of the stones in my bladder I had before, we really want to keep that from happening again…it sucks! But the good news is, I love the food…so much so that I know exactly when meal time should be and I voice my grievances if it is not delivered on time. Due to the damage done to my urinary tract, I can sometimes still dribble a little (it’s not often, but it occasionally happens) and I need regular bathroom breaks. There is not a lot of time between when I need to go and when you get me outside, so “chop chop! No dilly dallying!”. I stay in my crate when I am left alone and overnight, and I don’t mind it one bit. I actually really like my crate. You’ll just need to make sure that I get plenty of trips outside before I go to hang out in it for an extended period of time.
Let me fill you in on what makes me a unique kind of guy looking for just the right match. Due to my previous experiences, I did not like to be touched by hands. Like I said, they have not been good to me and I do not forget that. It took many months to trust my foster Mom but I am now at this place with her that I am actually really affectionate and often seek out physical touch. I like to groom her head, snuggle into her neck and face for cuddles, crawl up onto her chest during morning coffee time and am now ok with her petting me and even rubbing my belly. Of course this is all on my terms because I am very much like a cat; affection when I want it, not clingy, leave me alone when I am not in the mood for it. I won’t be suited to a family with kids or people who don’t understand this as I will get snappy. I give you plenty of warning, so if you push me to the point of losing my…mind…it’s not my fault. I am crystal clear about my boundaries and you have plenty of opportunity to leave me alone. I don’t have teeth so I can’t
hurt you, I don’t even want to, I just don’t want you to touch me when I am not in that trusting, affectionate mood. Generally speaking, though, I can handle you putting on a leash, taking me for a walk, but don’t be stroking my gorgeous coat (it’s beautiful, am I right?) when I say ‘no thanks’. I am also super quirky and love cuddling with your feet. I know it’s weird, but feet never hurt me, feet are good. I love snuggling up to them, pulling them in close to me with a paw and showering them with kisses if you let me.
You know what else I am? So smart! I come when called, I have learned to sit, lie down and sit pretty. I really do want to be loved and be part of a family, I want to be a good guy. I live with a few other small dogs and I do well and am getting better all the time. I like them, but I have awkward social skills at times. My cues are all mixed up and I can leave dogs so confused about what I really mean or want from them. I am worse than a pre-teen at a grade 8 school dance…trying, but woefully socially unskilled! I am getting better and wouldn’t mind a canine companion, but if I am going to be around other dogs they have to be so patient with a guy like me and not react to every dumb move I make…because I make a lot. I never really left my home for all my years with my other people and I don’t know how to ‘dog’; for 9 years I basically lived without other positive doggy or people friends. Thankfully my foster siblings here are really kind and gentle and they take me in stride. But, they also give me fair corrections when I cross their line and you know what? I respect that…I’m not a fighter no matter what my blustering might tell you.
I have grown to love car rides, sometimes I like walks and sometimes I don’t. But you know what I do love? My backyard kingdom. I feel good there, I feel safe and I like to explore all the little hiding spots. So, this is really a must for me as it is one of my big sources of joy. My kingdom needs to be fully secure so I can’t wander out of it because if I do, let me tell you, I’m likely not coming back. This boy is an independent man and he will go where he wants to, no amount of bribing is going to get me back.
When it comes to meeting people, ‘no thank you’ to people I don’t know wanting to touch me. I want my space. If I come up to sniff them, it’s because I want to and not on anyone else’s agenda. I will take food from them sometimes, sometimes I won’t. Let’s be honest here, I don’t let my walls down easily and it’s going to take time and understanding for me to feel safe and open up. Random Joe Schmoes are going to have to appreciate me from afar until I am ready. Affection from me must be earned through patience and a history of kindness from you. Maybe I will change my mind about that one day, I have already made so much progress. Please don’t think this is going to be a quick process for me to learn to trust you or anyone else, because it won’t be…but I promise, I can get there. In fact, my foster Mon said I have become such a loving guy that it surprises even her.
Apparently I am supposed to tell you other good things. As you know, I can now be quite cuddly when I trust you and feel so inclined. I love to lay down on the couch near you to watch Netflix at night, I am comical and do excited little hops when I am happy. I have started playing social distancing tag with my foster Mike, I play hide and seek, 
I love Puppacinos and my local Starbucks thinks I am awesome and should have my own social media team. But please, don’t be someone that wants to exploit my sassy mess for internet videos because that is actually pretty stressing for me…not cool.
I know I’m quirky, I try every day to do better and I take steps forward all the time. I don’t know if I can ever let all of my walls down, but I try harder every day. And please, don’t apply for me if you think you are saving me. My foster Mom is awesome and she thinks I am super endearing in the weirdest ways, and I don’t need to leave here for someone who thinks they are doing me a favour. I am only going to leave here if someone truly wants to bring me home and love me just as I am. I have had enough of humans letting me down, I need the real deal, unconditional kind of love. I need you to love me knowing I am trying really hard and I do want to be better every day. It’s not an easy road, but I wouldn’t mind a chauffeur to take me down it and show me the good life. If you think you can do that, swipe right…or email Pound Dog…whatever it is the kids do these days.