Here are our two rescues. We had big dogs in the past, and I was a little resistant to small dogs, mainly because I was going to be embarrassed to walk them. However, these two may be small, but they have giant personalities. Why do they end up in shelters?
Roxy, the black and tan, came from the Humane Society. My wife saw her while she was volunteering there and 'made' me come in to meet her. Roxy was nine years old when we got her. The Humane Society had picked her up from a high kill shelter, and it breaks our hearts to think she was in that situation. She was very well trained, and super sweet. She had to have most of her teeth pulled, along with a hysterectomy when the Humane Society got her. We were told they thought she was probably a Papillon/Chihuahua mix, but have since been told she's probably a Russian Toy Terrier. We don't know her background other than that, but speculate that she was owned by an elderly person who either couldn't take care of her, passed away, or moved into a home. She was a little shy when we first got her three years ago, but she has really opened up since. She is super attached to my wife and will snuggle next to her on the sofa.
Zoey we got later from a foster home. She was found abandoned, running around on the streets with a mini-pack of three other small dogs. Knowing her now that was probably the cutest pack of strays ever. She probably is Papillon/Chihuahua, and has a distinctly different muzzle shape from Roxy. The two of them love each other, although Zoey is probably only a four years old and much more playful, so Roxy tires of her quickly. When we got her a year and a half ago, I took her to puppy training. She has learned a lot, and is good at basic sit, down, heel, etc. It helps that she is massively food motivated. She has really bonded to me. I take them to work sometimes and she will follow me around the office and likes to sit behind me in my office chair, between my back and the chair back with her head poking out under my arm so she can see what's going on. When she stays at home, she'll 'sing' to me when I get back, and wag her tail so hard she bends 90 degrees in the middle.
Like I said, I was not looking for small dogs, but these two are great - very well behaved, not chewy or yappy, and super affectionate. They know they have a good thing going in their forever home. Keep looking - you'll find a great rescue!
