Howie was brought to Chula Vista Animal Care Facility by someone claiming to have found him as a stray, but his microchip revealed that the "finder" was actually his owner, who provided false information to avoid the formal relinquishment process. This handsome 8-year-old boy weighs about 60 pounds and has been thriving in a foster home since November. Because he's been living in a home environment, we've learned so much about his personality, habits, and what makes him such a wonderful companion.
His foster mom shares:
"Howie loves every single human he has ever met, is great with kids, has perfect house manners, is potty-trained with not a single accident in the 6 months I've had him, walks well on leash, and is overall extremely easy, sweet, and friendly. He knows sit, down, stay, spin, shake, go find it, and has recently learned "leave it" and "take it".
Howie loves to eat, and will politely sit for his meals. He enjoys working for his food and prefers enrichment boxes, snuffle mats, and slow feeders over a plain bowl. He is a foodie! Howie has zero separation anxiety and loves to nap. When left home alone, I leave him free roaming. He alternates between napping on the couch, the dog beds, or the crate (I always leave the crate open for him and he can choose if/when he wants to go in there). He does not play or destroy anything while home alone, and will happily greet me when I come back home.
Howie is a Velcro dog. When you are home, he wants to be where his people are. He loves to cuddle and nap. Howie loves toys. Give him a tennis ball or a stuffy or a bone and he will be happy as can be. He also loves new friends. When a new person visits the house or he meets them outside, he gets very excited, may jump on them and give them kisses, and wiggle around. He settles down after a few minutes and is very mellow after, but will ask for belly rubs and give kisses. With his osteoarthritis, he doesn't often realize when he is overdoing it on his joints. If you let him, he will walk for hours, so I do limit how much/long he walks or runs, to ensure that he doesn't hurt his joints.
Howie sleeps on my bed all night, lying next to me with just one limb barely touching, which is enough to have personal space while also being close together. He sleeps for as long as I do and only wakes up when I'm awake and get out of bed. While I eat my breakfast, he plays with a toy or naps. If it's a work day, we go upstairs where he naps on his dog bed in my office while I work. After work, we do our evening walk and dinner, then he plays with some toys or we cuddle until bedtime. Howie is very calm and chill while I am working and is the best coworker because he's so quiet that I often forget he's there.
Howie has gone to do SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) Pups twice. He loves getting on the board and enjoys swimming in the water. I have taken him to pet stores numerous times, and he loves walking around, making new human friends, and picking out a toy for himself. He is a staff favorite at Pet Supply Bonita. Howie had a happy hour fundraiser in his honor in early April, and he had a blast meeting a couple hundred new people at a bar. He is happy to accompany me on car rides and errands, loves a trip to the park, and is more than happy to hang out at home and cuddle and play with his toys all day. Howie's favorite days are when friends come over, or we go somewhere to meet friends. He is a very social butterfly."
As much as Howie LOVES humans, he has never been properly socialized with other dogs. He is not reactive, but does not understand other dogs' behavior cues and gets uncomfortable when dogs make direct eye contact with him or get close to his face. For these reasons, Howie needs a home where he is the only pet.
If you're looking for a sweet, loyal, well-behaved companion who loves to have fun and be by your side, Howie could be the perfect match for you. He's ready to give all his love to a home without other pets.
To meet Howie, please email: placement@frostedfacesfoundation.org
FIFI TIPPYTOES
Poodle
🇺🇸
Ramona, California
female, small, senior
Poodle
Ramona, California
