Meet Toodles!
This adorable boy has been waiting far too long to find his forever home and is more than ready for his happy ending. Toodles is just over 1 year old and weighs approximately 48 lbs. He appears to be full grown, making him the perfect medium-sized companion. Without a DNA test, we cannot confirm his breed, but we suspect he is a Pittie/bully breed mix. Please don't let this deter you from considering him. There is unfortunately still a negative stigma surrounding Pitties and other bully breeds that causes many wonderful dogs to be overlooked.
We don't know much about Toodles' past, but we do know that he was found wandering the streets of Texas as a stray and was lucky enough to make his way into one of the shelters we work with. He has been living in the shelter environment since June and has been patiently waiting for someone to give him a chance.
The shelter describes Toodles as an incredibly sweet boy with a gentle heart. He can be a little shy when first meeting new people, but with some patience, kind words, and a little time to become comfortable, his affectionate personality begins to shine. Once he trusts you, he is happy to follow you around like a little tiger-striped shadow and become your loyal sidekick.
Because Toodles is still young, we are looking for a patient and dedicated family who is prepared to continue working with him on basic obedience, potty training, household manners, and confidence building. He has spent a significant portion of his young life in a shelter, so his adopter should understand that transitioning into a home will be a big adjustment. He may need some time to decompress, settle into a routine, and learn what is expected of him. This is completely normal, and we believe that with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, he has all the potential to flourish.
Given his somewhat shy nature, we think Toodles may do best in a lower-traffic household where he can settle in without constantly being overwhelmed by unfamiliar people. He seems to love people once he feels comfortable, but his future family should be willing to let him approach new experiences at his own pace.
Toodles has had limited exposure to children, so we don't have an extensive history of him living with them. Based on his overall temperament and love of people, we think he has the potential to do well with children. However, given his initial shyness, older children who understand how to respect a dog's space and boundaries may be the best fit. As with any new dog, interactions with children should always be slow, positive, and supervised.
Toodles has reportedly done wonderfully when meeting other dogs. Because he can initially be a little unsure of himself, we actually think he could thrive in a home with a friendly, confident canine companion who could help show him the ropes and build his confidence. Another dog is certainly not required, though, and he could also be considered for a home where he would be the only dog.
We do not currently know how Toodles behaves around cats. Since we don't have enough information to confidently say that he could live safely with them, we are looking for a cat-free home at this time. We do know that he does not do well around chickens, so a home without chickens is required.
One thing the shelter has already discovered is that Toodles does great on leash, which gives his future family a wonderful starting point for walks, adventures, training, and helping him experience more of the world outside of the shelter.
Given his size and age, we would love to see Toodles in a home with access to a yard, ideally one that is securely fenced, where he can safely play and exercise. However, a fenced yard is not a requirement. We are also open to apartments and condos on a case-by-case basis as long as his adopter is committed to making sure his daily exercise and enrichment needs are met.
Overall, Toodles is a sweet young dog with so much potential. He isn't looking for someone who expects perfection from him on day one. He needs someone who understands that he is still learning, who will give him time when he is unsure, and who is willing to provide the structure, patience, training, and affection he needs to become the best version of himself.
The shelter Toodles is currently in is severely overcrowded, and without a committed adopter, dogs like him face uncertain futures. Toodles has already spent months waiting for someone to see his potential. We would love nothing more than to finally replace his shelter kennel with a safe, loving home of his own.
HEALTH:
Toodles is neutered, microchipped, up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations, on monthly preventatives, and heartworm negative.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
All of our dogs, including Toodles, are currently located in Texas and will be transported to their adopters once the adoption is finalized. Transportation is included in the adoption fee. Please note that adopters will not be able to meet Toodles in person prior to committing, as transport occurs after the adoption has been finalized.
MA License #479
