* Interested in adopting? Please read the dog’s full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an application at www.dpsrescue.org.
All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.Adoption fee: $650
Meet Pokey: Equal parts goofball and lovebug
Pokey is a 10-12 month old Terrier mix, weighing in at just under 20 lbs, with a huge personality packed into one adorable scruffy little body. He came to the shelter as a stray and shared a kennel there with another dog, but in foster care he’s been living the solo-dog life — soaking up all the love and attention he can get.
From the moment he arrived, Pokey made himself right at home. Within an hour of walking through the door, he was zooming around the backyard, covering the family in kisses, and acting like he’d lived there forever.
If Pokey had to choose a career path, it would probably be professional best friend.
Certified Velcro Boy
Pokey absolutely adores people and bonds quickly with his family. His foster family lovingly calls him “The Kissing Machine” because his tongue is his primary form of expressing affection.
He’s the kind of dog who wants to be involved in everything you’re doing. He’ll follow you around the house, supervise yard activities, and happily curl up beside you the second you sit down.
Even though he loves being close to his people, Pokey also has a surprisingly independent streak. He’s perfectly capable of entertaining himself with toys, sticks, backyard zoomies, or sunbathing sessions while his humans are nearby.
And then there’s the potato.
At some point, Pokey discovered a random potato in the backyard and decided it was the greatest possession he has ever owned. He proudly carries it around like a prized trophy, despite having plenty of actual toys available. He doesn’t eat it. He just loves it deeply. Honestly, we respect the commitment.
Puppy Energy Included
Pokey is still very much a puppy at heart — goofy, playful, bouncy, and endlessly entertaining. He gets zoomies regularly and can ricochet around the yard at impressive speeds, but he does settle nicely after exercise and attention.
His routine currently looks like this:
He wakes around 6:30am on weekdays and closer to 8:00am on weekends, proving he’s surprisingly adaptable to household schedules. He sleeps peacefully overnight in an X-pen in his foster family’s son’s room and seems perfectly content as long as his people are close by.
After his morning potty break — which he reliably does in the same backyard spot each day — he heads out for a morning walk before breakfast. He’s not much of a breakfast enthusiast and prefers to graze throughout the morning, but dinner? Dinner is VERY important to Pokey.
During the day, he rotates between backyard adventures, toy time, following his humans around, and lounging in sunny spots around the yard like a tiny retired grandpa.
After his evening walk and dinner, he winds down with a nap before one final potty trip and bedtime.
Smart Boy, Sensitive Soul
Pokey is a fast learner and highly food motivated, which is excellent because he’s still working on some puppy basics — especially leash manners.
He pulls hard on leash when excited or nervous, and he can be reactive to loud noises, unfamiliar dogs, and strangers. Trains, busy streets, crowds, and sudden sounds can overwhelm him right now. When he gets scared or overstimulated, he may bark, growl, jump, or pull.
His foster family has already seen improvement in just a short time as he settles in and learns to feel safe, so we think a lot of his reactions come from insecurity and overstimulation. He’ll need adopters who understand that confidence-building is a process and are willing to continue helping him navigate the world calmly and positively.
The good news? Pokey genuinely loves people, and his eagerness to connect makes him a wonderful candidate for continued training.
A quieter neighborhood or calmer walking environment would likely help him feel more successful while he continues building confidence. A yard would be a fun bonus for his zoomies, but it’s not required.
Why We Love Him
Pokey is one of those dogs who makes you laugh constantly. He’s affectionate, hilarious, deeply loving, and completely himself at all times.
One minute he’s flying across the backyard with zoomie energy, the next he’s curled against your side covering your face with kisses, and five minutes later he’s proudly trotting around with his emotional support potato.
He’s goofy. He’s sensitive. He’s smart. He’s a lot of dog packed into a small scruffy package.
And for the right family, he’s going to be an incredibly fun best friend.
SHISH-KEBAB
Maltese
🇺🇸
Palo Alto, California
male, small, adult
Maltese
Palo Alto, California
