Tootsie~ Adopted!

Tootsie is a 16 month old female chihuahua who comes to us after the death of her owner.
Check out her Photos on Facebook!

She is receiving medical care and is seeking a loving home! If you are interested in being considered for Tootsie please read Our Adoption Process, answer the questions presented in the article, and send your answers to the email listed in the post.

Sarah’s take on Tootsie:

During my visit to Florida for the TDL Reunion I had the opportunity to meet Tootsie. She is a beautiful Chihuahua with the most amazingly sweet eyes. When I walked in, she was scared. Tootsie hasn’t been socialized much, and she is initially afraid of anything new. She has already adjusted life in the TDL pack and grown comfortable, looking to Pink and Rosie for guidance at times when she is unsure.

Initially would not walk near me, she barked, paced, and ran away. Night one she only approached me when the whole pack was getting cookies and she took one nibble and ran. In the morning Gisele put her on a leash and I walked her around. She is still adjusting to wearing a leash but adapted well and after a few minutes she barely noticed it. I took her outside in the yard to give her an incentive to like the leash. I sat down in a chair and offered her treats to come closer, sometimes with small leash cues, sometimes on her own. No sudden movements, low gentle voice, even my words were slow. She needs calm energy, and to know what is happening. Then when she would put her paws on my thigh to get a treat, I slowly moved to the floor and set the treats further across my legs so she had to walk on me to get it.

I practiced putting an empty hand out, and holding a treat in the other so she would have to brush past my hand to get the food, initiating touch. We worked for probably 30 minutes, and it ended with her coming up with no leash tension and standing on my leg (hind legs on the ground). She would not let me touch her body bellow her head but would let me touch her ears. You have to move slowly, slowly, and let her see that you plan to touch her and where. Surprise will make her flee, and moving too fast will scare her. It is the unknown that sets off her anxiety.

We resumed later that day when I sat in Gisele’s spot on the couch. No cookies, but she did hop up and sit with me. She wants affection, she just needs to know she can trust, and that you will respect her. At one point I did move too quickly and scared her. I would expect a fearful dog to bite me, but she nose bopped me instead. I think this shows her desire to trust you. By the end of the evening she was sitting on my lap, getting a massage and if I patted my chest she would come closer and even kissed me. After just a day and a half and she was on my lap, giving kisses. It is possible but you must go slow and show her “I don’t want to hurt you, I want to cuddle and give you nice things.” She will accept.

The morning that I left Florida, I sat on the other couch and shared bits of my toast with the pack. Slowly, slowly Tootsie joined the fun, and when Rosie moved off of my lap she hopped up and curled up. The real gem of the day was when Gisele’s son Ryan came home. Tootsie had previously seemed to show more fear toward men than women. Not today. She allowed him to sit on the couch beside her, and slowly reach over and pet her. No sign of fear. Tootsie is learning bravery and trust, and is letting her amazing heart shine through.You may be wondering, why is all this worth it? Why would I want to deal with a skittish dog? What is the payoff? She is the payoff. You get Tootsie, a good girl who loves to cuddle and kiss. She is alert and will let you know if something is amiss in the house or outside. She is good with other dogs and would love to be your best little buddy. It doesn’t take long to build trust with her and she is worth every moment of it.