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**We are a foster-based rescue with no facility for viewing. If interested in finding out more about a dog, you must fill out an application first at www.4luckydogs.org to start our process.***

Willow is a puppy approximately 5 months old. She is a chi-weenie which is a combination of a chihuahua and dachshund. Standing only 9 inches tall and 7 pounds makes her very quick and able to squeeze into small spaces.

Everything is “new” to Willow. After several days at her foster home Willow finally felt self-confident to venture around the house (previously she would only stay in her crate or in the family room area). She likes hanging around wherever humans are. Willow will be at your feet so watch out! You turn around and there she is ready to see what you are doing. Then when you least expect it, she may lick your feet to let you know she is there. Another surprise is she somewhat knows the “paw” command. She likes playing with her paws so will hold them out to you to join.

Willow then discovered that she likes toys. She is still figuring out what is her dog toy versus a sock in the laundry pile versus slippers that were left out. The good news is she listens to the corrections of what is “no” and likes praise when she chose an actual toy. Warning – Willow has a very short attention span. She is a typical puppy where she starts playing with one toy then suddenly sees a different toy or sees something else going on and forgets the toy she was playing with. It is very cute to watch how inquisitive she is.

The foster family found out that Willow’s favorite room in the house in the kitchen. She is so curious about what is being made there because loves food. She is short so cannot see much but her nose wiggles when she smells something so she knows she is in the right place. Her favorite laying place to be is perched at the top of the sofa so that she can see everything. With her tiny size she has learned this is how she can be part of family life. She also likes to cuddle whenever someone is sitting down and will give you that unexpected kiss to show she loves you.

The impression is that Willow must have been crated a lot because of her comfortableness being inside the crate to sleep and her need for security to have the crate around her at different times during the day. Even though she is free to roam her foster house she often chooses her crate. We recommend the adopter have a crate for Willow at the beginning to give her a familiar sleep area.

Willow is still learning how to walk on a leash. The foster family has discovered she really does not like walks. She is potty trained, so in the yard, she instantly goes to the bathroom but is too hesitant to do so on a walk. The consensus is Willow needs the freedom to go to the bathroom on her own because of the way she was previously raised. For that reason, we recommend a house with a fenced-in yard. If an adopter wants to walk Willow, he/she should be prepared to work with her on that activity because Willow will not be receptive to walks at the beginning.

The harness means that she is going to leave the security of her house to either go on a walk or car ride. The thought of that makes her very anxious so she runs away whenever someone tries to put on the harness (otherwise she always lets you pick her up). If you can get her into a car, then be prepared for her to become nervous because she is not sure where she is going and has had episodes of getting car sick from that anxiety. Willow is most happy inside a house – she is playful, wags her tail, greets everyone, lays contently, and is very loving. The foster family concluded it is best to let her stay inside where she is relaxed.

She is very tiny. For that reason, we do not think the adopter should have any young children. Willow is so easy to step on without being aware she is there. Also, would want to avoid anyone grabbing her unexpectedly since she is so little and skittish. We would prefer an adopter that really likes small dogs since she is unusually small and even gets scared when hearing big dogs barking outside.

Willow is very independent exploring the house on her own and deciding what toy she wants to play with on her own (and selects toy after toy after toy!).  She gets along with her foster dog sister, but Willow likes doing whatever she wants when she wants instead of following the sister dog around.  She wanders around the house making sure she knows every inch of where she lives to feel safe and to check if anyone dropped a sock or crumbs of food. Then when she is tired, she goes to the crate to sleep.

It is most important that an adopter realizes that Willow is not the type to go out on adventures. She is a homebody that needs the security of house to feel comfortable. We have learned that Willow would prefer to be left alone at home versus having her harness put on and leaving the house. Willow comes microchipped, spayed and up to date on all shots/vaccines. Her adoption fee is $300.