My name is Owen!

Updated Bio 04/16/14: Owen is a 1 year old, male Yorkie-Maltese mix, weighing 14.5 pounds.

Owen just moved! He is now being fostered in Clearwater, FL. His new foster mom thinks he is a mix between a dog (maybe Maltese and Yorkie) and a MUPPET! His floppy ears bounce like a cartoon when he trots around. It took a couple of hours to be sure about his new fur brothers, but then the play time began. A typical puppy, Owen has a lot of energy to run, tackle, chase and play. It is a very rare moment to catch Owen without a toy in his mouth. Toys are the BEST! If he can't find one of his own toys, a shoe, slipper, stick, leaf, marker, really anything on (or near) the ground, will work.

We are still getting to know more about Owen in his new home and will keep you updated as we learn all of his silly quirks. So far, we are definitely working on house training, but he has been watching his new foster fur brother so we are hopeful this will progress well. Owen is very friendly and playful. He is truly the perfect picture of a "dopey puppy". We caught him getting distracted while chasing down a toy and accidentally run into a wall a couple of times. He is such a GOOF! He does bark at noises outside, so he may not be the best dog for an apartment. He has so much energy that he may also really like a fenced in backyard to enjoy running more often than the occasional walk. He would LOVE to have another dog to play with in his home. Owen also needs someone who will be very attentive to his grooming needs. Getting his hair brushed and cut is not one of his favorite things but he has the prettiest silky white/tan hair that gets very matted very easily and attracts any stickers in the grass like a magnet. We are slowly getting him used to the brush every day so his hair can stay soft and gorgeous.

Along with having a yard to run around, Owen would like an energetic family who could play fetch and remain patient with his house training. Beware if you have and enjoy your carpeted floors. If you have another dog that needs some puppy company, Owen is your guy! At the end of his long days full of playing, he snuggles right next to your lap on the couch to wind down, then sleeps through the night at your feet in the bed. When morning comes, he is ready to be the first one finding all of yesterdays scattered toys. Are you ready for a sweet, loving, playful and CRAZY puppy to make you laugh everyday?

Updated BIO 02/11/2014:
Hi everyone! Meet Owen. Owen is a darling 11 month old pup who is 16 pounds and is being fostered in Clearwater, FL. Owen is living the good life at his foster home. Owen was surrendered to UYR as a Morkie (Maltese-Yorkie mix). This may not be quite accurate, as he is already MUCH larger than either breed, but he is a delightful bundle of pure white energy! From what we can tell, Owen spent the first eight months of his life in a crate with no human contact. When he first came here, he was startled by his own shadow, scared of the grass, and almost impossible to touch. He was so matted that the knots were tearing at his skin, and he had to be shaved completely down.

Fast forward to today... and Owen has blossomed into true puppy! He knows now that people are for loving, and he will run up to be picked up, cuddled, belly rubbed, and then he's on his way again. He has learned to play with toys- you will usually find him carrying SOMETHING- a toy, a stick, the occasional shoe- with him wherever he goes. And boy, does Owen go! He loves to run in the yard. He enjoys playing with his foster Yorkie brothers and sisters, and even the golden retriever that came to stay over the holidays. He is very dog social, and he seems to get along well with every puppy. Owen mostly ignores the cats, but once in a while he does bark at them.

Owen's house training is a work in progress. Because he was not properly cared for as a young puppy, he did not learn the very important early toileting skills from his mother. He is doing very well not soiling his crate so often, but he is still working on the concept of knowing to go outside, not in the kitchen. And to Owen, there is no difference between the pool deck, the living room tile, and the grass... He IS starting to bark to ask to go out, but he DOES mark his territory in the house if he is not watched at all times.

Owen is a very smart boy. His ideal home is with somebody who has enough time and patience to devote to him. He needs a consistent schedule of feeding, exercise, house training, and puppy obedience. Owen has boundless energy, and he needs an active family who can give him the proper exercise. Because he is just a puppy, he needs a lot of supervision to keep him safe. He's still in the chewing phase, so puppy proofing is a must. Owen would do well with older children, and he'd love a playful fur brother or sister to keep him company when his people are aren't available. A fenced yard is ideal, but Owen would love daily walks as well.

Owen is a special little guy who has come a log way in a short time. He's looking for his forever family to teach him how wonderful his life can be!

INITIAL BIO 11/12/2013: Meet Owen. Owen is a darling 8 month old Morkie who is 12.2 pounds and is being fostered in Davie, FL. He was one of 10 dogs surrendered by a backyard mill breeder. Kept in deplorable conditions, forced to eat food tainted with fecal matter, it's amazing Owen is as sweet (though understandably timid) as he is.
Owen is not housetrained, but FM is working on it. He is healthy and will be neutered within the week. Please stay tuned as we get to know him better.