My name is Jessie and Junie!

Jessie and Junie are two strongly bonded Pomeranians who came into rescue from a shelter after being picked up as strays. They may be a mother-daughter pair, but that is not known for certain. They will need to be adopted together.

Dog’s Names: Jessie (brown and white) and Junie (black and merle)

Breed: Pomeranian 

Weight: About 11 pounds each

Gender: Both female

Spayed/neutered: Yes

Age: Unknown. Best guess about Jessie was 8 years. Junie behaves and looks like a younger (adult) dog

Reason for Intake: Found as strays

Medical (shots, etc.):

Good with dogs: They are indifferent to the small dog they are living with, occasionally sniffing him, but generally ignoring him. No aggression or worrisome behaviour 

Good with cats: Unknown, but they seem unlikely to have a problem

Guarding issues: None

Ever bitten a human: No

Ever bitten a dog: No

Behavioural issues: These are sweet-tempered dogs who are more frightened than anything else. They are hand shy and flee at sudden hand movements. But they have no aggression at all, mingle without issue with the resident dog, and are curious if shy with strangers. They have been making progress in foster care

Housetrained: Jessie is inclined to use pee pads provided, but is not always consistent. Junie is as likely to pee on the floor, even with an available pee pad in a confined space, or on the nearest carpet if given an opportunity. Junie will use the pee pads, but it’s as much by accident as design.  Housetraining is a work in progress 

Crate trained: No.

Destructive when left alone: They have been kept in a limited space when alone without access to much they could destroy. They gnawed on the baseboards a bit, but didn’t pursue it when the baseboards were covered. They have chewed blankets and towels, pulled stuffing out of dog beds, shredded disposable pee pads, and pulled stuffing out of toys.  Junie seeks out shoes and both of them will chew shoes if given an opportunity.  Toys and appropriate chewables are offered and some get their attention, while others don't 

Barks when left alone: No. Jessie barks when I come in and when there is food in the offing. Junie has only barked or whined when separated from Jessie.

Leash skills: Non-existent. I have put a harness on Jessie and taken her in the yard, but she stands frozen. I have not attempted to put a harness on Junie.

Handling issues: Both Jessie and Junie scramble when they think you are going to pick them up. But once you have picked Jessie up, she freezes. She was good in a carrier going to the vet’s, and was easily handled by the vet for an examination, including of her eyes. It was also possible for the vet tech to trim her nails.   Junie is harder to catch and pick up as she gets frantic, yipping and scratching. But both dogs permit handling of their heads and it is easy to examine their teeth.

Known commands: They appear to know their names and look up alertly, sometimes coming when called. But otherwise, none.

Food on now: Pro-Plan Small Breed Chicken and Rice dry kibble; and Pro-Plan Complete Essential Turkey and Vegetable Entrée, wet food.

Both dogs love carrot sticks, cantaloupe, chicken, and peanut-butter Kongs, as well as Dentastyx chews. They are happy to eat anything as a treat.

Medical issues: Both seem in very good health. Jessie had an infection-post spaying that cleared up quickly. She also had blocked tear ducts that cleared up after a week of drops. Otherwise, they are in perfect health.

Personality, likes/dislikes: These are very sweet dogs who have not shown any aggression in any circumstances at all.

Junie is curious and likes to explore, but will run like the wind at any sudden sound or movement. She readily takes food from anyone’s hand, but then scampers off. She allows examination of her teeth and holding of her head. She is also very playful and puppy-like with Jessie. Junie will follow Jessie’s lead – if Jessie is allowing someone to pet her, Junie will very slowly come out to be petted, too. She seems to like the attention, but is very wary of people. Sometimes she stands and enjoys the petting, and at other times she plasters herself against a wall and looks away while being petted. She is more dependent on Jessie. She is visibly upset when Jessie is picked up and panics when separated from Jessie even when only a room away. Junie also gets frantic if you make an effort to pick her up, making every effort to get away. I have not pushed this with her.

Jessie is friendly, if wary. Once she got settled, she started welcome barking and wagging her tail whenever she seems me. She is still hand shy, but much less so than when she arrived. She enjoys being petted and will stretch out fully with her legs out behind her and sometimes roll over for a belly rub. She runs to greet visitors and usually will permit petting, although she also retreats quickly. She still startles easily, but she also recovers quickly. Jessie is protective of Junie, but not aggressively so. If you try to pet Junie, Jessie will sometimes insert herself in between. Jessie can be picked up and held, but she is uncomfortable with that, holding herself very stiffly and glad to get down again. But she doesn’t hold grudges and will come right back for pets.

Best home scenario: Jessie and Junie would probably do best in a quiet home without children and with a person experienced with traumatized and/or puppy mill dogs who has time to spend with them. They are significant flight risks and also need a secured fenced outside space – perhaps a small yard or a small area within a yard, until they are used to the area. They also respond well to a routine. At bed time, they go to bed (although sometimes they play a bit together), and they are quiet through the night until you get up in the morning.