Meet Prince Peewee.
Prince is approximately 4 years old and weighs 25 lbs. His exact breed is unknown. He is neutered, current on shots, and microchipped with a Trovan chip. He's not what you'd call a handsome dog but what he lacks in looks he makes up in character. Once you get to know him and his little quirks, you will find him a most endearing and utterly devoted dog.
Prince's History
Prince was rescued in a parking lot in Taiwan where many drivers come and go, but no one paid any attention to him as strays are an accepted way of life there. The rescuer found him hiding under a van. After questioning the neighbors, it was discovered that Prince once belonged to a senior veteran in Taiwan. When the veteran passed away in January 2006, there was no one left to take care of Prince so he joined the ranks of the millions of stray dogs there that roam the streets, looking for food in garbage dumps. Prince lived as a stray for over a year.
It was dark when the rescuer first found Prince so the rescuer did not realize the seriousness of Prince's situation until the next morning when he was going to start his car. Prince could hardly walk even a step. He was very slow and looked weak and on the verge of death. His body was missing most of its hair and there were open wounds everywhere. His belly was swollen and he emitted an odor so strong that flies followed him.
Prince was sent to the animal hospital. The vet gave Prince a thorough check-up and found that he had a terrible skin disease. Even worse, he was tested positive for heartworm and Ehrlichiosis (a tick-borne disease), lacking in nutrition, and badly dehydrated. Prince was in such bad shape that the vet suggested putting him down but his rescuers felt he deserved another chance in life and Prince began intensive treatment in April.
When Prince successfully completed his treatment, the Animal Rescue Team in Taiwan knew that he would have no hope in finding a loving home in Taiwan, where even healthier and prettier dogs are usually not valued as lifelong companions and are instead discarded all too often. So they generously funded his fligt to the Bay Area in the hopes that he would be able to start a new, happier life here.
Prince Today
Prince isn't a particularly attractive dog physically. He may have been at one time and he may yet be once again but his life on the streets has left its mark on his body. His hair has not fully grown back yet so there are several scars on his body that are still visible. Hiis nails are somewhat gnarled from not having been cut while he was a stray, and he has severe sores and blisters on his paws, elbows and leg joints from having to lay on the hard concrete ground for such an extended period. Despite it all, or perhaps partly because of it, I have found Prince to be a very endearing albeit somewhat goofy-looking little fellow.
It's hard for me to imagine a more loyal dog than Prince. Because I am the one who spends the most time with him, I am the one that he has bonded most to. He literally follows me everywhere, always wanting to stay by my side. While Prince is well socialized to people and does quite well with strangers, I am the one he seeks out, the one whose return he waits for. He is not pushy for attention at all, however. Whether I am working at my desk, sitting in the living room watching TV, or laying in bed, Prince can always be found contentedly laying on the floor nearby. Even when I briefly step outside to get the mail or take out the trash, Prince is right there walking beside me. The only room he doesn't follow me into is the bathroom, and really, who could blame him?
Prince is extremely mellow and undemanding, and he really does not ask for much. He loves food, chews on his toys occassionally, but mostly as long as I'm with him, he's quite content. Prince doesn't jump on furniture (probably because his stubby legs won't get him there), has very good house manners, is not destructive, and does not need a ton of exercise. A sedate walk around the block would do just fine for him, so long as he's with you. He rides well in the car and is absolutely wonderful on-leash. He's fantastic off-leash as well because again, he just wants to stay by your side.
Prince is fine with other dogs in the household but he doesn't really interact with them much, and at this point, I'm inclined to say that it would be no hardship for him to be an only dog. Prince is cratetrained and is crated when nobody is home as well as at night. He does have a tendency to mark in the beginning so he should be watched closely for the first few days, but now that he's gotten used to the smells of the house, he appears to be mostly housetrained (I say mostly because he did have 1 accident).
One of Prince's quirks is that he can be quite a talker, especially during the first few days. He is NOT an excessive barker and generally does not bark at strange sounds like many other dogs do. Rather, he grunts, growls, whines, groans, and he does bark, but it's more as if he's just talking and expressing his feelings. He is most vocal when I let him out of his crate--he barks and grunts in enthusiasm and excitement for about 30 seconds, as if to say, "Yay! Now I get to hang out with you again! Woohoo!"
Prince has been through a lot in his life, with one traumatic experience after the other. The scars on his body are a testament to the hard life he's had to endure while living on the streets. Understandably, it will take him a while to get comfortable enough with a person to allow them certain liberties. He doesn't like to be lifted. Having known starvation, he will growl if you try to take his food away from him while he's eating. But all in all, Prince is a very gentle guy who just wants to share his life with you.
Prince is very simple in his needs. A quiet life with a caring guardian, regular meals, a nice stroll outside, maybe a chew toy. He's really very undemanding. Prince doesn't need to be spoiled--nothing in the world (other than food) makes him happier than to simply be by your side. He would be ideal for a retired person or just someone who would like a laid-back, low maintenance, loving companion. He's had a very rough time of it and deserves a person who will help him to remember what it feels like to belong. All he wants is someone to share his slow-paced, quiet days with. In return, he will be your steadfast companion, willingly giving you his utter devotion and love.
If you are interested in meeting Prince, please email your completed Adoption Application. We do request a $200 tax-deductible donation to help cover a portion of each dog's medical and transport expenses. A homecheck will also be required because we do want to be sure that each dog goes to an environment suited to them.
Prince is an underdog who definitely needs a champion rooting for him. He is so unassuming yet so sweet and loyal that he will quickly grunt, growl, and bark his way into your heart while waddling close beside you for the rest of his days.
