Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Meet Toby! This sweet boy’s journey began when his family surrendered him to a rural county shelter in poor condition. He needed more TLC than the shelter could give. Toby came to us with a double ear infection, an eye infection, and a secondary skin infection caused by scratching — conditions that could have been easily addressed with basic veterinary care. We also discovered that Toby likely has idiopathic epilepsy, which is typically genetic without an identifiable cause, but fortunately for him is also highly treatable. He has no structural or other neurological abnormalities and is a healthy dog who takes daily meds to keep seizures at bay. Toby has not had a seizure while on meds and lives a completely normal, full life. Toby has made an incredible transformation over the past 6 weeks, now thriving as the sassy, confident little pup he was always meant to be. He is currently being fostered in a home with a mom, a teen son, two other dogs, and a cat. He had an easy introduction to his new pack and gets along well with the other dogs, while mostly ignoring the cat. Occasionally, Toby will bark at the other pets to get their attention or coax them into playtime. Now that he’s feeling better, he genuinely seems to enjoy playing and interacting with the other dogs. Inside the home, Toby has a moderate energy level. He’s crate-trained and will often choose to nap in his crate when the door is left open. He’s doing well with potty training but benefits from regular and consistent potty breaks. While Toby willingly goes outside when encouraged by his foster mom, he hasn’t yet learned how to alert someone when he needs to go out—so being proactive is key. We checked in with his foster mom for an update: “Toby is generally a very good boy and the sweetest little guy. He’s a lover, not a fighter. He’s pretty chill and loving, and he seems relatively confident and comfortable with people. He enjoys having the other dogs around but would probably do well with or without a dog buddy in his home. He’s curious about my cat but doesn’t chase her. He’ll walk up and try to sniff her, which usually ends with a hiss, so he just walks away. He’s completely fine with cats in the house. Inside, he’s mostly low-energy until he gets random bursts of playfulness. He’ll gallop around the house, play a good game of tug with me, have a snack, and then head back to his cozy bed for a nap. He’s still working on his leash skills—he’d rather sniff than walk—and with the cold weather we’ve had, he’s not a fan. He goes out for potty and wants to come right back in. He’s an excellent snuggler! When I put him on my lap (like right now as I’m typing), he stays and loves the cuddle time. At night, if I’m watching TV, I’ll put him with me, and he falls fast asleep. That’s how he got his nickname, 'Toby Burrito,' when I wrap him in a blanket. I think he’d be a good family pup, but maybe for kids over 7 years old. Little kids might want to pick him up, which he’s not totally comfortable with—he just gets tense, not nippy. I think he’s best matched with a more laid-back home environment.” ****** We think Toby could be a mix of a Chihuahua and Pug with his curly tail. We know he’s adorable and loves to snuggle. He’s adaptable and will be fine as an only dog or with a buddy. Cats are fine too! Apply today! BREED ESTIMATE: Chihuahua/Pug Mix GENDER: Male APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 17 lbs APPROXIMATE AGE: ~ 2 years old COAT TYPE: short coat ADOPTION FEE: $425 OTHER INFO: utd on shots/neutered/microchipped LOCATION: Arlington, VA FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application. You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application. Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area. January 17, 2025, 7:53 pm
