Ozzy

Pet location: Ozzy is currently living in a foster home. If you’d like to schedule a time to meet him, please contact Wayside Adoptions at (816) 986-4426.

My friends at Wayside say:

• I am from a puppy mill situation. I will likely need extra time to adjust to home life. I have lived with other dogs but have not socialized with people until recently. Things like walking on a leash and going through doorways can be challenging for me. Adopting me will be extremely rewarding, but I need time to learn.
• I am partially housebroken in my foster home.
• I get along well with other friendly dogs who prefer to coexist rather than play.

My home needs are:

• I must meet other dogs in the home before adoption to ensure that we can be buddies.
• Wayside recommends that I go to a home that already has another confident dog to help build my confidence
• I am easily startled by loud noises and fast movements, so my Wayside friends recommend that I meet any children in my new home who are younger than 10 years old.

Hi there, I’m Ozzy! I’m such a nice dog. I’m low maintenance, easy to care for, and even easier to love. I’ll try my best never to cause any trouble at all. That’s just how I roll. I’m a resilient little fella, ready to live a simple life of peaceful and carefree days. That’s not too much to ask, is it? Don’t we all deserve that?

I’m a darling, 5 1/2-year-old, 5-pound Yorkshire Terrier, with the sweetest little face, soft fur that will need regular grooming, and an easygoing, lovely personality. I’m already partially housebroken, and I am comfortable wearing a belly-band in the house when needed. Please stay patient with me as I settle in with you, though, because I’m likely to have occasional accidents. If you take me outside on a regular and frequent schedule, it will help to set me up for success as I learn. My first 5 years of life were spent as a puppy mill dog. I never had the chance to learn all the basic things that most dogs take for granted. It was a sad and lonely life full of neglect. Still, it was the only life I knew, so even getting rescued was scary and confusing. I had significant dental disease, and I lost all of my teeth. My mouth is healed now and I feel great, although my little tongue sticks out. I still enjoy my meals, too, and I don’t have any problem eating soft food. So life is good!

I’ve been so lucky to get to spend the last month or so in a loving foster home, learning all about life as a family dog. It has been incredible, but I realize this is just a temporary stop on my journey. And now, Foster Mom says that I’m ready to find my forever family! It’s scary and exciting at the same time. I’m not a needy or clingy sort of dog who requires constant attention. I like to follow Foster Mom around the house, but I’m content simply just knowing that she’s nearby. I’m not interested in playing or cuddling close, although sometimes I approach her for attention and gentle pets. I’m very well behaved in the house and I don’t bother a thing, even when no one is home, and I don’t even get up on the furniture. At night, I sleep on my dog bed in the bedroom. I’m wary when meeting new people or when visitors stop by, but I don’t run and hide. Instead, I get close while maintaining a safe distance. Once I’m comfortable with someone, I like to jump up to say hello. These days, I’m excited and happy to see Foster Mom when she gets home. She makes me feel special and loved. I’ve never felt that before.

I’m still getting used to life outside of the puppy mill, and I get startled and spooked often. Loud, strange noises, quick, unexpected movements, a windy day, new people or dogs.... these are all things that can be scary for me. Because of this, in addition to my small size, I will need to always be supervised when I’m outside, and I must be in a securely fenced area or on a leash at all times. This is very important to me. I enjoy going for leisurely walks with Foster Mom, and I’ve grown comfortable with our familiar 1-mile loop. I walk well on my leash using my harness. If I get startled during a walk, we stop to regroup until I’m comfortable to continue on.

I live with other small dogs in my foster home, and we get along just fine. I join in when they start barking. It makes me feel like part of the pack. We mostly coexist, and we don’t play together, but I do like to snuggle close to one of Foster Mom’s dogs, who I consider my best buddy. I would love to find a home with another friendly, calm dog to show me the ropes and to be my friend. I’ll need to meet them first, though, because I just like to hang out rather than play. I’ve never been around kids, so it’s recommended that you bring any children under the age of 10 to meet me before we go home together, to make sure that we’re a good match. I hope to find a quiet and calm home without a lot of commotion and with kind people who will understand my insecurities and love me as I am.

Life can be so unpredictable and crazy at times. I honestly never imagined getting out of the puppy mill. But now, thanks to so many kind people that I’ve met along the way, here I am, on the cusp of a brand-new life! I’m ready for my next chapter to begin, and I hope it will be with you!

Love, Ozzy