Abby (Reduced Rover)

Abby is a 6-7 year old, 16-pound Rat Terrier mix with a brilliant brain and a heart worth earning. She's a bit of a short novel – beautifully written, occasionally dog-eared, and absolutely worth reading cover to cover. Abby was confused and grieving when her owner had to move into a nursing home, and she found herself in a crowded rural shelter. That kind of upheaval leaves marks, and Abby carries hers honestly. But in her foster home, she is blossoming! She has learned leash manners, knows "sit" and "hush," and chases squirrels with gusto. With people she trusts, her whole body wiggles with sincere joy. However, Abby is not a decorative or purse dog, and she's not a dog you can just pick up and move. If startled or forced, she will snap – not out of meanness, but because something in her past taught her that sudden hands can be dangerous. Her boundaries are not flaws; they are the map to loving her well. She is improving with housetraining and uses pee pads overnight if needed. Her anxiety shows up as longing, not chaos. With the right person, Abby is magnificent, steadily, deeply, and genuinely becoming devoted, affectionate, and your little shadow who greets you with full-body wiggles and gratitude. Abby doesn't want the whole world; she just wants her person.

Ideal Home

Abby needs an experienced, kid-free home with a calm, stable environment. She needs a person who believes consent applies to dogs too, and someone who can offer patience, routine, and positive reinforcement. She would do best with someone who is home most of the day, as she struggles with long absences.

Ongoing Health

All known details about our animals are posted on their profile and updated daily. Other info will be discussed in detail with the foster during the application review process. The adoption fee for adult dogs covers age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, spay/neuter if not yet performed, heartworm test & appropriate heartworm treatment by the rescue's vet. All dogs in our care are also kept up-to-date on HW/Flea Prevention.

Training & Support

Abby has learned leash manners and knows "sit" and "hush." She is improving with housetraining and uses pee pads overnight if needed. She is not destructive; her anxiety shows up as longing, not chaos. She will snap if startled or forced, as she learned in her past that sudden hands can be dangerous. Patience, routine, and positive reinforcement are key to helping her thrive.

Application Details:

• Applications start by contacting us through Wags.
• The first step is to complete an application and read all of our FAQs: https://www.takepawsrescue.org/adopt
• Information to determine if you might be a match for one of our animals can only be found on our application. An inquiry, questions, or introduction through Petfinder is NOT an application.
• All known details about our animals are posted on their profile and updated daily. Other info will be discussed in detail with the foster during the application review process. Due to the high volume of introductions/questions received, we ask you to submit an application (that application can be used for any dog with Take Paws Rescue).
• For more on adoption fees, the adoption process, or additional information, please see our FAQs page: https://www.takepawsrescue.org/faq

Transportation

Abby is currently in a foster home. Transportation details can be discussed with the foster during the application review process.