COOKIE

*ADOPTED 5/4/12*
NEW!! Click “View my page” to read about Cookie’s day out!
Click here to watch Cookie on YouTube!
COOKIE is a 5+ year old Chihuahua who’s sweet, friendly and a little worried in her new surroundings, but she always tries her best. She loves to be held and cuddled, and is very interested in food treats (which will be a big help with settling and confidence-building).
Cookie will do well in a kind, calm home where she can be the only dog.

Cookie was recently lucky enough to spend a happy day with one of our wonderful volunteers – here’s her report:

Cookie is worried at the shelter.  That evaporated when we settled in at home.  We had quite a relaxed and happy day together!

She rode well in the car.  Once we got home, I carried her around the yard the first time to let her get the lay of the land.  Then she was ready to start exploring and sniffing around on her own — ears up, tail up, looking good.

It took a little while, and a few hot dog slices, for her to warm up to me, and about an hour or so before she felt secure enough to show me more of her personality.  I found her very endearing, engaged, attentive, expressive, and communicative — all without vocalization.

Since she likes hot dogs so much, she was very easy to train.  We focused on new activities where she could experience success — hula hoop jump, going through a tunnel, and walking on an elevated boardwalk.  You can see on the video how well she did!  She also seems to know that one way to get hot dogs is to ‘sit’.

So while she is happy to be held, petted, and taken care of, Cookie is also capable of standing on her own four feet, literally and figuratively : )

Cookie was delighted to come in the house.  And her house manners were perfect.  She had a good sniff around to check things out, and was always respectful of my things.  All toileting outside — she even ‘asked’ me to take her outside when she needed to go, by running over to me, making eye contact, and running back to the door.   

The first time she had to wait alone behind a baby gate, I heard a little whining (the only sound I heard her make all day); after that, when she understood that coming and going was part of our routine, she took it in stride.  She did a little silent begging while I ate lunch (all with her eyes!), and while I was secretly glad that she felt relaxed enough to express a wish, I  ignored it, she gave up and lay down nearby.  She’s such a sensitive dog, and wants so much to please, that her humans need to offer positive, gentle guidance only.

Other things that Cookie seemed to really enjoy: basking in the sun (while I basked in the shade nearby); draping herself over my lap and getting a gentle massage; looking out the storm door to see what was going on in the neighborhood (sometimes up by the door on her own, sometimes stationed by my foot). 

She seemed to me equally happy whether she was on my lap, on the floor next to me, or across the room — the upshot being that while she seemed to like touch and connection, she didn’t strike me as clingy or needy that way.

My overall impression is that Cookie is a ready-to-go pet who will blossom in a kind, low-stress home!