Name: Daffy
Age: 4/29/2011
Gender: Male
Breed: Maltese
Weight: 5 lbs
Dog friendly: Yes, needs a canine companion
Cat friendly: Yes
Kid friendly: Yes, but prefer a home without full time small kids. 
House trained: No
Crate trained: TBD
Energy level: Moderate
History: Breeder release from Missouri
Adoption Fee: $350

From the Foster:

Daffy's is the type of dog whose story breaks your heart in the ASPCA commercials. When you see those puppy mill videos with stacks of  little cages with sick and filthy dogs sitting in their own excrement, this was his life. Probably since he was a young puppy. He lived in that cage for 5 years, the only human touch he ever knew was for being shaved down or perhaps being removed from his cage for the occasional cleaning. I will be honest, I have taken a lot of puppy mill dogs. I have actually taken quite a few dogs that have come from the same breeder, and have had great experiences with them, so I can only assume that he was purchased as an adult breeder from somewhere much worse because his fearfulness came as a huge surprise when he arrived.

I have had him for a few months now, and all I can say is, I see a light in this dog. He will NEVER be an outgoing dog with humans. He may never come running up to his person with his tail wagging, because he may never let go of his fear of humans. But there are times, I see it. He wags his tail, he PLAYS with my dogs. He has the cutest, tiny little bark. He discovers new things (he LOVES butcher shop bones!) But he runs when I approach him, and will cry out if I move too fast to touch him. But it COULD happen. I have seen it happen in the right situation. 

HOWEVER, he is the gentlest boy. He would never bite. He will curl up in my lap for hours once I pick him up. I think he would butt right up to me and sleep in my bed all night (but fosters aren't allowed in our bed!) He is good for baths and haircuts (and he is SO fun to groom with all of that fluff he can grow!) and he will take treats so gently. He is a purebred Maltese, and sheds very minimally, and may be 'hypoallergenic' for some people, but this is ALWAYS a case by case situation so if allergies are a concern, you will need to meet him in person for sure.

Daffy loves other dogs, and will need one to be his most confident self in his forever home, preferably one under 20 pounds because he's about the weight of a cloud (he's gained weight, he's now a healthy 5 pounds!) but he is good with a playful dog or a laid back dog. He loves to snuggle and loves to follow. He does mark things, and will likely always need to wear a belly band, but that may change with consistent potty training. This has been difficult at my home as we do NOT have a fence (he will need one) and he won't use a leash (this will likely never get better) as I'm standing next to him and that is just the scariest thing for him. 

Daffy is fine with my kids, he will scurry away if they are too boisterous around him, but he will sit quietly in their laps and enjoy ear scratches. He LOVES my dog pocket sweatshirt, and would sit in there all day long. 

If you have faith, and a lot of patience and understanding, and know that dogs like this deserve just as much love and affection as the outgoing ones, I would love to discuss him further with you!