Adopt a Miniature Pinscher (short coat)

Mama Mia is an adorable miniature pinscher or manchester terrier mix who is about 3 years old and weighs about 10 pounds. She has adjusted very well to her foster home where she gets along great with people and dogs alike. She was rescued with her baby in tow, living exclusively outside in profound neglect. Now that her mothering duties are finished, Mama is looking for her own forever home.

Mama loves to be with her people and do whatever they are doing. Want to take a ride in the car? Mama is the first one in line to get dressed and go. Shopping at Petco? Yay! Let's go! Lay on the couch and watch TV? She's right there beside you, and she's not picky about what's on. Harvesting cherry tomatoes in the garden? Sure, and please share!

Mama has done very well transitioning back to living inside and being a house dog. She knows the dog doors and goes in and out as she pleases. But she does come with a few special needs.

First, Mama has a case of severe dry eye which means a life-long daily maintenance of medicated drops and periodic visits to an ophthalmologist. Mama is doing very well on her current daily drop regimen and readily accepts her drops throughout the day. Although she was almost blind when she was rescued, she has made big improvements in reduction of scar tissue on her eyes resulting in improved vision. With dedicated maintenance of drops throughout the day, her vision should be stable at the level she's at.

Second, Mama has a few emotional scars that will need patience to overcome and may never completely overcome. Although we know how Mama was living when she was rescued (exclusively outside, very thin, almost blind with very infected eyes), we don't know all that happened to her to cause her to dislike the things she does. Mama hates bicycles and may have been taunted or abused by people or children on bicycles. Mama also loves to get dressed for walks, but once on a walk, she gets very hyper and nervous when she hears any noises she can't identify, like far-off voices, bicycles, skateboards, etc. and will yipe in nervousness. This may be both because she can't see things completely clearly but also because of bad experiences in her past of what voices meant when she was more blind. We hope she can overcome this with patience and practice as she trusts her people more and more.

Third, Mama is a little slow to warm up to people, but the key to her heart is through her stomach. Mama is very food motivated and will readily attach to the person who feeds her. Once she does, she is so loving and sweet, eager to please, not only for treats. With her foster moms, she is expressive, gentle, curious, sweet, and trusting, and she'll readily roll over for a belly rub. She's engaging and funny, energetic and laid-back at the same time with a tenacity that's endearing . She always gets a treat with her eye treatment and readily jumps in her foster mom's lap when it's time for eye drops.

Mama has not spent any time around children or cats since being rescued so it's not clear how she will adjust to a life that may include that. All people in her life should be counseled to be gentle and patient with her, and allow her to approach them when she is ready. Because of her sight deficits, all people (including her primary care taker) should take care to give her a courtesy warning of sound before reaching down to touch her, either by speaking to her and/or softly snapping fingers so she can hear that a hand is approaching.

Mama came from a life of nothing and doesn't ask for much, but would love a soft bed and her own blanket that she can wrap herself in like a little burrito, and a trusting, patient person or family that will welcome her special sweetness and allow her to continue to blossom. If you think you're that person/family, please fill out the application below.