Millie 7

---

Original: “For those times when she’s overly excited, belly rubs are the answer for calming – they’re her absolute FAVE!”

How magical to hear, see and smell this glorious world thru the ears, eyes and nose of a puppy!  Where do these falling leaves come from?  Don’t know, don’t care but what F U N to chase and jump into a pile of ’em! And those birds overhead, especially the ones with huge wings . . . love to chase ’em . . . gotta catch one!  And squirrels all over!  Think I’ll catch one for my foster mom.  And those gigantic dogs, some with horns on their heads?  Best are all the scents, especially the really stinky ones that my foster mom yells at me to never roll in — ha!!  Life is so grand!!

Such is the curiosity and thought process of petite Miss Millie who, thru no fault of her own, was relinquished by her owner to an animal shelter in Virginia.  The owner purchased her from a pet store.  Unfortunately, during Millie’s two-month ownership, she was left alone for 10 hours a day.   Compounding this was that her owner was also experiencing a difficult medical issue, resulting in various hospital stays.  Realizing this was unfair to Millie, the owner relinquished her to the shelter.

Millie is a very petite ESS female.  While she’ll likely gain a bit more weight, it’s doubtful she’ll grow much bigger, instead remaining the elfin and cuddly cutie that she is. She’s currently at that funny stage where her head looks too big for her body, which makes her even more adorable.  Though petite, she is mighty in speed, energy, curiosity, and cuddliness. 

Millie shares her foster home with six other MAESSR dogs — a 13-year-old permanent foster plus five resident pups ranging in age from 18 months to eight years.  Upon her arrival, and clearly thinking she’d won the jackpot, she eagerly bounded off to meet her new furry family, then zoomed off to explore her large fenced-in yard.  She and the youngest resident pup quickly became BZBs – Best Zoomie Buddies – both outside and all around the inside over, on top of, and under the furniture.  She’s slowly learning what is and isn’t allowed.

Millie came to MAESSR very well socialized – no one or thing is a stranger.  On the flip side, it’s apparent she’s never been trained in any commands, house manners, and housetraining.  These are all works in progress and, given Millie’s currently short attention span and zealous curiosity, will be for a while.  Millie has two speeds – non-stop-on-the-go-gotta-play-&-explore and pooped out puppy.  Her first few days with MAESSR were the normal getting-used-to-a-new-environment.  Then her internal lightbulb clicked on – this place needs rugs rearranged!  No matter the size – large kitchen, hallway runners, floor mats – several were each dragged somewhere new, with some getting balled up and bunched together for more comfy floor lounging (24 paws up from the resident dogs!)  In the process of demonstrating her redecorating talents, she discovered floor vents.  And what a game it’s become – pouncing on them when the air is on, lying atop them with her ears being blown back, and trying to catch the dog hair and dust bits flying in the air (c’mon, what ESS home doesn’t have dog hair?!?)  She runs from room to room, vent to vent entertaining her wonderment and her foster mom. 

Though too petite for true counter-surfing – her nose is just barely able to reach the top edge of the countertop – that didn’t stop her tongue from deftly yanking off a slice of turkey and a few bites of a sandwich.  Where there’s a will there’s a way.   As with most things, crate training is a work in progress.  Getting her in the crate for car rides is challenging; however, once in, she behaves very well either sleeping or watching the world go by.  In-house crating is a whole other ballgame.  Millie loves being with her new pack.  Much to her delight and petiteness, she nuzzles in perfectly with her siblings on her foster mom’s bed for these long winter nights.

Although she loves playing with her resident siblings, Millie is excellent at keeping herself entertained, especially when outside.  It’s when she’s quiet, especially inside, that gives her foster mom cause to pause.  She’s just now discovering balls and stuffed toys, and loves chewing on lumabones or similar.  She is at the same time fascinating and hysterical to watch when outside where she’s either tracking birds in flight or is nose to the ground on scent.  When the former, it’s not unusual for her to stand and/or walk several paces on her hind legs following the birds; other times when chasing them she’ll not so much spring but fly like a deer after them.  Then there are times while running when her inner goat appears, and she’ll jump straight up with all four in the air.  When nose to the ground, it’s as if she sees straight through into the soil beneath, then pounces back and forth like a cat at all the burrowing-crawling-slithering activity of life below.  This is when her nub of a tail is in constant rapid-fire motion, so much so that not only her tush but hind legs as well vibrate with excitement.  Oh, to be so fascinated by life and in love with it all! 

Millie is a highly intelligent pup who shows amazing potential.  She’s also very food motivated, taking treats gently.  As she adjusts to her new freedom and life, which now seems to occur daily, she’ll be easier and more responsive to training.  For those times when she’s overly excited, belly rubs are the answer for calming – they’re her absolute FAVE!  It’s important that Millie’s adopting human(s) continue her training and maintain a structured activity level.  If otherwise, it’s a good bet she’ll not only redecorate area rugs but the whole house and possibly yard.  It will also be required that she have a sturdy fenced-in yard – no e-fence.  Milly also has all the curiosity and agility to possibly – and easily – jump a four-foot fence.  

Potential adopters should note that MAESSR only places puppies in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience, and they do chew on things!  The decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment. To reinforce this commitment, MAESSR requires all adopters of dogs one year old and under to enroll their puppy in obedience classes within 60 days of adoption. Millie will no doubt be a star pupil! 

Millie will thrive in a very active – but not chaotic – household, where she will be mentally and physically challenged daily.  The company of another friendly and active dog would be a huge bonus.  She’ll make a great hiking buddy and the perfect partner for running (once her bones/joints mature around two years old.)  She’s a natural for tracking and nose work along with any other challenging activities.  The best part is that when this puppy poops out, she’ll be your super snuggly cuddle buddy.  What could be better?