Lupin

This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, February 7th from 12-3pm unless adopted prior to the event. To be considered for adoption, pls submit an application in advance.
Adoption fee: $750
Lupin is a 9-10 month old, 13 lb Mini Schnauzer mix who came to DPS from a shelter after being found as a stray. When he arrived, it was clear he'd had a rough start- his coat was patchy from neglect, likely tied to malnutrition and fleas. With good food and care, his coat is already growing back in and is on its way to being healthy and beautiful, just like the dog underneath it.

Lupin is a busy little guy who wakes up each day ready to tackle a full agenda. He typically starts his mornings around 7am with a potty break, followed by a thorough inspection of every room and every person in the house to make sure he knows exactly what's going on. He's often too excited to eat breakfast right away, but once his rounds are complete, he happily settles in to eat. From there, his day is a mix of playtime, exploration, and rearranging the house to his liking- any small mat, rug, or dog bed may mysteriously relocate from one room to another until Lupin deems the décor acceptable.

While morning walks aren't part of his current routine, that would be an ideal outlet for his early-day energy. By late morning, once the sun is warm, Lupin can usually be found stretched out on a patio chair, soaking up the sunshine. He absolutely loves being outdoors and will happily spend hours sunbathing, coming and going as he pleases. Throughout the day, he rotates between playing with toys, chasing the resident dogs, lounging outside, and snoozing indoors. He eats dinner around 5pm, starts to wind down by about 8pm, and goes to bed in his crate around 10pm, where he sleeps soundly through the night.

Personality-wise, Lupin has blossomed beautifully. In only a couple days, he transformed into a confident, self-assured house dog who knows what he wants and how to get it. He enjoys giving lots of kisses and is very friendly with people, but he's also independent and perfectly happy exploring or playing on his own. He's affectionate without being clingy and enjoys companionship without needing constant attention.

Lupin lives with two resident dogs- one large and one medium- and has done wonderfully with them. At first, he was polite and gave them space, but now that he's comfortable, he loves playing chase and engaging in tug-of-war with toys. He's also met other small dogs and confidently greets them. He hasn't been tested with cats. Lupin lives with two children, ages 9 and 11, and has been fantastic with them. He loves kids and is friendly with new people who come into the home.

He is playful and medium energy, with a nice balance of independence. He enjoys playtime but is not hyper or overwhelming, and he's never bouncing off the walls or demanding constant activity. On walks, Lupin is easygoing-he doesn't pull and prefers to take his time sniffing and investigating everything along the way. Walks tend to be slow and curious rather than fast-paced, and he's attentive to other dogs without barking at them.

Lupin is fully housetrained and learned incredibly quickly. He was housetrained in about a day and figured out the dog door within a few days. He now lets himself in and out as needed for potty breaks and sunbathing sessions. Before mastering the dog door, he clearly communicated his needs by standing at the patio door or ringing bells attached to the handles. He is crate trained at night but does not require a crate or pen during the day. If introduced to a brand-new area of the house, he may have an accident at first, but gentle redirection works well and he learns fast.

Like many puppies, Lupin does enjoy chewing, especially on items left within reach. Shoes and socks are particular favorites, though he has not chewed furniture or larger household items. Redirection with toys works well, and his chewing appears to be typical puppy behavior, possibly mixed with lingering teething. He does not dig in the yard and is not an excessive barker- he may bark briefly if something catches his attention or if the other dogs bark, but overall he's fairly quiet.

What sets Lupin apart is his independence paired with his sweetness. He's easy to live with, comfortable being left alone for reasonable periods, great with other dogs and kids, and happy to do his own thing. Lupin is a charming, resilient little dog who's ready to enjoy the good life he's always deserved.