* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, November 14th from 12PM - 3PM (unless adopted prior to the event). 3910 Middlefield Road All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption. Adoption fee: $650 Meet Sunny D: …
* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, November 14th from 12PM - 3PM (unless adopted prior to the event). 3910 Middlefield Road
All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.
Adoption fee: $650
Meet Sunny D: House Hippo Extraordinaire!
** Sunny is an option for Foster-to-Adopt! **
Sunny D is proof that some of the most rewarding dogs are the ones who simply need someone to believe in them. This beautiful 2 year old low-rider Pit Bull mix came to DPS from the shelter as a new mama with her tiny litter of puppies, and she immediately showed everyone what a devoted, loving mother she was. She cared for her babies wonderfully, and now that her puppies are grown, it's finally Sunny's turn to be spoiled, cherished, and loved like she deserves.
Over the past couple of months, Sunny has transformed in the most beautiful way. She has gone from a frightened mama who flinched at touch to a big-headed sweetheart who happily leans into your hands for affection. Watching her blossom has been incredibly special, and her future family will get to experience the joy of helping her continue to discover how wonderful being a dog can be.
A Day in the Life
Sunny is a wonderful mix of playful, relaxed, and affectionate. Her day starts around 7:00-8:00 a.m. when she wakes up quietly. She is crate-trained and sleeps through the night in her crate without a peep.
After a morning potty break, Sunny's favorite activity begins: ball time! She absolutely LOVES playing with a ball and would happily spend all day chasing one if she had the choice. She's still working on the "bring it back" part of fetch- often choosing to dramatically flop down wherever the ball lands- but she has endless enthusiasm for the chase.
After breakfast, Sunny settles into the kitchen while her foster starts the day. Around 10:00 a.m., she gets another round of ball play for about 30 minutes before happily crashing for a long nap.
Afternoons are a mix of more playtime, relaxing, and snuggles. Dinner is around 5:00 p.m., followed by either another ball session or simply hanging out with her favorite person before bedtime around 10:00 p.m.
Sunny enjoys having a routine, but she is also a wonderfully flexible dog who can happily adapt to her family's lifestyle. She mostly just wants to be included.
A Gentle Soul Learning to Love
Sunny's journey has been incredible to watch.
At first, affection was a little overwhelming. She wasn't used to being touched and would flinch when someone reached toward her. But with patience and kindness, she slowly realized that hands could bring love, not fear.
Now? Sunny absolutely loves attention.
She has the cutest little nervous tail wag when she wants to say hello, and she loves being talked to- even when she's feeling shy. She will press her big, chunky head into your hands for scratches and has recently discovered the joy of belly rubs.
Sunny is a dog who doesn't rush into relationships, but once she trusts you, she bonds deeply. She follows her foster from room to room, hangs out by her feet while she works, and loves lounging nearby. She also has an independent side and enjoys exploring the yard, relaxing in the sunshine, and finding cozy places to hang out. Sunny has shown that she will bond deeply with one individual - her person - and is generally not interested in the other humans in the home. She would be an ideal match for someone who lives alone and is looking for a ride-or-die best friend. She has no problem coexisting with other humans - she just mostly wants to be near her person.
Playful, Silly, and Full of Personality
Sunny has so many charming quirks that make her impossible not to love.
Her absolute favorite thing is her ball collection. She loves chasing balls, carrying them around, and proudly showing them off. She has already chewed through several, so sturdy rubber toys are a must!
She also enjoys plush toys occasionally and has a habit of collecting them all in her bed. She loves a good chew session and, after a few early lessons, she has done a wonderful job sticking to appropriate toys and bones.
Sunny is incredibly food motivated and loves treats, which makes training much easier. She is smart, learns quickly, and is always eager to figure out what you're asking of her. Of course, she also has a stubborn streak when she has her own ideas- because she is a Pit Bull, after all!
Some of Sunny's other adorable trademarks:
She "sploots" everywhere she goes.
She is the queen of dramatic sighs, especially when told ball time is over.
She loves sunbathing.
She hides her toys in her crate like little treasures.
Around Other Dogs
Sunny has shown that she can do well with other dogs when introductions are thoughtful and respectful.
While she may initially be unsure, she is polite and respectful of another dog's space. During a previous foster stay, she was curious about a playful puppy but gave appropriate corrections when needed. After a few days, they became comfortable together and even played.
She generally ignores unfamiliar dogs until she gets to know them and does not enjoy overly enthusiastic dogs getting right in her face. She recently attended a doggy playgroup and was understandably nervous at first, but after a while was ready to go trade sniffs with the other dogs.
Learning About the World
Sunny is still building confidence outside the home.
Walks are a work in progress because the outside world can still feel overwhelming. She may freeze and decide that standing perfectly still is the safest option. Her comfort zone has grown tremendously, though-she now enjoys her yard and driveway and continues to expand her little world at her own pace.
Sunny's future family should understand that she is not a dog who needs to immediately conquer every adventure. She needs someone who will patiently show her that the world is safe. The progress she has already made proves how much potential she has.
House Manners
Sunny has made wonderful progress with potty training. Once she learns a space, she does very well. She has even started taking herself outside when she needs to go.
Any accidents have been rare and typically happen on potty pads, especially when she is still adjusting to a new environment.
She is not a nuisance barker. She may alert to noises, but she settles easily. At one foster home, she even learned a tiny "whisper bark" for nighttime noises.
Sunny needs patience and gentleness but also needs boundaries. She is very new to being a dog and desperately wants to please but also doesn't know how. She is more confident when she has boundaries and guidance.
Her Perfect Home
Sunny is looking for a family who understands that trust takes time- but the reward is immeasurable.
She would thrive with someone patient and kind who will continue helping her build confidence and experience all the joys of being a dog. She would love a home that provides daily playtime, affection, and enrichment, whether that means games of fetch in the yard, cozy evenings on the couch, or simply being included in everyday life.
She doesn't need someone who expects a perfectly polished dog on day one. She needs someone who sees the amazing dog underneath the uncertainty and wants to be part of her continued transformation.
Why You'll Love Sunny D
Sunny is a truly special girl.
She went from a scared shelter mama focused only on keeping her puppies safe to a playful, affectionate, goofy dog discovering that life can be fun. She has so much love to give and so much personality waiting to come out.
Give her patience, and she will give you loyalty. Give her kindness, and she will give you trust. Give her a ball, and she will happily remind you that fetch can continue forever.
Sunny D is ready for her next chapter-and this time, she gets to be the one who is loved.
