Buttercup

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
Buttercup is a 3 year old Maltese mix weighing just 7 pounds, with a soft, non-shedding coat and an irresistible mix of sweetness and spunk. She was rescued from a shelter and has settled beautifully into foster life, showing herself to be an easy, affectionate little companion who loves the simple pleasures in life: walks, food, and being near her person.

Buttercup starts her day around 6am on weekdays (a bit later on weekends) and is immediately ready for her favorite activity- a morning walk. She truly loves being outside, happily trotting along and taking in the world before heading home for breakfast, which she also takes very seriously. A couple hours later, she goes out again for a potty break before her foster heads to work. During the day, Buttercup relaxes in the bedroom and settles quickly. She does not bark while home alone and is a calm, respectful housemate. When her foster returns in the late afternoon, Buttercup makes sure her joy is known, greeting them with excited squeals before heading out for a longer walk. Evenings are spent running errands together, enjoying dinner, and winding down with cuddle time before Buttercup curls up on the bed to sleep through the night.

At home, Buttercup is wonderfully chill. She likes being close to her person but isn't demanding or clingy. She's content to lounge nearby, occasionally rolling over for a belly rub, and generally makes herself very easy to live with. She doesn't care much for toys, but when she gets excited- usually for walks or treats- she does the cutest little spins that are impossible not to smile at. She's calm, affectionate, and has a very soothing presence indoors.

Outside the house, Buttercup flips into her second mode: alert, enthusiastic, and highly engaged with the world. She absolutely loves walks and has more stamina than you might expect from such a small dog. She walks with purpose, pulls forward with determination, and has a funny little gait that adds to her charm. She wants to smell everything and takes her neighborhood patrol very seriously.

Buttercup is reliably potty trained and clearly understands that outside is where she should go. She holds her potty overnight without issue. During workdays, pee pads are left out in the bedroom, and she will occasionally use them while her foster is away, which is understandable given her small size and long stretches between outings. On weekends, when outside breaks are more frequent, she does not use the pads at all.

She is very food- and treat-motivated, which will make continued training much easier. She learned how to use the stairs to get onto the bed immediately and is a smart little dog who picks things up quickly.

Now for the honest parts that future adopters should know: Buttercup can become overstimulated in busy environments. While she enjoys being out and about, she can be reactive to certain triggers, especially large dogs, fast-moving bikes, skateboarders, joggers, or dogs that get too close too quickly. She tends to do much better around smaller dogs and is often more tolerant when carried in a sling rather than walking on the ground. Large dogs, particularly German Shepherd-type dogs, are especially challenging for her.

Buttercup can also be inconsistent when meeting new people. Sometimes she happily rolls over for belly rubs; other times she may growl or snap as a warning. This behavior seems to increase when she is overstimulated, and her triggers aren't always predictable- it can happen with both men and women and in different environments. She is not aggressive, but she does communicate when she's uncomfortable and will need adopters who respect her boundaries, read her signals, and allow her to approach new situations at her own pace.

Because of this, Buttercup would do best in a calm, adult-only home or one with older, respectful children who understand how to interact gently with a small dog. A quieter environment with structured walks and continued leash training would help her thrive.

Buttercup is a loving, quirky little dog with a big personality packed into a tiny body. She's an energetic walking buddy, a peaceful housemate, and a loyal companion who will happily curl up beside you at the end of the day. With the right home- one that appreciates both her sweetness and her sensitivity- Buttercup will be an incredibly rewarding addition to the family.