Does your day need more smiles in it? More giddy love? More silly, playful joy? Then you need to meet Chewy.

Chewy is somewhere between 6 and 10 years old, but somehow, he's a puppy and a reliable adult all in one. He has the soft coat, curiosity, playfulness, and silliness of a young pup, plus the quiet home manners of a calmer old man. Best of both worlds, for sure.

Chewy is crate trained, quiet at home, has a great start on housebreaking, and is learning how to get harnessed up and use a leash. That said, Chewy may never be the kind of little dog who enjoys errands, trips, busy outings, or neighborhood walks. He is happiest and most confident in the safety of a familiar home, and his ideal adopter will love him for who he is-not for who they hoped a small dog might be.

Chewy came from a hoarding situation where he spent far too much time confined, so he's still learning how to be a pet. Normal household things like water bowls, glass doors, mirrors, stairs, new rooms, and new sounds are still new to him. But he's learning, he's trying, and he's having fun along the way.

Chewy is instantly pretty friendly with people who greet him slowly, but it takes him a few days or weeks to fully believe that new sounds, new spaces, and new routines are safe. He does best when new things are introduced one at a time. Once he feels safe, he turns into an affection-seeking, back-scratch-loving, backyard-playing enthusiast.

You might be the right home for Chewy if you:

Want a dog who stays mostly at home

Have a small quiet room with easy-to-clean floors that he can use as his safe space while he adjusts (a bathroom with a baby gate would be perfect)

Have a fully enclosed yard that is safe for a small dog, with no pool

Understand that he'll need a few weeks before he can let his hair down in new surroundings

Are willing to continue helping him with housebreaking on a regular schedule

Like snuggles, back scratches, and little belly flops into your lap

Enjoy playing with plushies

Want to see a small dog dive-bomb the turf, roll onto his back, and kick his feet in the air with pure joy every day

For the right person with a little patience, Chewy is going to blossom into one of those once-in-a-lifetime dogs. And as long as you're willing to go slowly while he gets used to his new life, Chewy is honestly pretty easy to care for. The hard part will be giving him the alone time he needs because it
'
s just so tempting to shower him with affection and love!

He could do well in a smaller living space, as long as he has access to a secure yard. He'd also likely do well with someone who works outside the home, since he is quiet and used to spending time on his own. He's good with other dogs. Cats are unknown. Because of his small size and his need for gentle handling, older children only.

Chewy still needs a medical checkup and dental before he can be officially adopted, but we are accepting applications and doing meet-and-greets now Put in an application to learn more about Chewy today at www.tucsoncoldwetnoses.com

Chewy is adoptable to homes in Tucson, Phoenix, Marana, Catalina and Oro Valley only. His adoption fee is $275, with an additional $21 for licensing.