Winston is a smooshy, sweet, hypersensitive guy who is looking to make a connection with his person or people. This big boy is always attending - shadowing close, checking in to see if he's doing the right thing, and reaching out with a kiss to say "Hi, I'm here." His life hasn't always been stable or safe, and he cannot wait to find a loving home he can call his own.

In many ways, Winston is easy: completely house trained, calm in his crate, agreeable with other dogs large and small, great in the car, playful at the dog park. He loves the human kid at his foster home. He walks beautifully on a leash. He does prefer if there aren't sudden loud noises or large movements because these can sometimes scare him and cause him to shrink, though he recovers quickly and is getting more comfortable with each passing day. Winston is up for most any adventure, so long as he gets to hang out near his people.

Winston is looking for a very special kind of family. His ideal people will be experienced dog owners who are patient, thoughtful and willing to continue helping him build confidence and learn how to navigate the world. A quieter, predictable home would likely suit him best, and if there are children, we think older, dog-savvy kids who can understand and respect his boundaries would be the best fit. Winston may be able to live happily with other dogs, too, but the right match will depend on the individual dogs, their dynamics and, importantly, a family willing to provide good management and continue the work he's begun in foster care. He has shown some resource guarding, so his adopters should be comfortable taking that seriously and continuing positive, reward-based training around sharing, trading and household resources.

Here's the thing about Winnie: this dog wants so badly to get it right. He came to us so incredibly unsure of himself and, in some ways, seemingly unsure of how to even be a dog. But the progress he has made in foster care has been remarkable. Every new experience, every little success and every bit of trust he builds seems to make his world bigger and his foundation stronger. He is sweet, affectionate, eager to learn and incredibly responsive to people who make him feel safe. Underneath that uncertainty is a wonderful dog who desperately wants to belong-to have his people, understand what's expected of him, and know that he's home.

Winston isn't going to be the right dog for every family, and that's okay. We're not looking for every family for him. We're looking for the few people who will see what we see: a very special dog with an enormous amount of potential who just needs someone willing to keep showing him the way. For the right person - the kind who finds it incredibly rewarding to watch an uncertain dog become braver, more trusting and more confident - Winnie may just be the project dog of a lifetime. And we have a feeling that someday, his people are going to look back at how far he's come and feel unbelievably lucky that they were the ones who got to help him get there.

Interested in this sweet dog? Apply today at https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/adopt/UPRW-A-64361

**Please note: Our animals live in foster homes throughout the Madison area. We do not have a shelter where animals are available for daily viewing. Applying is the first step in our process.**

Dogs from Underdog Pet Rescue come with the following medical care already provided:
Spay/Neuter
Rabies, Distemper, and Bordetella Vaccinations (as age appropriate-puppy adopters may need to cover some vaccine boosters)
Heartworm Test (for dogs over 9mo)
Microchip
Deworming
Heartworm and Flea/Tick Preventative
Any other necessary medical treatment as recommended by veterinarian

Our adult dog adoption fee is $375. Our puppy (under 5 mo) is $450. Our senior dog (over 8 yrs) is $275. Our adoption fee for bonded adult dogs is $550.

*Please note that all breeds noted are estimates or best guesses. We very rarely have information on our animals' actual breeds since they often come to the shelters we work with as strays*

WI DATCP Licensed Rescue #281765