Tootie

🐾 Shy, sweet, playful

💥 Energy level: medium-high

🐈 Loves cats

🐕 Good with dogs she knows

👶 Good with children

👽 Afraid of new people

❄ What makes Tootie special? Tootie adores cats! The moment she sees one, she wants to cuddle with it.

 

Tootie arrived at the Melez shelter in the fall of 2023. A local animal lover told us there was a sick puppy lying by the side of the road near the puppy pen. We rushed there immediately, only to discover it wasn’t a puppy, but an emaciated adult dog in terrible condition. Poor Tootie had mange, was skin and bones, and so weak that she could barely walk. She wasn’t sure whether she could trust us, but she no longer had the strength to run away, so we picked her up and brought her to the vet, where we discovered she also had an infection.

It was clear she hadn’t eaten in a long time, and even a small meal made a huge difference: she lit up and started wagging her tail.

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Tootie made a full recovery and is now a happy, healthy girl. She has settled well into the shelter and is so grateful to be safe and well-fed.

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Unfortunately, Tootie still carries some of the fears from her life on the street. When she feels comfortable and safe, she’s a cheerful dog with a sweet personality. She’s very affectionate and loves cuddles and sitting on laps. She’s loyal to the people she trusts and follows us around asking for attention. But Tootie can also be insecure, and she needs a stable home where she can feel safe.

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The Tootie we see in the kennel and the Tootie we see when she’s outside are two very different dogs. In her kennel, Tootie likes to play with her kennel mates, but she’s generally reserved, stressed, and unsure. She barks at new dogs and strangers outside the fence. When visitors come, she barks at them from inside her kennel, but once they’re inside, she happily comes over to greet them and immediately wants pets and attention.

As soon as she’s out of her kennel, a whole different Tootie emerges! With excited bursts of energy, she explores and runs around. She hops along cheerfully, soaking in all the new smells and sights. When she sees another dog, she greets them enthusiastically and immediately invites them to play. In her rush of excited energy, it can be hard to calm her down.

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When Tootie first arrived, she was very afraid of men, but she’s made a lot of progress. When we have male visitors at the shelter, she greets them happily and enjoys their attention. Outside the shelter, she might bark at a man she sees from a distance, but she’s no longer afraid to be approached by men and enjoys interacting with them when properly introduced. Groups of men can still be intimidating for her.

Tootie is a very playful dog who wants to play with everyone and everything! She loves playing with toys, other dogs, or cats! When she sees a cat, she gets super excited and happily runs over to try and get it to play with her.

This sweet girl is full of joy and so eager to enjoy life – she just needs someone to help her feel completely safe. In a stable, loving home with an adopter willing to keep helping her work through her fears, we know she can blossom into the happiest, most grateful dog.

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Can you give Tootie the happy life she truly deserves?

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Tootie is currently in Turkey and is ready to travel to the EU / UK.

Our dogs arrive microchipped, up to date on rabies and combination vaccines, spayed/neutered, dewormed and flea-treated, and tested for heartworm, Ehrlichia, Leishmania, and Anaplasma. Before traveling, they see a vet for a final health check. If needed, their teeth are cleaned and X-rays are taken of any potential problem areas. Any concerns or potential health issues we’re aware of will be communicated with you beforehand.