ernestine

Meet Ernestine, aka Tina! This dainty little queen could easily win an award for Best Actress in Being Precious.

Tina was found as a stray down south, lost, frightened, and unsure of what kindness looks like. Now she’s safe at the Haven after taking her very first flight to get to us. She’s spending her time in foster care resting, healing, and learning the fine art of chihuahua diplomacy in a house full of tiny, friendly supervisors who have made her feel right at home.

Tina is looking for a home with patient humans who will let her acclimate on her own timeline. While it takes her some time to trust you and she's not much for snuggling yet, she LOVES chicken jerky treats and they are a surefire way to win her heart. She bravely eats them directly from her foster mom's hand, and will even let her foster mom pick her up as long as she does it confidently. She has recently permitted foster mom the honor of delivering chin rubs, which is basically her version of signing a peace treaty.

While Tina is generally a quiet, gentle little lady, she has strong opinions about dinner being served promptly at 5pm. She toddles behind her foster mom from room to room, selecting cozy beds the way some of us collect throw pillows. And she is a great dining companion: as soon as her foster mom sits down to eat dinner, Tina is right in front of her asking for a seat at the table. She's not leash-trained so she'll require a fenced-in yard. She loves bouncing around her foster mom's yard like a silly, happy explorer.

Tina is a sweet girl who clearly wants attention, but she isn't sure yet if it's safe. Because of this, Tina does not like being pet too much or cuddled yet, but she loves when people coo to her or talk gently. We hope that with time, patience, and medical care to address physical pain, she'll come around.

Tina gets along well with other small dogs - we haven't had a chance to observe her with bigger ones yet. She's learning lots of new skills in her foster home and is making great progress on both stairs and housetraining. For now, she will benefit from having some potty pads around. She does well in the car and is happy to stay home while her humans are at work.

Tina is looking for a quiet, gentle, and patient forever family who will win her over one chicken jerky treat at a time. Could it be yours?

Ernestine is approximately 9 years old and 10 lbs.

Fostered in Richmond, VA
Please apply at MirisHaven.org