monkey

Monkey is a 3½-year-old neutered male Pomeranian mix. He weighs 15 pounds, is very active, loves dogs and people, tries to play with dog-savvy cats, and he has only one eye. Monkey came into foster care about 4 months ago, after his much-loved owner passed away.

His foster mom calls him Monkey because he is always on the move and getting into things. He is a bundle of energy. If you’ve ever lived with a Pomeranian, then you’ll know that they rarely stop moving. They run, they jump, they spin, they bark, they try to engage other dogs, and sometimes they’ll try to play with inanimate objects. They are very interactive. During TV time, Monkey will launch himself into his foster mom’s lap, regardless of how many other dogs and cats are already there. He will lie back, enjoy the hugging and kissing, and then he’ll jump down and look for new adventures. His foster mom has learned to listen for unusual sounds in the house, which could indicate concerns such as unauthorized chewing (paper products, including napkins, tissues, and cardboard labels).

Monkey is not yet reliably housetrained, but he has made great progress. He recently transitioned from sleeping in a bedroom crate to sleeping on a dog bed, with no overnight accidents. He will need continued training, and the best approach currently is to give him frequent opportunities to go outside. For backup, Monkey will normally use a puppy pee pad if one is available. Monkey is perhaps 98% housetrained and rarely uses the puppy pad now.

Monkey is an omnivore who enjoys a variety of foods and has shown no bad reactions to anything, including kibble, raw fish, dehydrated or canned pet foods, and fresh fruits and veggies.

Monkey has been enjoying a large, fenced yard, which he loves to explore. Previously, he was walked for only short periods in a retirement community, and he didn’t get out much. He now willingly goes for long walks on leash; however, he still needs work on loose-leash walking.

Monkey has a long, double coat. He will need to be professionally groomed every 6–8 weeks, unless his adopter is an avid groomer. Ideally, he would be combed several times per week, with nails trimmed at least once per month. His foster’s groomers say that he is a great grooming customer.

Monkey’s first owner did not use a crate. However, his foster mom has found that being crated in his own crate is an excellent option, as long as crating is accompanied by a wonderful treat.

Monkey is an adorable small dog, but does have anxiety. When he arrived, he was on two behavioral medicines. Now he’s down to one for anxiety. His vet feels he could potentially be weaned off that one, as well.

Monkey loves to play with dogs of all sizes and would do best with another canine buddy. In spite of his size, he needs plenty of exercise, whether running in a securely fenced yard or taking his people on long walks. Long periods of alone time may result in nuisance barking or other undesirable behaviors. He craves human companionship, so he would be happiest with a family that is home most of the day.

Monkey wants to play with his foster mom’s cats, who ignore him. He would do well with polite kids 5 years old and up with adult supervision.

Monkey has so much personality and a great sense of humor. If you give him time, love, devotion (and a splash of patience), he will be your best friend ever.

If you are interested in adopting Monkey, please complete our nonbinding application:
click here to send a non-binding application