Lovely Lita Marie is ready to find her forever home! Lita is a breeder surrender who came into rescue over the winter.  She gave birth to many gorgeous puppies – how could they be anything but gorgeous?  Look at her! – but that time is over.  She is done being a mom, and now she needs to focus on herself for a change.  She has earned it.

Lita is a 5-year-old long-hair chihuahua.  She is the colors of a summertime campfire s’more: white as a fluffy marshmallow, golden graham crackers, and streaks of milk chocolate.  Due to her long hair, she will need to be brushed daily.  At this point, Lita has learned to “trust the brush” and sits quietly while her foster mom brushes her during the early morning news.  She has had multiple teeth removed, but her canines are in place.  Due to the missing teeth, you will sometimes find her with the tip of her tongue poking out or her lip stuck up on one of the front teeth in a classic Elvis Presly type sneer.  She is able to eat without issue – her foster mom does put a little warm water over her kibble just to make sure things go smoothly at mealtime.

Lita is still shy and skittish with strangers.  She has come leaps & bounds since she first arrived – now she usually stays in the room with new people and will eventually work her way over to them for an investigating sniff and perhaps allow some chin scratches.  She doesn’t like any hands over her head, so when you are petting, start with her chin.  An ear scratch is certainly on her menu of favorite things, but you must work your way into that on her timetable.  Lita will allow you to hold her in your lap.  She will shake at first but eventually you will feel her tiny body unclench, and she will begin to relax and sometimes fall asleep. She has had very little experience with human touch – she is starting to learn that human touch does not have to always equal pain and fear – it can be pleasurable, and she is easing into allowing that to be part of her life.  Lita is not a nuisance barker, but if she hears something outside, she will make sure that her family heard it too.  She will bark, dance, and chase her tail when it is time to eat.  This little girl LOVES her food! 

Lita is not leash trained – and attempts to teach her how to walk on a leash have been met with big resistance and a notable increase in her stress.  Given how much she has gone through, we are not interested in stressing her further.  She may (or may not) have the capacity to learn how to walk on a leash in the future, but it will be on her terms when – and if – SHE is ready.  Due to this fact, Lita will require a fenced in yard in her forever home.

Lita is still working on housebreaking.  She knows to go potty outside – and loves to be outside!  It may take her a while…she will sniff every leaf and investigate every flower, tree, and shrub.  And she will pee a tiny bit on each, just to show others she has been there.  Her foster mom works, so potty pads are available throughout the house.  Sometimes she uses them.  Other times, there are accidents when her foster mom gets home.  In her previous life, there was no need for her to monitor where or when went potty.  She just went potty in her cage when she needed to.  This new life has both wonderful and exciting experiences, but also rules and responsibilities that can be frightening and confusing.  She HAS made much progress since coming to us.  But she will need grace and patience to continue on her journey.  There will be accidents in her new home as she adjusts to new rules and the expectations of a new home, please understand she is trying.  She will need love, support and patience.  She is a beautiful, curious, affectionate (in her own way), cuddly (in her own way) fluffy fur ball that was wronged by humans from the very beginning of her life.  She is just realizing that there are other options out there for her life – ones that include a soft bed to sleep on, other dogs to play with, freshly cut grass to roll in (the grass was a HUGE hit!! She played like a puppy, rolling around until she looked like a combination of the Grinch & Oscar the Grouch) …she is thrilled and terrified at the same time.

Lita would do well with another small, confident dog in her home.  She needs someone to learn from and be a companion to her.  Another option would be family who worked from home or were retired.  She should not be left all alone for an entire workday.  Her nature is skittish and slightly nervous, leaving her alone would only make that worse.  If children were present in Lita’s forever home, they would need to be older children who understand her history, move slowly when around her, and quietly give her the chance to know and trust them before they attempt to hold or cuddle her.  Lita has not been tested on cats.

Lita Marie is on the brink of a brand-new life.  One that has no cages, no mandatory puppies, no crowded and potentially dangerous conditions.  The entire world is opening up to her – it will be exciting for her, as well as the family that has chosen to give her this opportunity.  What an amazing gift to watch her blossom into the dog she was always meant to be! 

Lita is spayed, up to date with vaccines, microchipped, flea/worm treated and tested neg. for heartworm.  Her adoption fee is $400