Chihuahua Mix · Waggytail Rescue
Senior · Female · 5 lbs · New York, NY
Bella is a 9 year old, 5-pound female Chihuahua from Alabama.
She has adjusted well during her time in the city.
Bella enjoys leisurely walks, eating (of course), and cuddling up right next to her human.
She is working on “sit” and other obedience training, but she is a fast learner. She figured out how to go up and down doggy stairs after being shown only once!
During her time with her foster family, she seems to be housetrained and eliminates quickly outside. She is also being trained on pee pads. She sits calmly to get her harness on and off, and walks well on a leash.
Bella is a sweet, gentle, curious, and intelligent pup.
Her forever family will need to continue working with Bella to reinforce and advance the progress she's been making.
Bella is not a fan of the crate; but she has shown herself to be very trustworthy with no destructive behaviors whenever she is home without humans and left to roam free. She does show some signs of separation anxiety while confined, but she is much more relaxed and independent when she is able to move freely.
She loves to be cozy, and can often be found cuddled on the couch, in her foster mom's bed, or in one of several pet beds. She particularly likes sleeping directly under her foster mom's work desk.
Bella is looking for a low key to a medium-active family. She enjoys outings and would be a great sidekick to her new family's adventures.
She also enjoys walks when the weather isn't too hot so that she can take her time taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the city.
She would do well with another dog in the home; but she would likely also be fine as an only dog, as long as her new family works on building her confidence. Bella is doing extremely well with her foster family's two dogs, as well as two cats (though she's still processing the concept of "zoomies"). She is respectful and polite towards other animals in the home and on walks, while still showing curiosity about and interest in other animals. She shows no aggression or resource guarding behaviors.
We would recommend Bella go to a home with older children or adults only. She looks fondly at children on walks and appears to have positive associations with them, but her very petite stature and age does require more gentle handling.
Vaccinated for rabies, DHPP, and bordetella, spayed/neutered and microchipped. Negative for heartworm disease and current on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
To apply for Bella, visit our website (www.waggytailrescue.org) for an application. It is important to fill out an application as soon as possible for consideration, and we require a complete application for you to meet an animal. We are currently unable to respond to general email inquiries as an all-volunteer run rescue. If the dog is on our website, they are still available.
Waggytail Rescue CANNOT guarantee the exact age of any adoptable dog, or final size of any of our adoptable puppies. We rely on the information provided to us by veterinarians, shelters, owner surrenders and other circumstances bringing the dog into our rescue.
Adoptions: adopt@waggytailrescue.org
Bold and deeply bonded to one or two people. Chihuahuas are often wary of strangers and can be snappy if they were never taught that hands are safe — early gentle socialization matters.
Low — short walks and indoor play are plenty.
Extremely apartment-friendly and easy to carry on the subway. They get cold fast and need a sweater most of the winter.
Contact Waggytail Rescue about Bella