Meet Rio! A shy yet sweet soul, Rio is a 4-year-old city girl who found life in the quiet rural area of her foster home much more to her liking.  Rio is looking for a furever home where she can feel secure and safe. She requires patience and needs slow introductions to people. She prefers to decide when she is ready to meet you over being approached by new people. But once she knows you, prepare yourself for lots of kisses!   Rio is a quirky, cute and funny little girl. She loves stuffies, walks and chilling on the couch, recliner or bed. Anywhere she has the jump on any deliveries, visitors or squirrels. She takes great pride in her work as the home security jug. When she's feeling like a prankster, she will steal and hide a shoe. Rio really enjoys car rides. Again, she likes a booster seat so she can see everything that's happening. Rio is good on walks and can be redirected when she pulls on her leash. Continued work on redirection with positive reinforcement, praise and treats will help her continue to improve. Bonus, she will go out in any weather! That must be the Jack Russel genes!  She is both crate and house trained. She currently sleeps in her crate and derives a sense of comfort and security there.  Rio does ok with the small energetic resident pug, but given the choice, she'd like a more mellow companion. She likes to chase cats so in the interest of a peaceful existence we will not prefer to place her with any cats in the home.    Rio is a bit chunky, so we have her on a weight management diet. With continued exercise and diet, she will be down to a healthy weight in no time. She was a very good girl at the vet. She was a bit nervous at first, but did not mind the bigger dogs in the waiting area. Rio has a grade II heart murmur that should be monitored with her annual vet visits. She is completing treatment for the tickborne disease Anaplasmosis. Rio has a history of a repaired liver shunt.    Rio came to rescue with a reported history of anxiety and aggressive behaviors. While we will not discredit those reports, we also work with the dog we see in front of us. Rio's foster parents have done an amazing job observing Rio's cues and providing her with a level of comfort and security that has brought out her very special personality. They have observed her behaviors to be more fear based than aggression. We will be seeking an adoptive home where Rio's new family will respect her boundaries and provide a peaceful environment without a lot of activity. Some dogs thrive on lots of coming and going in a home. Rio is not that dog.    Rio's Adoption Requirements: Commitment to working within Rio's comfort zone. Slow introductions to new people and animals Daily walks with positivereinforcement of good behavior Mellow companion dog ok No cats Fenced yard preferred, or secured plan No young children. Age 15 and older ok  Alone no longer than 6 hrs. She'd prefer to be with you when possible.  No dog parks.  Commitment to lifetime health care and maintenance to include annual well visits and monthly flea, tick and heartworm prevention Rio's Adoption Fee- $500.00 based on her age less $100.00mix discount    Are you ready to invite this beautiful girl into your heart and provide her with all she needs to thrive? Please complete an adoption application. If you have completed an application in the past 6 months, you can submit our Approved/In Process form to alert us of your interest in Rio.          

Shelter Name: Pug Rescue of New England
Shelter City: Somerville
Shelter State: MA
Shelter Website: Pug Rescue of New England