MEET MR. SCRUFFY

8/27/26-Hi friends, Scruffy here! I’m still waiting for my furever home, so in the meantime, I’ve been very busy practicing being a VERY good boy.  I’ve come such a long way since I first arrived at my foster home. I was pretty scared and unsure about this whole “being part of a family” thing. Turns out…I REALLY like it! I’m 100% housebroken and use the doggie door all by myself. I’m crate trained, I know how to sit nicely for treats, and I’m very food motivated—which means I’m an excellent student as long as payment is provided. I get along great with other dogs and love having friends to play with, but I’m also perfectly capable of entertaining myself. Give me some toys and I’ll happily carry them around the house, leaving them everywhere so you always know where I’ve been. I’m also an accomplished snuggler, professional bed sleeper, giver of gentle kisses, and enthusiastic breakfast and dinner singer. And have you SEEN my little underbite?! I can be shy with new people, so I need someone who understands that I might not show you the real Scruffy immediately. Give me a little time, some patience, a few treats, and the chance to decide that you’re safe. Once I choose you, I’m loyal, affectionate, silly, playful, and happiest when I’m near my person. And guess what?! There are NO application fees, and my adoption fee is FULLY SPONSORED! That means there’s one less thing standing between me and the furever family I’ve been waiting for.

I’ve learned so much about being a dog and being part of a family. Now there’s really only one thing left for me to practice…Being somebody’s forever good boy. I’m ready. I just need my somebody to find me. Love, Scruffy

8/11/26-Getting to Know Scruffy. What kind of dog friends does Scruffy like? Scruffy is a playful, submissive little guy who gets along great with other dogs. He enjoys having friends to play, nap, and hang out with, so he’d be very happy with a canine buddy in his furever home. That said, another dog isn’t a requirement. Scruffy would also be perfectly happy as an only dog, soaking up ALL the love & attention for himself. How does Scruffy do when left home alone? Scruffy & our resident pug pack are crated when no one is home. He is crate trained and willingly goes into his crate—especially when the required treats are involved! A bone to chew on while you’re gone would also be greatly appreciated. He’s generally quiet while crated & settles nicely. However, when you return, Scruffy expects his release to be PROMPT. Lol He will happily—and quite loudly—announce that you’re home and he’s ready to get out and see you. How is he on a leash? This one is still TBD! We haven’t had enough leash-walking experience with Scruffy yet to give an accurate assessment. We’ll update as we learn more. How does he do in the car? Scruffy rides quietly in the car & doesn’t need to be crated. He’s gotten carsick, though, so that’s something his future family should be aware of, especially for longer trips.
How is Scruffy with visitors and new people?
Expect visitors to be greeted by the Scruffy Alarm System—otherwise known as some very enthusiastic barking. During one visit, with the added excitement of the entire pack barking & carrying on, a visitor reported a small excited nip. This behavior had never happened before & hasn’t happened since, and it appeared to be related to the excitement & commotion of the moment. Still, it’s something we want potential adopters to know. Once the initial excitement settles—usually within a few minutes—Scruffy’s shy side tends to take over. He’ll look to his trusted person for safety & reassurance. Scruffy can be skittish if someone he doesn’t know reaches for him, & he doesn’t want strangers picking him up. If someone he doesn’t trust tries to hold him, he may wiggle & try to escape their arms, so it’s important not to force interaction or pick him up before he’s comfortable. Treats are an excellent way to show Scruffy that you come in peace! But ultimately, he prefers to decide when he’s ready to approach someone new.
How is he with grooming? Scruffy did great with his bath! And he’s small enough to fit in the kitchen sink. Bonus! Lol We haven’t trimmed his nails yet, but his last foster home said he had his nails trimmed at a groomer twice & they said he did well. Does Scruffy have good manners? Generally, yes! Scruffy is 100% housebroken & uses the doggie door like a pro. He lets himself in & out whenever he wants or needs to go outside. He’d very much appreciate it if you shared your meals & snacks with him, thank you very much, but he isn’t overly pushy about begging—even if you’re sitting on the couch with something delicious.
He also knows how to sit nicely for treats. Where does Scruffy sleep? Scruffy is a professional bed snuggler who sleeps through the night and specializes in morning kisses.
Once you’re his person, expect him to want to be close. Is he food motivated? VERY. Food & treats have been wonderful tools for helping Scruffy learn new things & build confidence. Treats have helped reinforce good behavior & teach him things like going willingly into his crate and sitting like a good boy. He’s an enthusiastic participant when snacks are involved! Lol  What are some of his funny little quirks? Scruffy is a talker. He’s a singer. He has an adorable little underbite & he’s surprisingly independent when it comes to entertaining himself. He loves toys & will happily play by himself. He frequently brings toys to his favorite person & also carries them from room to room, leaving a trail of toys in his wake. Basically, you can determine Scruffy’s recent whereabouts by following the stuffies. Lol  How far has Scruffy come? This may be the most important thing to understand about him.
Scruffy spent approximately the first 10 months of his life living in a crate with other dogs. He’s still learning what it means to be part of a family—to feel safe, secure, warm, loved & confident that there will always be another meal. In many ways, he’s still learning how to “dog.” Because of that, your first impression of Scruffy may not be the dog you’ll know a few days later. When he first arrived here, he was scared, confused & unsure of everything. Within about a day & a half, though, we were friends. He decided this place & these people might actually be okay.
The little dog we initially worried might try to escape soon chose to stay. Once Scruffy feels safe, bonds with his person & realizes he can trust you, you start seeing the real Scruffy: playful, affectionate, silly, snuggly & incredibly loving. He still isn’t comfortable with our daughter bending down & reaching for him, so children need to understand & respect his boundaries. He trusts his foster mom & dad & has shown us just how deeply he can bond when given the opportunity. What makes Scruffy feel safe? When Scruffy first arrived, he stayed tucked away in a corner. That first evening, he needed to decompress & slept in a crate. The next day, he was still very shy & spent much of the morning keeping to himself.
And then something changed. He came over to me & essentially asked if he could come into my lap. I picked him up & there he stayed—calm, comfortable and finally able to sleep.
I may have sweetened the deal by sharing a few tiny pieces of egg & cheese as a peace offering. Apparently, that was all it took. We’ve been friends ever since. Scruffy finds security in having a trusted person. Once he decides you’re that person, being near you helps him feel safe. What does Scruffy need from his furever family? More than anything, Scruffy needs patience. His new family needs to understand the 3-3-3 rule & recognize that the Scruffy they meet on Day 1 may be completely different from the Scruffy they know on Day 3, Day 30 or Day 300. He bonds and loves deeply—& surprisingly quickly—but those first couple of days can feel concerning if you don’t understand what he’s been through. When Scruffy moves to his furever home, everything that has finally become familiar & safe will suddenly change again. New people. New smells. New sounds. New routines. He won’t understand why. He needs someone who won’t rush him or expect him to immediately be the happy, silly little dog they’ve seen in his foster updates. If possible, I would also recommend giving Scruffy about a week to bond and settle into his new home before regularly leaving him alone for extended periods, such as a full workday. Give him patience. Give him consistency. Give him treats. Give him a safe place to land & then give him the chance to choose you. Because the Scruffy we know today is a completely different dog from the frightened little guy who first arrived. And getting to watch him decide that he’s finally safe enough to love you? That’s pretty special.

 

8/3/26-Hi, friends! It’s me, Scruffy. I thought I’d tell you a little more about myself while I wait for my forever family to find me. I’m a sweet, gentle little guy with lots of love to give. I love getting pets, giving soft little kisses, chewing on my favorite bones, and carrying toys all over the house. 

 

7/13/26-Hi! I’m Scruffy! I’m feeling more confident every day! I love zooming around the backyard (it’s been upgraded to Fort Knox after my great escape lol), chewing on bones, playing with toys, and hanging out with my resident pug friends. I’m proud to say I’m 100% housebroken! I use the doggie door all by myself whenever I need to go out—even if it’s raining or the middle of the night. I’m a very independent little guy. I’ll happily go into my crate for meals or a tasty treat when my foster family has to leave the house. I prefer not to have my crate covered, and I’d appreciate getting out as soon as everyone gets home, but otherwise I’m perfectly comfortable relaxing in there. I’ve become pretty attached to my foster mom. She’s my favorite person. Foster dad is a pretty good substitute when she’s not around, but Mom is definitely my person. Kids are okay, but I tend to prefer calm, patient adults. Bedtime is my favorite. I sleep all night in bed beside foster mom and a few pug buddies. Every so often I wake up just to make sure she’s still there, and I give her a few gentle kisses before going back to sleep. Then, in the morning, I make sure she knows it’s time to wake up—with lots and lots of kisses! (Breakfast and playtime are waiting, after all!)

I’m still a young guy at heart, so I have a few silly puppy habits. My kisses are always gentle, but when I’m excited they come in rapid-fire bursts! I also might borrow a couch pillow or sneak away with a slipper just to make everyone smile. My foster family says I’m such a good boy and an absolute joy to have around. They think I’d do well as an only dog or with another friendly dog to keep me company. If you have children, I’d be happiest with older, patient, dog-savvy kids who understand that I can be a little shy at first. More than anything, I’m looking for someone to love and a place where I feel safe. Once I know I’m home, I’ll thank you every single day with loyalty, gentle kisses, and endless affection. I’m Scruffy, and I’m ready to find my forever family. Could it be yours?

7/2/26-Scruffy is doing great! He’s eating and drinking well, playing, relaxing, and settling in beautifully. He’s incredibly affectionate and loves nothing more than snuggling up for a cozy nap in my lap. Scruffy would thrive in a home with another friendly dog to play with, or with someone who has a warm lap available for plenty of cuddle time. He truly is the sweetest little guy. On his own, Scruffy has a low energy level. With a canine friend, he’ll happily play and romp around, but he’s equally happy to take breaks and recharge with a nap in between. He’s discovered a love for stuffed toys and has recently started enjoying chewing on bones. Gotta keep that cute little underbite clean and bright! He’s also doing wonderfully with our dog-savvy daughter and has been gentle with her. We couldn’t be prouder of how far this sweet boy has come!

 

7/1/26-Scruffy (aka mini Falcor the Luckdragon from The NeverEnding Story) is doing great! His tail is up and wagging, and he’s really starting to come out of his shell. He has officially bonded with me (foster mom) and even rolled over to offer me his belly for rubs—a huge milestone! Yesterday he learned how to use the doggie door to go outside, and this morning he figured out it works both ways and let himself back in. Such a smart little guy!

He’s also found a new best friend in foster boy Blitz, and the feeling is definitely mutual. Blitz wanted to be Scruffy’s buddy from the moment they met, and now they’re running, wrestling, and playing together beautifully. They both initiate play, and Scruffy often rolls onto his back to show his sweet, submissive nature. Another exciting first today: Scruffy started playing with toys! The difference in him over just a couple of days has been incredible. He’s becoming more relaxed, more confident, and we’re so proud of the progress he’s making.

 

6/30/26-Scruffy has certainly made an impression during his first couple of days! He arrived yesterday thanks to his original foster mom Joanne and immediately won us over with his sweet, gentle nature… but we quickly learned he’s also incredibly smart and determined. Within hours he found a low spot in the fence and went on a neighborhood adventure. Thankfully, with the help of some amazing neighbors, he made it home safe. This morning he mastered the doggie door, escaped the deck into the backyard, and then started working on his next escape route by chewing the very spot we’d just reinforced.

 

Security upgrades were made and more are on the way.  Thanks for giving us the motivation, Scruffy!  Lol The best news? Today brought some huge milestones. Scruffy asked to sit in my lap, then curled up on the couch beside me and our three pugs for a nice nap before foster boy Blitz came home. I may have bribed him with a few bites of my egg and cheese sandwich this morning… and I think it worked. Lol He was much more relaxed today and even cleaned his dinner bowl! Scruffy is still scared, confused, and trying to figure out his new world here, but we’re already seeing glimpses of the happy little dog hiding underneath. He also met Blitz today. Blitz was ready to play, but Scruffy wasn’t quite there yet. Maybe they’ll be best buddies once he’s had more time to settle in. We’re so proud of this brave little guy. Every day brings a little more trust, and that’s the biggest win of all.