TonTon

🏡🐶Seeking Forever Home🐶🏡
Name: TonTon
Breed: Maltese mix
Gender: Female
Size: Small (9kg)
🎂 DOB: 18/08/2024
🐱 Cats: Great! Let the cat groom her!
🐶 Dogs: Calm doggy friends
🧒 Children: 12yo+
🏃🏻‍♀️ Energy level: Low
📌 Location: Ballarat East, VIC
🆔 Microchip: 953010007932981
PER: RE100115

Meet TonTon 🐾❤️

TonTon has had a rough start to life, but she’s slowly learning what it means to feel safe and loved. She came from a puppy farm that was shut down, arriving absolutely terrified, covered in poo and wee, and completely overwhelmed by the world around her. Every sound, every touch, every experience was new and scary.

For the first four days in foster care, TonTon wouldn’t even leave the room. She chose to stay curled up in her crate — her little safe space — and refused to come out. It took days of gentle patience, hand-feeding her, and the comfort of meeting the other dogs in the foster home before she finally built up the courage to step outside. That was the turning point, and from there, TonTon started to thrive. 🌿

Now, she’s eating well, has discovered the joy of couch cuddles, and absolutely adores snuggling up with her foster parents. She loves playing with other dogs and has even become best friends with the resident cat!
🐶🐱

TonTon is also great in the car and travels calmly on the back seat with a doggie seat belt, making trips to the vet or anywhere else stress-free.

One of TonTon’s best traits is how well she settles at home when left alone, as long as she has a friendly dog companion. She usually just curls up, snoozes, and waits patiently for her people to come back.

TonTon still has a journey ahead and will need a patient, understanding family who can give her the time and space she needs to blossom. It took her about a week to start warming up to her foster carers, so adopters should know that trust with TonTon takes time. She’s still a bit shy around people, feels safer when you’re sitting rather than standing, and can be startled by sudden noises or movements.

She’s learning to toilet outside by following the other dogs in her foster home, though she still has the occasional accident indoors, so continued toilet training will be needed. Walking on lead is also still a big challenge — it may take months before she’s confident enough for walks out in the world. For now, she’s happiest playing gently with toys and her doggy friends at home.

TonTon is a low-energy sweetheart who spends most of her day snoozing and is happiest when curled up next to her humans, soaking up pats and snuggles. She’s a gentle, friendly girl who just wants to feel safe and loved. With the right person or family, TonTon will be an incredible companion. ❤️

TonTon’s Adoption Needs
Another friendly resident dog is a must – this is non-negotiable. TonTon gains confidence by following her dog friends and needs a canine companion to continue thriving.

Secure backyard with safe fencing is essential – TonTon is still very fearful of the outside world, and if she were to escape, she would be extremely difficult to catch.

Calm household preferred – older kids only, as sudden noises and unpredictable movements can overwhelm her.

Gentle doggy friends – TonTon enjoys play but doesn’t like boisterous dogs or those who don’t respect her space.

If you have a quiet, loving home, a safe backyard, and the patience to let TonTon bloom at her own pace, she’ll reward you with endless cuddles, loyalty, and love. 🌸

👇All enquiries, questions and interest in adoption need to be via the below link - Please provide detailed responses to the application questions highlighting how your home and lifestyle suit the needs of the individual dog/pup you are applying for. Don't forget to keep an eye on your spam or junk folder for a reply👇

⭐⭐Please APPLY / ENQUIRE using this link.⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇ ⭐⭐

https://www.startingoverdogrescue.org.au/adoption-application-form/

⭐⭐Only these completed applications will be responded to.⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆⭐⭐