Charlie *On Trial in His New Home*

*CHARLIE IS CURRENTLY TRIALLING HIS NEW HOME*. Charlie is a quiet, thoughtful little boy who, once he gets to know you, doesn’t mind a pat and a cuddle. He is looking for a caring and compassionate home who will help build his confidence and understands he is a bit shy when meeting new people.

We don’t know much about Charlie’s history (if only he could talk…) as a friend of SARG rescued him from a backyard breeder where we can only assume his contact with humans was limited. We didn’t even know his name though he now responds to Charlie. \ What we do know is that he’s a sweet little fella who once he realises you’ll do him no harm will make some lucky person a very loyal and loving companion.

When Charlie first arrived he was so unsure it took a bit of gentle coaxing to be able to even get him out of the car – in saying this he is in no way fear-aggressive, he hasn’t got a nasty bone in his body; he’d prefer to run and hide when unsure. After a few weeks in care he’s getting more confident and likes to snuggle up near his foster carer while she watches tv and follows her around the house and garden. He seems to be most relaxed when he’s lying on her bed and then she can give him a good pat and a brush, though he’s not quite to the stage of allowing himself to be picked up, but with love and patience we’re sure he’ll get there.

Sweet Charlie isn’t in your face or overly yappy though he will give a growl and a few warning barks when someone is at the door making him a good watchdog. We doubt Charlie’s ever had a doggie toy as he’s quite baffled by what to do with them, though he doesn’t mind a game of chasey around the house with his foster carer. He enjoys food and particularly loves Schmackos which have helped win him over and he doesn’t dig or chew. He’s fine around other dogs although we think he’d be best where he could be the spoilt only child. We weren’t sure how Charlie would go around children though he liked to follow his carer’s grandchildren around during a recent visit although we doubt he’d cope with boisterous kids.

Being a Maltese x ShihTzu Charlie doesn’t lose any hair though he’ll require a good brush once a week and a professional clip a few times a year to keep his coat in tip-top condition. As he sleeps inside at night and has mastered a doggie door he would be best suited to an indoor/outdoor lifestyle in a quiet home where his humans are around fairly often. We haven’t tried him on a lead yet, so his carer will attempt to do so. \ Secure fences, chicken necks to chew on plus love and reassurance in his forever home will help Charlie to thrive.

If you’ve got the patient, loving home we’re after for gentle-natured Charlie then please download and complete a SARG Dog Adoption Application form by following this link: http://www.sarg.net.au/adopt-a-pet.html