Rennie — A Little Dog With a Big Heart  

Rennie is a 3‑year‑old, 20‑pound bundle of sweetness who has already shown remarkable resilience. She came into rescue after her previous owner could no longer afford her heartworm treatment, but this brave girl completed the full protocol and is now heartworm‑free.  

From the moment she arrived, Rennie showed everyone what a tender, submissive, people‑pleasing soul she is. In the early days, she was lethargic from the heartworms, but as she healed, her personality blossomed. Now she’s playful, spunky in short bursts, and full of quiet joy. She loves to run and play in the backyard!  

Rennie lives with other dogs and does beautifully with them. Being small and naturally submissive, she tends to defer to other dogs, and slow introductions are always best. She loves playing with the resident dog and even curled up beside the senior resident boy when he was ill, offering him gentle companionship. Her relationship with cats or small caged pets is unknown, though she does enjoy tormenting squirrels outside — one of her favorite pastimes.  

Around people, Rennie is cautious at first but warms quickly into a friendly, affectionate companion. She would likely do well with older, dog‑savvy children (10+) who understand how to be gentle with her. She loves people in general and truly seems to exist to make them happy. She is wonderfully behaved, never gets underfoot, doesn’t beg, and has a polite, thoughtful way of moving through the home.  

Her foster family describes her as a “happy camper” and a natural follower. She has lots of character and minds very well. When excitement rises — like when squirrels appear or visitors arrive — her submissive nature gives way to joyful enthusiasm. She loves her toys, especially stuffies and squeaky toys, and she spreads them all over the house as if decorating her space. One of her favorite games is bouncing her little squeaky ball so it hops away, then chasing after it with delight.  

Rennie is also a deeply affectionate girl. She loves “chair time” with her foster mom and often sleeps with her at night. She has a charming bedtime ritual: she climbs onto the bed, rolls onto her back, sticks out a paw for a handshake, and then snuggles in. She snores a bit — nothing unusual — and occasionally lets out a dramatic “dragon yawn” that always makes her family laugh.  

In terms of training and manners, Rennie is a dream. She is housebroken and will even go potty “on demand” before the family leaves the house. She is crate trained but prefers not to be crated. She is leash trained, though she does not go on walks due to knee issues. She knows the commands “stay” and “come,” and she is a wonderful car rider. She is also very good for grooming.

Rennie would do well in many types of homes. She could live happily in an apartment or condo if she has a window to look out of — she loves watching the world go by. A fenced yard is not required but is preferred so she can roam, sniff, and lie in the grass. Ideally, she would have another friendly dog to play with, an older child in the home, or a retired couple or individual who can offer her the gentle, attentive lifestyle she thrives in. With a little training, she could even make a wonderful office dog.  

Rennie has seasonal allergies, which she handles beautifully with Cytopoint injections as needed. She cannot take Apoquel, as it caused seizures even at a very small dose, so her future family will need to avoid that medication entirely. Her foster home is also trialing a newer allergy medication that shows promise and will give Rennie another option to control her seasonal allergies.  

Rennie was previously thought to have hip issues, however, a recent orthopedic consult determined that she has a grade 2 luxating patella instead. Rennie will be having surgery to address this in mid-October and will be available for adoption again after her healing is complete. She also is currently healing from a large ear hematoma that required a drain and five stitches.

Rennie really needs a home that will support her medical needs, and appreciate her sweet, quirky, affectionate nature. She is not high‑maintenance beyond these considerations. She’s an eager eater but never begs, and she spreads joy simply by being herself.  Rennie is a wonderful little dog — friendly, well‑mannered, loving, and full of personality. If you’re looking for a loyal, gentle companion with a heart full of love, please keep an eye out for when Rennie returns to our available page!