Little Sprout is a Real Guy's Guy

Q: What do you get when you cross a Boston Terrier or Pug with a Chihuahua?

A: Me! 

I’m Sprout, an irresistibly cute older gentleman with a funny independent streak. 

I came to Young At Heart Pet Rescue after losing my way and ending up at the pound. I waited a whole month for my owners to come find me, but they never did. 

On my very last day, when I had no more time left, a very nice volunteer from Young at Heart came and picked me up. Whew! That was close! 

Now I’m safe and comfy in a foster home, where I’m waiting to find a special family who will love me and keep me close well into my golden years. 

Speaking of “golden years,” I’m somewhere between 12 and 14 years old. I’m still spunky; I just appreciate my naps more. I play a little bit from time to time, and I love to sleep in my crate with the door open or closed (I don’t need it to be closed, but whatever your pleasure). I’m content to sleep at your feet or off by myself – unless my foster brother is getting attention. Then I like lap time.

I probably lived with a man in my former life, because I seem to enjoy the company of men more than women. I also prefer cats over dogs. (Don’t let this get around, but other dogs kind of scare me. Being around them makes me bark and hide.) It took a little while, but I’ve learned to get along with my Chihuahua foster brother. If you give me some time, I could probably adjust to living with another calm, smaller dog. 

I can be a little grumpy when I don’t want to get up from a nap or go for a walk, so I’d do best in a home with adults who understand that sometimes we older guys can be set in our ways. 

I have an inoperable mast cell tumor that’s wrapped around one of my knees. It may have been there for several years, or it may be something newer that is growing; nobody knows for sure. (That’s the thing about mast cell tumors: They can stay in one spot and not cause any problems, or they can spread.) It doesn’t slow me down or bother me one bit right now, but the rescue realizes there’s a higher than average chance I may need extra medical care as time goes on.

Because of this, I qualify for Young At Heart’s Sanctuary of the Heart Program. When a rescued dog or cat with a medical condition is named a Sanctuary animal, it becomes a Young At Heart pet for life. Sanctuary pets are placed in long-term permanent with a very special family who commits to providing love, care, and shelter, while the rescue pays for all of the pet’s expenses – food, supplies, and therapeutic and palliative medical care. Being a Sanctuary family requires no financial commitment, but it does require a big heart.  

Some people would consider me a “special needs” dog, but the truth is I’m more “special” than “needy.” So whatcha think? Is there room in your heart and your home for a cute little sprout like me? Send in your adoption or foster application today, because I‘m really looking forward to meeting you, and maybe one of your cats.