Meet Etouffe (Etty)

This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, October 10th from 12PM – 3PM (unless adopted prior to the event). 3910 Middlefield Road All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption. Adoption fee: $650 Meet Etouffe: A Little Cajun Name, a Whole Lot of Sweetness Etouffe—Etty to her friends—is a 4 year old, 45 lb girl whose recipe for a good day is refreshingly simple: a nice walk, a few loving scratches, a sunny spot, and somewhere safe to stash her favorite bone. Etty was adopted from DPS as a puppy and recently returned when her family no longer had the bandwidth to care for her. Now she’s looking for a family ready to give her the time, affection, and security she deserves. Her foster home has discovered a lovely companion who can happily join you for a long walk, then settle down while you get on with your day. Affection, With a Side of Independence Etty arrived a little shy and nervous, understandably needing time to find her footing in a new home. As she has settled in, her sweet, easygoing personality has emerged. She loves being petted and enjoys having her people nearby, but she’s also comfortable doing her own thing. You can share some affection, then attend to your to-do list while Etty attends to hers: sunbathe, watch birds, check on bone. She’s playful without being nonstop. A little activity, a little lounging, and some quality time with her people suit her beautifully. One of her favorite pastimes is resting in her bed and quietly watching the birds and squirrels in the backyard. Think of it as her favorite nature channel, with excellent reception. Did Somebody Say “Walkies”? If you want Etty’s attention, pick up her leash—or simply say the magic word. This girl loves her walks, and her enthusiasm sometimes gets ahead of her leash manners! She may pull at the beginning of an outing, and her foster is helping her practice a calmer start. Once underway, Etty keeps a good pace and has plenty of stamina. She enjoys short outings but is also happy to accompany you on walks of four to five miles. She doesn’t bark at people or dogs on walks and is interested in meeting them when allowed. Occasionally, an enthusiastic greeting includes a jump up, so her new family should continue helping her learn that four paws on the ground earn the best welcomes. Her Daily Specials Etty’s morning starts around 7:30 a.m. with a backyard potty break followed by a walk. In her foster home, she has an enclosed area furnished with a bed, blanket, toys, and water, with access to the backyard during the day. She isn’t crated. Dinner is served between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m., followed by an evening walk once the weather cools. By 10:00 p.m., she’s ready to turn in. Her house manners have been reassuring: after one accident on her first day, she hasn’t had another. She has also slept through the night with the back door closed without an accident. Her foster hasn’t observed destructive chewing or nuisance barking, and her occasional digging has a very specific purpose: safeguarding her bone. Apparently, a girl needs a savings account. Friends and Favorite Treasures Etty has been spending time in the backyard with her foster’s medium-sized Shepherd/Cattle Dog mix. She needs a little time to warm up, then becomes playful and comfortable with him. She could be happy as an only dog or potentially join a home with another compatible dog, with gradual introductions. She does prefer to keep her special treasures to herself. Her foster has noticed that she may bark if the resident dog tries to take her bone. In a home with other dogs, bones and high-value chews should be enjoyed separately so everyone can relax. When her fosters go out, Etty stays in her fenced area with backyard access, while the resident dog is nearby on the other side of the fence. She has shown no signs of separation anxiety in this arrangement and appears comfortable settling on her own. Etty’s Next Chapter Etty would love a home with a secure backyard, daily walks, and people who appreciate both her affectionate moments and her independent streak. Her new family should give her time to settle in and continue working on polite leash walking and greetings. In return, they’ll get a companion who enjoys an adventure but also understands the considerable merits of a comfortable bed. Etty isn’t asking for an elaborate menu: love, consistency, walkies, and a sunny place to stretch out will do nicely. Add a family committed to her next chapter, and that’s a recipe worth coming home to.