Get ready to be charmed by Zoey Southern Charm!

Sweet Zoey is eager to find a forever home! We really aren't sure what her breed mix might be, but she is a cute, chunky puppy with some growing still left to do.  Miss Zoey has a gorgeous white speckled coat and the perfect black tipped ears, as well as the goofiest grin when she is happy and engaged.  

Zoey didn’t have a great start to life, and she didn’t get the luxury of being welcomed into an inclusive, loving household when she was a young pup.  In our time with Zoey, we have learned that she  is  very slow to trust  people.  Her initial response  to people (and their movements/ activities) is mistrust and concern.  We are working hard with her to change this reaction, and with critical guidance from our Behavior  Team, regular  positive exposure to new situations, and some anti-anxiety medications, we are so thrilled to report that she is making progress!  And, throughout all of this, Zoey has remained eager to continue to explore and learn!  She is really quite a delightful pup when she feels comfortable and safe!    

Zoey is house trained, leash trained and is working hard at polishing her skills at sit, touch, stay.  She has spent some time in the crate, but she prefers to free roam in the house; fortunately, she is not destructive when left alone and will greet you with a wagging tail as soon as you come home.  

This girl is a HUGE fan of fetch and will play until her tongue is hanging out and she has the happiest smile on her face.  She will then plop herself into the water stream (weather-permitting) and enjoys a refreshing cool down!  

While Zoey is an active pup, she is not a busybody and can be content as a complete couch potato if you ever need a down day,  as long as her exercise and stimulation needs are met on a regular basis.  She loves to curl up as close as possible and lay her head on a cozy shoulder.  

Zoey is pretty quick to take to new, friendly dogs. She has lived in several foster homes since being in RI, each with other dogs ranging from small to large, young to old, and has enjoyed (or learned to quickly co-exist) living with all.  She enjoys chase, wrestling, bitey-face, as well as kissy-face and snuggling.  Zoey thoroughly enjoys the company/interactions with other dogs, but we don't think having another social dog in the home is critical .  Zoey loves to go for car rides and will run errands with you for hours without a single peep from her in the back seat.

While Zoey is not your typical puppy and not the kind of pup that most adopters are looking for, we are confident that she will blossom, make an excellent companion, and live a full, long life in a home that understands her needs and is willing to put in the work necessary to bond with her and continue to teach her that people can be trusted. We think that Zoey's ideal home will have one or two adult family members, and low foot traffic/visitors. The occasional well-managed visitor (adult or child) will be good practice for her, but her family will need to be committed to continuing her trust-building work and managing her exposure as relevant for her comfort level.   While Zoey was recently living in a foster home with a child, we believe that she will do best in a home without children and the erratic movements and noises that they (and their friends) bring. Importantly, we are seeing that once she truly trusts you as an individual (which can take a few weeks or more)  your erratic movements and noises don't both her!

Zoey hasn’t let her rough start in life bring her down; she is as hopeful as ever that there is the right family out there for her! Is Zoey your missing piece?

Southern Charm pups’ story: The litter was unplanned. The owner turned to our partner rescue organization for help in finding homes for these healthy happy pups. The litter is five beautiful girls – Ellie, Dixie, Dolly, Zoey and Josie and their four handsome brothers Petey, Eddie, Gus, and Rhett.  PS  Mom is now spayed, too!

Medical Note:   Zoey is currently taking anti-anxiety medications under the guidance of her veterinary and behavioral team to help her process and make progress throughout this transitional period of her life.  Only time and further work will tell if she will graduate from these medications; she may always benefit from them.  These medications are relatively inexpensive (averaging under $15/month, depending upon the pharmacy used).  Use of these medications will be discussed in full during Zoey's adoption process.

Medical Note: A littermate of this dog tested positive and was treated for demodectic mange while in the SOS program. This dog has also been preventatively treated and currently shows no symptoms of demodectic mange. Please note that demodex can have a hereditary component and/or flare up in any dog in times of stress (e.g., transport, transition to a new home, change in food, etc.). As such, the adopter is advised to discuss this condition and best next steps with their veterinarian. SOS recommends that dogs with a personal or family history of demodectic mange be kept on regular NexGard or Bravecto for flea/tick prevention for at least 3 months after adoption or until 18 months of age. Please see here for more information on demodectic mange: http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/mange-demodectic-in-dogs/741. Please check with your vet if you should have any questions or concerns about this condition and discuss any concerns you may have with your SOS Adoption Counselor.

**Additional info you should know - For most of our dogs, we are only guessing at predominant breed or breed mix. We get to know each of our dogs as an individual and do our best to describe and place them based on personality not breed label. Some dogs may not yet be in New England, nor ready for immediate adoption. There may be additional vetting, quarantine, waiting periods and/or fees depending upon your state of residence. If you have questions or concerns on any of this, you can discuss this with your Adoption Counselor.